Switch Or Relay Patents (Class 340/644)
  • Patent number: 11799786
    Abstract: This application discloses a data traffic management method and apparatus. The method includes: obtaining traffic control information of a first application and a data traffic value used by the first application, where the traffic control information includes at least an upper traffic threshold; and disconnecting a data connection of the first application when the data traffic value used by the first application is greater than or equal to the upper traffic threshold included in the traffic control information of the first application. In the foregoing solution, real-time traffic management on a single application is implemented, so that a user instantly modifies traffic control information according to a requirement, to manage data traffic in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Honor Device Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiaochen Chen, Qingquan Peng, Peili Xu, Shuaisheng Guo, Chao Jiang
  • Patent number: 11349767
    Abstract: This application discloses a data traffic management method and apparatus. The method includes: obtaining traffic control information of a first application and a data traffic value used by the first application, where the traffic control information includes at least an upper traffic threshold; and disconnecting a data connection of the first application when the data traffic value used by the first application is greater than or equal to the upper traffic threshold included in the traffic control information of the first application. In the foregoing solution, real-time traffic management on a single application is implemented, so that a user instantly modifies traffic control information according to a requirement, to manage data traffic in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Honor Device Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiaochen Chen, Qingquan Peng, Peili Xu, Shuaisheng Guo, Chao Jiang
  • Patent number: 11056300
    Abstract: A circuit breaker, comprising an enclosure comprising: —at least two arcing contacts that are movable axially relative to each other, between an open position of the circuit breaker in which the arcing contacts are separated from each other and a closed position of the circuit breaker in which the arcing contacts are in contact with each other; and —a gas inlet configured to blow an arc-control gas in order to interrupt an electric arc that is likely to form during movement of the arcing contacts from the closed position to the open position of the circuit breaker, wherein the arc-control gas comprises at least 80% of carbon dioxide; wherein the enclosure further comprises a catalytic material, which converts carbon monoxide that forms after ionization of the carbon dioxide during arcing, into carbon dioxide, said catalytic material comprising ceria and a precious metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Yannick Kieffel, Louis Maksoud
  • Patent number: 10525296
    Abstract: A supervised fire suppression system (10) is disclosed that includes a valve assembly for controlling the release of a fire extinguishing agent from a container (17), an actuator (25) operatively associated with the valve assembly for actuating the valve assembly in the event of a fire, wherein the actuator may be removed from the system for periodic inspection and/or maintenance, and an externally mounted supervisory switching device (16, 30) configured to interact with the actuator to provide an indication relating to removal or disengagement of the actuator from the system for periodic inspection and/or maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Kjellman
  • Patent number: 10481195
    Abstract: A method and system of a distributed power line diagnosis includes one or more electrical readings received at a firmware board computation engine and an output of firmware board engine computation being transmitted through a wide communication network to a data hub computation engine. An output of the data hub computation engine is transmitted through the communication network to a big data server. One or more electrical line issues are visualized based on an analysis through the big data server and the same can be indicated through a user interface dynamic and an alarm can be set as well through the processor for the one or more electrical line issues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: MachineSense, LLC
    Inventors: Biplab Pal, Utpal Manna, Maniruz Zaman
  • Patent number: 9541604
    Abstract: A voltage is sensed at a switching device and the voltage is associated with a status of a switching device. The sensed voltage is converted to a useable voltage regardless of the value and type of the sensed voltage. At a single self-contained integrated circuit that is powered by the sensed voltage, the usable voltage is converted into a digital representation. The digital representation is configured to be usable by a processing device to determine the value of the voltage at the switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: GE INTELLIGENT PLATFORMS, INC.
    Inventors: Parag Vishwanath Acharya, Ravindra Mahavir Desai
  • Patent number: 9331682
    Abstract: A method of monitoring an analog signal output from a sensor comprising comparing the amplitude of the analog signal to a first high and low threshold, setting a primary monitoring signal to a first value when the amplitude of the analog signal exceeds the first high threshold, setting the primary monitoring signal to a second value when the amplitude of the analog signal decreases below the first low threshold, comparing the amplitude of the analog signal to a second high and low threshold, setting a secondary monitoring signal to a first value when the amplitude of the analog signal exceeds the second high threshold, setting the secondary monitoring signal to a second value when the amplitude of the analog signal decreases below the second low threshold, comparing the primary and secondary monitoring signals and determining from the comparison whether an error exists with the monitoring of the analog signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Limited
    Inventors: Philip J. Agar, Mitchell Couper
  • Patent number: 9300125
    Abstract: An improved overload relay includes a number of current transformers that draw power from a circuit it protects to power itself. The current transformers charge a capacitor which powers a processor and which can energize a solenoid to initiate the interruption of the circuit. The overload relay further includes a capacitor analysis circuit which detects an operational parameter of the capacitor and enables a processor to determine when the energy storage capability of the capacitor has dropped to a predetermined threshold. In the event of such a determination, the overload relay can perform any of a number of actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew Wilbur Naiva, Mark Alan Verheyen, Joseph Daniel Riley
  • Patent number: 9287985
    Abstract: A portable electronic device with an IrDA transmitter LED is used to transmit both IrDA signals and remote control infrared signals. The device transmits remote control infrared signals with reduced power consumption. During a relatively longer remote control signal pulse, an inductor saturates and stores energy when a drive current flows from a power supply, through the inductor and then through the LED. An energy-transferring circuit transfers a portion of the energy stored in the inductor to the power supply. Energy is transferred when the drive current is cut and the voltage across the inductor surges, which causes an overflow current to flow through a diode in the energy-transferring circuit and to the power supply. The inductor is a planar coil of traces on a printed circuit board and therefore costs less to manufacture than does a toroidal coil of wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: IXYS Intl Limited
    Inventor: Alan Grace
  • Patent number: 9159512
    Abstract: An electromagnetic opening/closing device A1 includes a detector 5 for detecting an opened or closed state of a contact unit 1; a malfunction determination unit 6 configured to determine presence or absence of malfunction based on the opened or closed state of the contact unit 1 detected through the detector 5 and an opened or closed state of the contact unit 1 corresponding to an exterior command; and an output unit 8 configured to supply an exterior with a determination result by the malfunction determination unit 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Kodama, Takeshi Okada
  • Patent number: 9035782
    Abstract: A transfer switch configured to detect a ground current is configured to selectively connect a first power source or a second power source to a load. Each of the power sources includes at least one “hot” lead and one neutral lead, and the transfer switch is configured to switch both the “hot” and the neutral leads. If the neutral switching portion of the transfer switch fails, current may be supplied to the load via the “hot” lead of one of the power sources and return from the load via a ground conductor and the neutral lead of the other power source. The transfer switch includes a current sensor, detecting current on the ground conductor, in order to detect such a condition. The signal from the current sensor is provided to a control circuit, which, in turn, activates an indicator if the current on the ground conductor exceeds a predefined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Reliance Controls Corporation
    Inventor: Michael O. Flegel
  • Patent number: 8994543
    Abstract: A diagnosis and maintenance device is provided for a switchgear assembly, for example, a low-voltage switchgear assembly. The diagnosis and maintenance device includes a data processing device and at least one first, internal interface device, which is connected to at least one connected and communication-capable apparatus in the switchgear assembly in a communicating manner and polls and/or processes the diagnosis and maintenance information and/or status information of the connected and communication-capable apparatus and provides said information in an accessible manner as usable and/or human-readable information and/or outputs and/or displays said information as usable and/or human-readable information. A switchgear assembly having such a device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: ABB AG
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Merkel, Matthias Forstbach, Ralf Graf
  • Patent number: 8952826
    Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes, a first contact and a second contact, the second contact being moveable relative to the first contact, a drive assembly structured to move the second contact relative to the first contact, and an erosion monitoring device including a linear transducer coupled to a portion of the drive assembly. The liner transducer is structured to generate an output signal representative of an amount of linear displacement of the portion of the drive assembly, wherein the erosion monitoring device is structured to monitor a degree of erosion of at least one of the first contact and the second contact based on the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Brad R. Leccia, Steven Castelein, Robert Yanniello, Johan De Jong
  • Patent number: 8917185
    Abstract: An appliance alarm assembly indicates unauthorized use of an appliance. The assembly includes a cover having a first wall and a perimeter wall coupled to and extending from the first wall defining an enclosed interior space. An attachment member is coupled to the cover for coupling the cover to an appliance such that the cover is positioned over a control panel of the appliance. A pressure switch is coupled to the cover and includes a sensor arm extending outwardly from the cover. The pressure switch is tripped by movement of the sensor arm. The pressure switch activates an alarm coupled to the cover upon the pressure switch being tripped by movement of the sensor arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: Jan Brano
  • Patent number: 8868900
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method of lowering power consumption. The method includes temporarily disabling a plurality of status indicators on a plurality of electronic components without disabling the operation of the electronic components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Eugene Pakenham
  • Publication number: 20140300481
    Abstract: A relay fault detection and correction system includes a signal detector structured to measure primary and secondary signals, and generates a fault output signal if the signals appear to be unterminated due to a relay not connecting the signals to the loads. A cycle circuit is structured to cause a relay controller to cycle a potentially under-performing relay between its states a number of times after the signal detector generates the fault output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Overton, Robert Davies, Thomas Chabreck
  • Patent number: 8847776
    Abstract: A system for processing sensor information in a wireless communications device, comprising a sensor processing module for execution by the microprocessor, the sensor processing module being configured to: receive a signal representing the state of the sensor; and process the received signal to determine whether there is a change in a state of the device; wherein processing the received signal includes implementation of a hysteresis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Conor O'Neill, Conrad Kreek, Jerry Mailloux, Darcy Phipps
  • Publication number: 20140285347
    Abstract: A sound and illumination system for a handbag is provided. The handbag includes at least one wall defining an opening and an interior compartment that is accessible therethrough. The opening is configured for being selectively placed in an opened position to allow access to the interior compartment. The system comprises a sound module configured for emitting sound upon activation of the sound module, the sound being generated based upon an audio file stored in a memory. An illumination module is configured for emitting light upon activation of the illumination module, the light being emitted based upon a light emission file stored in the memory. A mounting system is configured for attaching the sound and illumination modules with the wall of the handbag. A switch mechanism is configured for selectively activating the sound and illumination modules to emit light and sound within the interior compartment of the handbag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Timothy A. Kearns, Steven A. Tobenkin
  • Publication number: 20140266750
    Abstract: An apparatus for testing working voltage of a central processing unit (CPU) includes a programmable logic device (PLD) having a dummy load, a voltage regulating controller, a CPU socket and a south bridge. The CPU socket is electrically connected to the voltage regulating controller via a series voltage identification (SVID) bus. The south bridge outputs a CPU voltage determining signal. The dummy load is electrically connected to the voltage regulating controller via the SVID bus. The PLD receives the CPU voltage determining signal, and outputs a voltage requesting signal via the SVID bus. The voltage regulating controller receives the voltage requesting signal, and outputs a CPU working voltage to the CPU socket accordingly. The PLD detects the CPU working voltage on the CPU socket, and determines whether the CPU working voltage meets requirements of specification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD
    Inventor: MING YU
  • Patent number: 8816869
    Abstract: The circuit monitoring device is disclosed. The device is for monitoring circuit resistance. At configurable thresholds digital flags are triggered, the device can be used as a Security/Building management system. The device uses open technology is fully scaleable and allows programmable logic controllers to be used as security management systems. Using a soft logic option a PC could take the place of the PLC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Tessler Research Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Eric Bullmore
  • Publication number: 20140218200
    Abstract: A circuit protection apparatus is disclosed. A peripheral interface includes a first power node and a second power node. The circuit protection apparatus includes an auxiliary power supply circuit, a power converter, a first switch, a second switch, a power switch circuit, a warning circuit, and a controller. When a load is plugged to the peripheral interface, the first switch turns on, and the controller is enabled and outputs a control signal, so as to drive the power converter to output power. When the current between input terminal and output terminal of the power switch circuit is larger than a predetermined current, the controller receives the error flag logical voltage outputted by the power switch circuit, cuts off the current between input terminal and output terminal of the power switch circuit, and stops the operations of the power converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: SHU-LING CHEN, CHUN-FU LIN
  • Patent number: 8717186
    Abstract: For detecting swelling in batteries supplying power to electrical equipment, at least one contact sensor such as quantum tunneling composite (“QTC”) based pressure-capacitive sensor coated on one surface with a layer of conductive material such as indium tin oxide (“ITO”) or a capacitive sensor coated with the same conductive material is used for attachment to each battery. A capacitance measuring module including a microcontroller is connected to the contact sensor and measures the capacitance of the ITO—coated conductor. If the capacitance under measurement represents an increase in capacitance exceeding a predetermined threshold, indicative of battery swelling, a call for battery replacement and interruption of battery power to the electrical equipment are initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventor: Xunwei Zhou
  • Patent number: 8698069
    Abstract: A slit is formed in a plunger of a limit switch in such a manner that an amount of light incident on a light receiving element is changed in accordance with displacement of the plunger. The limit switch is provided with a setting processing unit (123) for setting a voltage value outputted from the light receiving element as a threshold value when a setting instruction is inputted in a state where the plunger is displaced to a designated position by a user, a position detecting unit (113) for performing detection processing of detecting whether or not the plunger is placed at a closer position to a reference position than to the designated position by comparing the set threshold value and the voltage value outputted from the light receiving element, and an output signal controlling unit (119) for outputting a signal based on a result of the detection processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventors: Kokichi Tobita, Kazuaki Morita
  • Patent number: 8692680
    Abstract: A residual-current circuit breaker includes at least one summation current transformer through which a first lead and a second lead of a network to be protected are guided. At least one secondary winding is arranged on the summation current transformer and operatively connected, at least indirectly, with an energy storage element. A trip element is operatively connected with break contacts in the first and second leads. In order to reduce expected cut-offs of a network to be protected, an electric signaling device is operatively connected, at least indirectly, with the energy storage element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Moeller Geräudeautomation GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Dobusch, Michael Bartonek
  • Publication number: 20140070953
    Abstract: A relay and a method for indicating a relay failure may be provided, whereby the relay comprises a switch assembly capable of providing a trigger signal based on a switching status; an energisation element capable of energisation to affect the switch assembly; and a light indication for indicating a switching status of the switch assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES SAS
    Inventors: Sachin Sakharam Chopade, Yong Meng Wah, Ya Chee Yeong
  • Publication number: 20140028452
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a remote annunciator 10 that includes an enclosure 11 and a control 12 within the enclosure 11. The control 12 receives signals S from a plurality of transfer switches 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D and at least one generator 14 that is connected to at least one of the transfer switches 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D. The control 12 displays a status of electrical connections that include the plurality of transfer switches 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D and the at least one generator 14. In some embodiments, the control 12 recognizes when the plurality of transfer switches 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D and the at least one generator 14 are connected to the control 12.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Eric D. Albsmeier, Michael T. Little, Anthony J. Hackbarth
  • Patent number: 8629775
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to simplified monitoring and transmission of a binary switch position by means of coded switching, in which corrections caused by different pulse edge delays are eliminated. According to the disclosure, an auxiliary voltage which is to be transmitted when the switch position is closed is coded using two identical pulse edges of two different pulses, that is to say using either the two connection edges or the two disconnection edges of the two pulses. As a result, the previously known pulse duration modulation is replaced with modulation of the delay time between the two pulses. The two pulses mentioned can be repeatedly generated inside a basic period, which is independent of the auxiliary voltage, and have, for distinguishing purposes, a connection duration or pulse length which is different but is independent of the auxiliary voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Christian Borner, Ivan Mettler
  • Patent number: 8624601
    Abstract: System and methods are provided for monitoring a state of a switch element connecting a DC power supply to a load. A system includes a transformer having first and second windings, where a first end of the second winding electrically coupled to a first switch node of the switch element. The system also includes a transmit circuit configured for providing a waveform at the first winding and a sensor element having galvanically isolated input and output nodes for inducing a monitor signal at the output nodes in response to a signal at the input nodes. The system further includes a receive circuit coupled to the output nodes and configured for generating one or more output signals in response to the monitor signal. The system also includes capacitor elements for providing DC isolation for the second winding with respect to the first switch node and the sensor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Enerdel, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Kimes, David Albean, Ronald Jaeger, Charlie Capps, Timothy Scalzo, David Heady
  • Patent number: 8599883
    Abstract: A transit time fixation device and a control method of the same is provided which can constantly fix transmission delay time in relation to synchronous frames, and allows a high accuracy sampling synchronization control. The frame 101 from a client 3C1 is input to a transit time fixation device 2 via a port 21P1. A frame type judgment part 25a in a control circuit 25 judges the frame type of the frame 101 transmitted from the client 3C1. A destination judgment part 25b acquires a destination address from the received frame 101 to specify a frame control circuit 24Cn+1 to perform a delay process. The frame 101 judged a synchronous frame is delayed at a specific time by a specific time delay part 26a in the specified frame control circuit 24Cn+1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Tatsuya Karino
  • Patent number: 8599029
    Abstract: An electrical circuit identification means is revealed. The electrical circuit identification device includes a signal generator connected directly to an AC power socket and a signal receiver set in a power control panel. The signal generator blocks a half cycle of sine waves and produces a short off-and-off signal at an interval. The signal receiver includes a signal sensor receiving signals from the signal generator and connected to both a control voltage divider and a signal strength switch for modulating and amplifying signals received by the control voltage divider, and a signal integration module that is connected to the signal strength switch and a microcontroller for outputting digital signals with different waveform. An identification system in the microcontroller cross checks the digital signals and the identification accuracy is determined according to the position of a light lit up in an indicator light module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Peaceful Thriving Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shih-Hsiang Chien
  • Publication number: 20130314237
    Abstract: A relay with an intermediate alert mechanism and a method for producing an intermediate alert in association with a relay. The relay comprises an input sampling module configured to detect a parameter of a source to be monitored; a processing module configured to determine a working range based on a threshold level and a working condition, and the processing module further configured to automatically determine at least one intermediate level within the working range based on the threshold level. The processing module causes the transmission of an intermediate trigger signal when the detected value of the parameter reaches the intermediate level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventor: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
  • Patent number: 8547241
    Abstract: An alarm unit for signaling impending overflow of a urine or ostomy (waste) bag includes an external magnet held at the end of an arm. An internal ferrous armature attracts the magnet which provides flux holding a switch element open when the magnet provides at least a predetermined flux to the switch. A clamp allows the user to fasten the unit to an edge of the waste bag with the bag walls between the magnet and the armature. When the bag contents reach the magnet, fluid force of the bag contents separates the magnet and the armature, causing the switch element to close and conduct power from a power supply to a signal element. The arm may be flexible. The switch element preferably comprises a reed switch controlling an electronic power switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Medi Bag Alarm Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy R. Collins, Brian D. Collins, Quentin F. Smisek, Daniel J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20130222145
    Abstract: An appliance warning system comprises a floor pad for location on or adjacent a device such that a user must stand on the floor pad in order to normally use the device. The floor pad has at least one switch movable between an open position when no weight pressure is detected on the floor pad and a closed position when the switch is activated by weight pressure detected on the floor pad. A transmitter is provided for transmitting a signal depending upon whether the switch is in the open or closed position. A warning device is activated when the switch has been in the open position for a preselected period of time after having been in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventor: Rodolfo Garcia
  • Patent number: 8514092
    Abstract: An alarm circuit is for a fan. The alarm circuit includes a direct current converting circuit, a first electronic switch, a second electronic switch, a clock chip, and a light emitting diode. When the fan does not operate, the light emitting diode blinks to warn the user that the fan may have a problem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiang Cao, Hai-Qing Zhou
  • Patent number: 8482421
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a patch cord connection are presented. The insertion of a patch cord into a device jack physically closes a circuit, thereby permitting determination of the patch cord connection. The connection of only one side of a patch cord to a jack is able to be determined. In addition, a particular jack with which a patch cord is connected is able to be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Nordin, Brian D. Leshin
  • Publication number: 20130141244
    Abstract: An electrical circuit identification means is revealed. The electrical circuit identification device includes a signal generator connected directly to an AC power socket and a signal receiver set in a power control panel. The signal generator blocks a half cycle of sine waves and produces a short off-and-off signal at an interval. The signal receiver includes a signal sensor receiving signals from the signal generator and connected to both a control voltage divider and a signal strength switch for modulating and amplifying signals received by the control voltage divider, and a signal integration module that is connected to the signal strength switch and a microcontroller for outputting digital signals with different waveform. An identification system in the microcontroller cross checks the digital signals and the identification accuracy is determined according to the position of a light lit up in an indicator light module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: PEACEFUL THRIVING ENTERPRISE CO., LTD
    Inventor: Shih-Hsiang Chien
  • Patent number: 8456319
    Abstract: A lighting device includes a touch switch with touch contacts 304, 306, located on the grip of the lighting device is that the light 312 can be turned on when the contacts are bridged by the hand of a user. An electronic circuit 300 includes a latching arrangement 302, 316 to latch the light on. The light can be dimmed by use of a further touch contact 308.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Baker, David R. Dulton, Patrick M. Conrick
  • Publication number: 20130135111
    Abstract: A current switch self-calibrates when a reset control is actuated and displays an expected current in the monitored conductor, one or more trip points of the current switch and the last known current in the monitored conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: Veris Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Joel Edward Hart, Mark D. Rowan, Troy Earl Wecker
  • Patent number: 8405514
    Abstract: A power detection and indication circuit device includes a processor, a signal conditioning circuit coupled to the processor and an indicator coupled to the signal conditioning circuit. The power detection and indication circuit performs a test to determine the presence of a switch coupled to the processor through the conditioning circuit. In response to determining that the switch is coupled to the processor through the conditioning circuit, the power detection and indication circuit performs a test to determine a status of the switch and provides an indication of the status of the switch using the indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Srinivasan Kadathur, Stephen Seitsinger, John Stuewe
  • Publication number: 20130063280
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of methods, devices and systems of phase functionality for a meter. One aspect comprises a method of phase functionality for a meter. One embodiment of the method comprises determining a load value for each phase of a poly-phase electrical system; comparing, using a processor, the load value for each phase of a poly-phase electrical system with a respective threshold value for each phase of the poly-phase electrical system; and opening or closing one or more relays based on the comparison, wherein the one or more relays are each associated with respective phase of the poly-phase electrical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Balakrishna Pamulaparthy, George Paul Gerdan
  • Patent number: 8390465
    Abstract: A residual-current circuit breaker includes at least one summation current transformer through which at least one first lead and one second lead of a network to be protected are guided. At least one secondary winding is arranged on the summation current transformer and operatively connected at least indirectly with at least one energy storage element. At least one discharging resistor is switched in parallel with the energy storage element. The residual-current circuit breaker has a trip element which is operatively connected with break contacts in the at least one first lead and the at least one second lead. In order to reduce unexpected cut-offs of a network to be protected, the at least one discharging resistor includes a first partial resistor, and a second partial resistor switched in series with respect to the first partial resistor, with a least one electric signaling device operatively connected, at least indirectly, with the first partial resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Moeller Gebaudeautomation GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Meisel, Georg Ritzinger
  • Patent number: 8358223
    Abstract: The vessel control device disclosed herein comprises a channel-mounted, spring-loaded eyebolt that trails a floating line. It also embodies a latch mechanism, a cable release device and an electrical switch. By the action of grabbing the line the man overboard victim (MOB) can stop the vessel by himself; then use the line to reboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Inventors: James B. Read, Abbie Ann Read
  • Patent number: 8334784
    Abstract: Activity sensing in the home has a variety of important applications, including healthcare, entertainment, home automation, energy monitoring and post-occupancy research studies. Many existing systems for detecting occupant activity require large numbers of sensors, invasive vision systems, or extensive installation procedures. Disclosed is an approach that uses a single plug-in sensor to detect a variety of electrical events throughout the home. This sensor detects the electrical noise on residential power lines created by the abrupt switching of electrical devices and the noise created by certain devices while in operation. Machine learning techniques are used to recognize electrically noisy events such as turning on or off a particular light switch, a television set, or an electric stove. The system has been tested to evaluate system performance over time and in different types of houses. Results indicate that various electrical events can be learned and classified with accuracies ranging from 85-90%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Belkin International Inc.
    Inventors: Shwetak N. Patel, Thomas M. Robertson, Gregory D. Abowd, Matthew S. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 8305199
    Abstract: A wireless remote control device for controlling an electronic device includes a switch module, a wireless transmission module, a wireless receiving module and a control module. The switch module receives a DC voltage and outputs a first control signal. The wireless transmission module receives the first control signal and encodes the first control signal to output an encoded first control signal. The wireless receiving module receives the encoded first control signal and decodes the encoded first control signal to output a decoded first control signal. The control module receives the decoded first control signal and outputs a second control signal to turn on/off or reset the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yan-Hui Wu, Ya-Jun Pan, Song-Lin Tong
  • Publication number: 20120268282
    Abstract: An alarm circuit is for a fan. The alarm circuit includes a direct current converting circuit, a first electronic switch, a second electronic switch, a clock chip, and a light emitting diode. When the fan does not operate, the light emitting diode blinks to warn the user that the fan may have a problem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: XIANG CAO, HAI-QING ZHOU
  • Publication number: 20120262300
    Abstract: A diagnosis and maintenance device is provided for a switchgear assembly, for example, a low-voltage switchgear assembly. The diagnosis and maintenance device includes a data processing device and at least one first, internal interface device, which is connected to at least one connected and communication-capable apparatus in the switchgear assembly in a communicating manner and polls and/or processes the diagnosis and maintenance information and/or status information of the connected and communication-capable apparatus and provides said information in an accessible manner as usable and/or human-readable information and/or outputs and/or displays said information as usable and/or human-readable information. A switchgear assembly having such a device is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: ABB AG
    Inventors: Hans-Peter MERKEL, Matthias Forstbach, Ralf Graf
  • Patent number: 8265908
    Abstract: Protection, measurement and control IEDs in a substation compute if switches they control may be operated safely, according to interlocking rules or physical principles as well as the dynamic topology of the substation. The IEDs have access to the substation electrical topology, to real-time information generated by other IEDs, and to the rules for interlocking. A standardized Substation Configuration Description (SCD) of the substation for which a Substation Automation system is intended, and a standardized description of the implemented device functions or capabilities of an individual IED are utilized. The substation topology is available from SCD file, real time information about the position of switches and line voltage/current can be obtained via an appropriate protocol, and the interlocking rules are available in script form. These features apply both to simulated and real devices, and increase system testing possibilities by supporting an efficient configuration of a simulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd
    Inventors: Hubert Kirrmann, Michael Obrist, Wolfgang Wimmer
  • Publication number: 20120206267
    Abstract: An indicator apparatus is provided which may be wrapped around and/or may encase a key fob that wirelessly locks and unlocks doors of a vehicle. The apparatus includes first and second spaced apart switches which are respectively associated with first and second light emitters and which are aligned to cover the respective lock and unlock buttons of the key fob. A controller is responsive to activation of the first and second switches to store data in the memory that represents which of the first and second switches was activated most recently. The controller is responsive to activation of the third switch and the data stored in the memory to cause the respective first or second light emitter to emit light when the data stored in the memory is indicative of the respective first or second switch being activated more recently than the other one of the first or second switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: DFR GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Mitchell V. Holden, Dennis F. Reese
  • Patent number: 8242922
    Abstract: A reminder device includes a controller, a switch, and an annunciator. When a user closes the switch, the controller turns on the annunciator for a fixed period of time. The annunciator may be a light source such as a flashing LED or an audio indicator. The signal from the annunciator communicates to a user that a particular task, such as taking a pill or locking a car door, has been completed and need not be further verified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventor: Bitak Ahi Varasteh
  • Patent number: 8203437
    Abstract: A programmable graphical display switch is described herein that provides users with a way of controlling other devices and for customizing how that control is initiated and communicated to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventors: Steven R. Galipeau, Rory G. Briski