With Specific Circuit Breaker Or Control Structure Patents (Class 361/115)
  • Patent number: 10249464
    Abstract: A modular circuit breaker includes a module assembly coupled to a primary assembly. The primary assembly includes a primary housing, separable contacts disposed therein, a first terminal conductor electrically connected to one of the separable contacts, a conductive tab electrically connected to another one of the separable contacts and which extends outward from a first end of the primary housing, an operating mechanism disposed in the primary housing for selectively opening and closing the separable contacts, and a trip mechanism disposed in the primary housing cooperative with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. The module assembly includes a module housing having a second terminal conductor positioned therein and electrically connected to the conductive tab, a third terminal conductor structured to be electrically connected to a neutral conductor of a load, and a fourth terminal conductor structured to be coupled to a neutral bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Somashekharayya Hiremath, Sandy Omar Jimenez
  • Patent number: 10230220
    Abstract: A motor control unit (MCU) and methods of operating the same are provided. The MCU includes a housing enclosing a retractable stab assembly (RSA) having stabs attached thereto. The MCU further includes a bracket assembly having a mount for securing the bracket assembly to the RSA, guiderails for slideably engaging the RSA to facilitate the extending and retracting motion, and a lead screw accessible via an opening in the front of the housing. Rotating the lead screw causes the RSA to extend and retract which engages and disengages the stabs. The MCU also includes a motor assembly having a drive motor coupled to a drive shaft. The motor rotates the shaft in response to control signals from a remote-device. The motor assembly attaches to the housing such that the rotation of the shaft in response to the signals rotates the lead screw to engage and disengage the stabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.
    Inventors: Ali Ali, John Kaminski, Jeffrey D. Lord, Ajit Pharne
  • Patent number: 10224145
    Abstract: A transformer assembly comprises at least one transformer having a core. A primary winding is positioned on a first portion, a secondary winding is positioned on a second portion of the core. A neutral winding may be positioned on a third portion of the core. The secondary winding may receive an induced flux produced by an earth surface potential (ESP) via a system ground and/or receive an induced zero sequence flux produced by a non-linear load. The neutral winding may be configured to provide a mitigating flux to the secondary winding. The transformer may also be used as a filter for either GIC or triplen harmonic mitigation. In this case, the primary windings receive the zero sequence current (GIC or triplen harmonics) and the flux may be cancelled in neutral winding such that the zero sequence currents circulate between the zero sequence source and the filter transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Francisco De Leon, Baris Kovan
  • Patent number: 10193328
    Abstract: A system and method for preventing a transformer from catching the fire due to internal faults is provided. The system includes a first set of sensors, a timer connected to the first set of sensors, a first breaker, a set of relays and a controller. The first set of sensors is configured to sense the generation of arc. As soon as the arc is detected, incoming supply to the transformer is isolated and the timer is triggered for a pre-determined time to measure the duration for which the faulty condition is persisting in the transformer. This faulty condition will be sensed through the set of relays. When such an abnormal condition persists for a duration set on the trigger of the system, beyond which the controller issues a signal to isolate the power supply. A method of using the system for preventing fire due to internal faults is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: EASUN-MR TAP CHANGERS (P) LTD
    Inventor: Shrikant Balkrishna Potnis
  • Patent number: 10164541
    Abstract: A power supply unit includes a conversion circuit that performs power conversion of power input into the power supply unit to supply direct-current power to an output path of the power supply unit, a control circuit that controls the conversion circuit so that output voltage supplied from the conversion circuit to the output path has a fixed value if output current supplied from the conversion circuit to the output path is lower than or equal to an overcurrent trip point and controls the conversion circuit so that the output voltage is decreased if the output current exceeds the overcurrent trip point, a monitoring circuit that monitors a discharge output from a discharge circuit to the output path, and a trip point changing circuit that increases the overcurrent trip point if the discharge output monitored by the monitoring circuit is decreased to a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Koichi Onodera, Hironobu Kageyama
  • Patent number: 10153635
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting a falling power line in a power transmission or distribution system are described. Electrical measurements at various points in the power distribution system are used to detect changes in a power line indicating that the conductor has broken or become disconnected. Upon detection, control mechanisms are used to deenergize the conductor while the conductor is falling and/or before it contacts the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: San Diego Gas & Electric Company
    Inventors: William O'Brien, Eric A. Udren
  • Patent number: 10147620
    Abstract: A workpiece holder includes a puck, first and second heating devices in thermal communication with respective inner and outer portions of the puck, and a thermal sink in thermal communication with the puck. The first and second heating devices are independently controllable, and the first and second heating devices are in greater thermal communication with the puck, than thermal communication of the thermal sink with the puck. A method of controlling temperature distribution of a workpiece includes flowing a heat exchange fluid through a thermal sink to establish a reference temperature to a puck, raising temperatures of radially inner and outer portions of the puck to first and second temperatures greater than the reference temperature, by activating respective first and second heating devices disposed in thermal communication with the radially inner and outer portions of the puck, and placing the workpiece on the puck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: David Benjaminson, Dmitry Lubomirsky, Ananda Seelavanth Math, Saravanakumar Natarajan, Shubham Chourey
  • Patent number: 10141923
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for eliminating gate voltage oscillation without increasing switching power loss in paralleled power semiconductor switches at high current turn-off. The damping circuit includes a switch for driving voltage and multiple resistors and multiple inductors. The damping circuit includes multiple capacitors connected to the multiple inductors. The damping circuit includes multiple power semiconductor switches that are connected to the multiple inductors at gate terminals. The damping circuit includes multiple gate terminal resistors connected in parallel to the multiple power semiconductor switches at the gate terminals and multiple gate terminal switches connected to the multiple gate terminal resistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Jongwon Shin
  • Patent number: 10127173
    Abstract: A connecting device comprises housing, a board with electrical components, including at least one digital bus connection and an input/output section. It allows outsourcing of analog and digital I/O from a connected device, e.g. an HVAC actuator control unit by decentralizing inputs and outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: BELIMO HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Peter Schmidlin, Silvio Grogg
  • Patent number: 10110061
    Abstract: An energy storage device for storing energy for a stationary AC voltage grid includes a control device; and at least two switching units. Each switching unit includes multiple storage elements for storing a part of the energy, a converter having an AC voltage connection for connection to the AC voltage grid and a DC voltage connection, and a multiplexer switching device electrically connected with the DC voltage connection of the converter and with one of the storage elements via a respective storage connection. The multiplexer switching device is configured to select one of the storage connections in dependence on a selection signal generated by the control device and to electrically connect only the one storage connection selected by multiplexer switching device with the DC voltage connection of the converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Michael Hinterberger, Berthold Hellenthal, Uwe Opitz
  • Patent number: 10109996
    Abstract: A system for detecting miswiring in an AC power supply for an appliance may comprise a voltage sensor sensing the voltage of a first hot line of the power supply for powering light electrical loads, a phase sensor sensing the phase difference between the first and a second hot line powering heavy electrical loads therebetween, and a control module coupling to the phase and voltage sensors. The control module may identify a first fault condition indicating that the second hot line and a neutral line are reversed when the voltage of the first hot line exceeds a threshold, and may identify a second fault condition indicating that the first hot line and the neutral line are reversed when the phase signal is within a phase threshold measured from 0 degrees. The system may disconnect different electrical loads from the power supply in the first and the second fault conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Alessandro Gigante, Erik P. Oosterwal
  • Patent number: 10103569
    Abstract: A power transmission system includes a plurality of electrical substations and a plurality of transmission lines arranged to connect the plurality of electrical substations to form a power transmission network; and a controller system arranged to control a power transmission within the power transmission network. The controller system includes: a detection module arranged to detect an occurrence of a fault in at least one faulty electrical substation of the plurality of electrical substations; and a restoration module arranged to at least temporally maintain an output power of the at least one faulty electrical substation; and wherein at least one of the plurality of electrical substations is operable to facilitate maintaining of the output of the at least one faulty electrical substation upon the detection of the occurrence of the fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: MACAU UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Zhiwu Li, Zhongyuan Jiang, Naiqi Wu, Mengchu Zhou
  • Patent number: 10090176
    Abstract: A temperature adjustment device includes a holding plate having a placing surface on which a processed substrate is placed. The holding plate includes a heating element capable of heating the processed substrate placed on the placing surface. A base plate that supports the holding plate includes first through holes extending through the base plate in a thickness direction. An adhesive layer, which adheres the base plate and the holding plate, includes second through holes that are respectively in communication with the first through holes. Adjustment rods are respectively inserted into the first through holes. Each of the adjustment rods includes a distal end located in a corresponding one of the second through holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Industries Co., LTD.
    Inventor: Akihiro Kuribayashi
  • Patent number: 10060983
    Abstract: To reliably determine a state variable (G) of a polyphase synchronous machine (1) that is supplied with electric current by a polyphase power network (2) with n phases (U, . . . , N), where n?3, the current values of at least n?1 phase currents (Iu, . . . , In-1) from at least n?1 phases (U, . . . , N-1) of the polyphase power network (2) are detected. The state variable (G) is determined by means of the at least n?1 instantaneous current values (Iu, . . . , In-1), the current values of all n phase currents (Iu, . . . , In) from the n-phase polyphase power network (2) being detected and the n phase currents (Iu, . . . , In) being correlated with one another. The result of the correlation of all n phase currents (Iu, . . . , In) is used for a plausibility check of the n?1 phase currents (Iu, . . . , In-1) used to determine the state variable (G).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: B&R INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION GMBH
    Inventor: Andreas Mayrhofer
  • Patent number: 10060957
    Abstract: A system includes a plurality of power quality devices for continuously measuring and buffering power quality data and transmitting the buffered power quality data on a periodic basis and one or more cloud-based servers communicatively coupled to the plurality of power quality devices. The one or more cloud-based servers are operable to: receive the buffered data transmitted by the power quality devices; decompress and store the buffered data in a database; and display on a web page one or more of a stripchart, daily profile, histogram, waveform, vector diagram, harmonic bar chart, and 3D harmonic graph generated using the stored data. The system also includes one or more computing devices communicatively coupled to the plurality of power quality devices and the one or more cloud-based servers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Power Monitors, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter M. Curt, Christopher Mullins
  • Patent number: 10033201
    Abstract: A battery controller 10 outputs a voltage sampling and holding command signal to an integrated circuit CCn located at an upstream end of cascade connection of integrated circuits CC1-CCn such that integrated circuits CC1-CCn sample and hold output voltages of unit cells 1 grouped into battery modules M1-Mn. The battery controller 10, after transmission of the voltage sampling and holding command signal, outputs a transmission command signal to the integrated circuit CCn at the upstream end of the cascade circuit to transmit output voltages of the unit cells 1 held in the integrated circuits CC1-CCn to the battery controller 10. As a result, a time lag in the detection timings of output voltages of the unit cells 1 of the battery modules M1-Mn can be decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazumi Kaneko, Hirofumi Iguchi, Yuki Takanezawa
  • Patent number: 10033557
    Abstract: Digital video signals are transmitted from a transmitter to a receiver via a digital video interface including shielded twisted pair cables that are surrounded by an over-braid shield. The over-braid shield is connected to a chassis ground at a transmitting end and the receiving end. An interface conveys the received signals to receiver processing circuitry. The interface is connected to an isolated ground, isolating the receiver processing circuitry. The twisted pairs are also connected to the isolated ground, such that a return current is forced back through the twisted pair cable shields rather than the over-braid shield. This reduces electromagnetic emissions and confines transients primarily to the over-braid shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael G. Abernathy, Nathaniel Flournoy Lovelace, III
  • Patent number: 10026636
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to an electrostatic chuck having reduced power loss, and methods and apparatus for reducing power loss in an electrostatic chuck, as well as methods for testing and manufacture thereof. In one embodiment, an electrostatic chuck is provided. The electrostatic chuck includes a conductive base, and a ceramic body disposed on the conductive base, the ceramic body comprising an electrode and one or more heating elements embedded therein, wherein the ceramic body comprises a dissipation factor of about 0.11 to about 0.16 and a capacitance of about 750 picoFarads to about 950 picoFarads between the electrode and the one or more heating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Konstantin Makhratchev, Jennifer Y. Sun
  • Patent number: 10021473
    Abstract: A digital speaker (1) is provided that is equipped with a piezoelectric element (4) including n electrodes (51, 52, 53) spaced apart from one another. Sound pressure is adjusted according to the surface area of the electrodes (51, 52, 53), and all the electrodes (51, 52, 53) can be driven by the same voltage. A speaker system is provided that uses the digital speaker (1) as a tweeter (11), or as all the speakers including a woofer (13). By this speaker system, earphones (8) are provided that are miniaturized and have high sound quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: DAI-ICHI SEIKO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Ogata, Akihiko Hosaka, Yoshiyuki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9991724
    Abstract: A battery management system for a vehicle is provided to prevent current consumption of a battery by operating a relay connected between the battery and electronic loads to prevent an over-discharge of the battery. The battery management system includes a sensing unit that is configured to measure a current and a voltage of a battery for a vehicle and a relay that is connected between the battery for the vehicle and electronic units of the vehicle. Additionally, a controller is configured to receive data from the sensing unit to turn off the relay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Yu Seok Kim, Jin Ho Park, Kyung In Min, Jae Hoon Choi, Dong Gun Kim, Do Kyoung Lim, Jun Ho Bang, Dong Il Kim, Yoon Jun Lee, Hee Tae Yang, Kyun Young Ahn, Kyung Ho Kim, Suk Hyung Kim, Jin Wook Kim
  • Patent number: 9985321
    Abstract: A battery system includes a plurality of battery cells and a battery management unit. The battery management unit comprises a plurality of acquisition devices and a plurality of monitoring devices. Each of the acquisition devices is configured to acquire at least one operating parameter of the battery cells associated therewith. Each of the monitoring devices is associated with a plurality of battery cells, and each of the monitoring devices is configured to monitor the operating parameter of the battery cells associated therewith. The battery cells, which are each associated with one of the monitoring devices, are associated with at least two acquisition devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung, SDI Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Martin Lang
  • Patent number: 9952261
    Abstract: A power distribution unit (PDU) disposable in an electrical equipment rack. The PDU has a housing, a power input penetrating the housing, outlets in the housing, a processor disposed in the housing, voltage and current sensors, and a voltage calculation procedure communicable with the processor. The processor samples voltage and current waveforms and calculates RMS values and other power parameters. A method of managing electrical loads each drawing electrical power from a PDU includes repeatedly sampling voltage across and current flowing through each of the loads, calculating raw RMS values of voltage and current, and scaling the raw RMS values to obtain corrected RMS voltage and current values and other power parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Server Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Carrel W. Ewing, James P. Maskaly, Brian P. Auclair, Dennis W. Mcglumphy
  • Patent number: 9899175
    Abstract: A fail-safe safety switching device comprises first and second input channels for receiving first and second input signals, and a first testing arrangement for testing the first and second input channels. The first input channel comprises a first entry circuit and a first threshold element connected via a first coupling element to a second testing arrangement and a first transition circuit in a galvanically isolated manner. The second input channel comprises a second entry circuit and a second threshold element connected via a second coupling element to a third testing arrangement and a second transition circuit in a galvanically isolated manner. The first testing arrangement comprises a third coupling element, a ground terminal and a group testing terminal. The first and second threshold elements are connected to the ground terminal and via the third coupling element to the group testing terminal in a galvanically isolated manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: PILZ GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Richard Veil, Dietmar Seizinger, Marco Kluge
  • Patent number: 9883549
    Abstract: A substrate support assembly comprises a ceramic puck having a substrate receiving surface and an opposing backside surface. The ceramic puck has an electrode and a heater embedded therein. The heater comprises first and second coils that are radially spaced apart. A base of the support assembly comprises a channel to circulate fluid therethrough, the channel comprising an inlet and terminus that are adjacent to one another so that the channel loops back upon itself. A compliant layer bonds the ceramic puck to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Matyushkin, Dan Katz, John Holland, Theodoros Panagopoulos, Michael D. Willwerth
  • Patent number: 9866211
    Abstract: The invention relates to a surge protection device for a semiconductor switch with an improved response behavior. The protection device comprises a dynamic component together with a static component and a capability to analyze switch operations on the semiconductor switch. The dynamic component of the surge protection device activates in the event of a low surge, but is time-limited, however, with respect to the response behavior. Furthermore, the response of the dynamic component of the surge protection device can also be limited such that a response occurs only after switch operations on the semiconductor switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Laich, Peter Sinn
  • Patent number: 9864010
    Abstract: An interconnection evaluation system according to the present disclosure includes a switchboard including at least one endpoint, at least one endpoint contact tester configured to transmit a digital input signal obtained from each endpoint, an automation tester configured to output a preset digital output signal to the switchboard, and to generate interconnection information at each endpoint by reflecting the digital output signal and digital input signal, and an interface unit configured to generate a switchboard status information of switchboard by reflecting the interconnection information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Woo Seok Lee, Yong Gee Cho
  • Patent number: 9853442
    Abstract: A protection device, externally connectable to an existing circuit breaker with zone selective interlock functionality, enables a circuit breaker to implement directional zone selective interlock. The protection device includes a first input port and a first output port connectable to a circuit breaker, and second and third ports for connecting to a protection device of another circuit breaker and for transmitting interlock signals via an input bus and an output bus inside the EDP. A control unit is configured to enable one of the second and third ports as a second input port and the other as a second output port according to the direction of current currently flowing through the circuit breaker; and configured to forward an interlock signal from the first input port to the output bus and to forward an interlock signal on the input bus received from the second input port to the first output port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Wei Gang Chen, Mario Dankert, Li Ming Huang, Yue Zhuo
  • Patent number: 9842716
    Abstract: A set of circuit interrupters and electrical enclosures that are configured to permit an electrical enclosure having a current rating to have connected therewith a circuit interrupter having a current carrying rating no greater than the current rating. However, a current interrupter having a current carrying rating less than the current rating of the electrical enclosure potentially may be connected therewith. Such electrical interruption equipment employs threaded studs on bus bars that are of varying sizes and/or are separated by varying distances in order to resist an electrical enclosure having a current rating from being electrically connected with a circuit interrupter having a current carrying rating greater than the current rating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Gerard Maloney, Tony Ray Benson, Eric Alan Samuelson
  • Patent number: 9831657
    Abstract: A device for switching a direct current in a pole of a direct current network includes two connecting terminals to be connected in series with the pole, an operating current path extending between the connecting terminals, at least one mechanical switch in the operating current path, a disconnection branch including a power switching unit for shutting down high short-circuit currents having power semiconductor switches that can be switched on and off, and a commutation device for commutating a current from the operating current path to the disconnection branch. In order to provide such a device which is economical, generates fewer losses and at the same time is able to switch high short-circuit currents quickly, the commutation device is provided with at least one inductive component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dominik Ergin, Hans-Joachim Knaak, Richard Zenger
  • Patent number: 9831659
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of devices and related methods for detecting an electrical arc event using a motor management relay and for suppressing the electrical arc event. The motor management relay may incorporate an optical arc-flash sensor configured to detect an optical event. Control logic may analyze the optical event and determine whether the optical event corresponds to an electrical arc event. When an electrical arc event is detected an instruction may be issued via a control port in communication with the control logic to implement a protective action. According to various embodiments, a plurality of sensors for monitoring electrical characteristics of a motor may also be in communication with the control logic. Input from the sensors may be analyzed in order to determine whether the optical event corresponds to an electrical arc event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Angelo D'Aversa, James R. Kesler, Robert I. Jayne
  • Patent number: 9825488
    Abstract: A power supply switching device and switch board checks whether or not a primary-side voltage of a remote shutoff breaker and a secondary-side voltage thereof become a rated voltage after a commercial power system is recovered from a blackout. Next, when both primary-side voltage and secondary-side voltage become the rated voltage, a contactor is actuated to interconnect a home power system with the commercial power system. Hence, charging of the home power system without causing a user to notice such a charging upon recovery of the commercial power system from a blackout can be prevented. As a result, the safety for the user can be ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yosuke Shinomoto, Kazunori Hatakeyama, Takashi Yamakawa, Makoto Kasugai, Naohide Tsuchimoto
  • Patent number: 9798368
    Abstract: A method and system for enhancing computer peripheral safety is provided. In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, the exemplary method and system are configured to monitor and/or isolate alternating current (A.C.) supplies with and/or from any peripheral subsystems or devices. An exemplary method and system comprises an A.C. supply, a host computer system, and a peripheral subsystem or device connected to the host computer system, such as an ultrasound imaging and/or therapy peripheral, and an isolation subsystem configured for monitoring and/or isolating the A.C. supply from the peripheral subsystem or device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: ARDENT SOUND, INC.
    Inventors: Peter G. Barthe, Michael H. Slayton, Vadim Kouklev, Paul M. Jaeger
  • Patent number: 9791477
    Abstract: A sensor for inductively measuring the current in a conductor flowing through a recess in a printed circuit board. Wire loops on the printed circuit board function as the inductive current sensor. Combined with a voltage measurement, the energy being dissipated in the conductor's load circuit can be determined and transmitted wirelessly. Control circuits can be integrated with the metering hardware to enable the remote modulation of the load's power. The inductive sensor(s) can be used to track differences between the load's supply and return currents. If a fault is detected, the circuit can be broken for safety, serving a ground fault circuit interruption (GFCI) purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Inventor: Michael Lorek
  • Patent number: 9787082
    Abstract: An electrical system includes (1) a distributed power source device structured to generate: (i) AC power, and (ii) a signal indicating an amount of current being produced by the distributed power source device, and (2) a circuit breaker having set trip characteristics coupled to distributed power source device, wherein the circuit breaker is structured to receive the signal and adjust the set trip characteristics (e.g., the trip curve) based on at least the signal from the distributed power source device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Charles J. Luebke, Thomas J. Schoepf
  • Patent number: 9778716
    Abstract: A printer connected to an external host device and a peripheral device, the printer comprising: a power generation circuit configured to supply a preset drive voltage required for an operation of the peripheral device to the peripheral; a drive circuit configured to operate the peripheral device with the drive voltage in response to input of a drive signal; a control circuit configured to output the drive signal to the drive circuit to operate the drive circuit only in a preset drive period during which the drive circuit operates; and a communication circuit connected to the control circuit and configured to receive data input from the external host device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.
    Inventor: Seiichi Jimbo
  • Patent number: 9779892
    Abstract: A target pole-close timing determining unit corrects a breaker characteristic correction signal of a preceding turn-on phase by using a correction amount which is proportional to an absolute value of the interpolar voltage upon turn-on of the proceeding turn-on phase, and a correction amount which is proportional to an elapsed time after a target pole-close timing of the preceding turn-on phase, to generate a subsequent phase interpolar voltage signal, and determines a target pole-close timing of the subsequent turn-on phase at a timing when the subsequent phase interpolar voltage signal is equal to or smaller than a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shoichi Kobayashi, Takashi Shindoi, Kenji Inomata, Tomohito Mori, Daigo Matsumoto, Aya Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9775043
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a network locking method for a wireless terminal, comprising: a front-end network-locking module sends a locking certificate generation request to a wireless terminal, and the wireless terminal generates a locking certificate according to the locking certificate generation request; a back-end network-locking module signs the locking certificate to generate a signed locking certificate; the front-end network-locking module performs communication interaction with the wireless terminal to send the signed locking certificate to the wireless terminal, for the wireless terminal to perform locking operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: ZTE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hailong Wen, Wei Li
  • Patent number: 9748762
    Abstract: While transient current magnitudes at different locations within a DC distribution system themselves are not a reliable indicator of fault location, it is recognized herein that accumulating energy or pseudo energy values provides a reliable basis for tripping the protection element at a fault location. Thus, in one aspect of the teachings herein, pseudo energy values are accumulated independently during a fault condition, for each of one or more protected branch circuits and the protection element for each such branch circuit is tripped responsive to the accumulated pseudo energy values reaching a defined pseudo energy threshold. The pseudo energy thresholds are defined so that the protection element in the branch circuit where the fault is located will trip first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: Li Qi, Jiuping Pan
  • Patent number: 9712042
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for bypassing a phase current from a malfunctioning sub module in a converter. The converter includes multiple sub modules each having an energy storage unit, and at least one power semiconductor circuit which is connected in parallel to the energy storage unit and which includes a power semiconductor switch and free-wheeling diodes, wherein the sub modules are connected in series to each other. The bypass apparatus for a converter according to the present invention comprises: a vacuum switch tube for disconnecting between a first connection terminal and a second connection terminal of a malfunctioning sub module upon the occurrence of a malfunction in a specific sub module and bypassing a phase current from said malfunctioning sub module; and a control device for controlling the operation of the vacuum switch tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: HYOSUNG CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jung Soo Park, Hang Jun Yang, Jong Yun Choi
  • Patent number: 9704664
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetizing inrush current suppressing device is configured to measure a three-phase alternating current flowing from the power supply bus to the load, detect a first interruption phase as a phase of an electric current which is interrupted first among the three phases, detect a phase of a phase voltage zero point through which a phase voltage of the first interruption phase of the three-phase AC voltage passes when changing from the same polarity as that of an electric current immediately before interruption of the first interruption phase to an opposite polarity, and close the circuit-breaker at a phase within 60° from the detected phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Tadashi Koshizuka, Shiro Maruyama, Minoru Saito, Hiroyuki Maehara, Koji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9702922
    Abstract: A method and a device for locating internal arcing that occurs in a compartment (CPi) of a gas-insulated line (L), each compartment being provided with at least one pressure sensor (Pi). The method comprises: triggering pressure measurements in a compartment as soon as the difference between the currents that flow through two current toroids (TCi) around two adjacent compartments exceeds a threshold value indicating the occurrence of internal arcing in the compartment; calculating a period ?t that separates the time at which the pressure detector began to detect a pressure variation and the time at which the internal arcing occurred; and calculating a distance d that separates the place at which the internal arc is formed from the position of the pressure sensor using the equation d=V/?t in which V is the speed of sound in the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Patrice Juge, Guillaume Granelli
  • Patent number: 9705358
    Abstract: An emergency lighting system includes an electrical panel board having a phase layout that includes consecutively arranged phases wherein one or more pairs of consecutively arranged phases are of the same phase. A 2-pole branch circuit breaker may be electrically connected to a consecutive pair of same phases, and a 1-pole remotely-operated-relay may be electrically connected to one pole of the 2-pole branch circuit breaker. The emergency lighting system may further include an emergency lighting fixture having a normal power input and an emergency power input. The normal power input may be electrically connected to the 1-pole remotely-operated-relay such that the normal power input is connected to one phase, and the emergency power input may be electrically connected to the 2-pole branch circuit breaker such that the emergency power input is electrically connected to a consecutive pair of same phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Mennes, Ronnie H. Ridgeway, David A. Bradley, Kevin S. Koder, William O. Scoggins, Jr., Seshagiri R. Marellapudi, Jeffrey D. Lord
  • Patent number: 9690744
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus of the embodiment includes: a data storage unit to store a virtual address in association with first information that includes at least identification information of a slot; and circuitry. And the circuitry is configured to: detect an interrupt that notifies an operating system that a first PCI card was replaced and is output from a second PCI card by which the first PCI card was replaced on a certain slot; extract, from the data storage unit, a virtual address associated with first information that includes identification information of the certain slot, upon detecting the interrupt; and set the second PCI card so as to communicate using the extracted virtual address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Ikuroh Fujiwara, Kensuke Ishida
  • Patent number: 9692225
    Abstract: A hybrid DC breaker, comprises a main current circuit, a transfer current circuit, an over-voltage limiting circuit and a control system, wherein the main current circuit, the transfer current circuit and the over-voltage limiting circuit are connected in parallel. The transfer current circuit consists of circuits 1-4, wherein the circuit 1 and the circuit 4 are connected in series at first and then connected with the main current circuit in parallel; a pre-charged capacitor is connected with the circuit 4 in parallel after being connected with the circuit 3 in series; and, one end of the circuit 2 is connected with the left end of the main current circuit while the other end thereof is connected with a connection point of the pre-charged capacitor and the circuit 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: XI' AN JIAOTONG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yi Wu, Mingzhe Rong, Fei Yang, Yifei Wu, Hao Sun, Chunping Niu
  • Patent number: 9666351
    Abstract: A device including a high voltage apparatus enclosing a fluid for providing cooling and/or electrical insulation of the apparatus, and a detector for one or more physical properties of the fluid positioned spaced apart from the housing. The device includes a pipe assembly for housing a fluid, whereby the pipe assembly is arranged between the detector equipment and the housing such that the fluid is extended without interruption in the pipe assembly. The fluid in the pipe assembly is in communication with the fluid in the housing, and the detector equipment is in direct communication with the fluid in the pipe assembly. The detector equipment is positioned below a top level of the housing and at a safe distance from the housing of the apparatus, which makes it possible to carry out inspection, testing, maintenance, and calibration of the detector equipment without taking the high voltage apparatus out of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventor: Tommy Larsson
  • Patent number: 9640983
    Abstract: A bidirectional hybrid breaker comprises a main current circuit, a transfer current circuit, an over-voltage limiting circuit and a control system, wherein the main current circuit, the transfer current circuit and the over-voltage limiting circuit are connected in parallel. The transfer current circuit consists of circuits 1-4, wherein the circuit 1 and the circuit 4 are connected in series at first and then connected with the main current circuit in parallel; a pre-charged capacitor is connected with the circuit 4 in parallel after being connected with the circuit 3 in series; and, one end of the circuit 2 is connected with the left end of the main current circuit while the other end thereof is connected with a connection point of the pre-charged capacitor and the circuit 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: XI'AN JIAOTONG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Fei Yang, Mingzhe Rong, Yi Wu, Yifei Wu, Hao Sun, Chunping Niu
  • Patent number: 9627881
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for detecting faults in an electric power delivery system. In one embodiment, a system may include a data acquisition subsystem configured to receive a plurality of representations of electrical conditions. The system may also include a traveling wave differential subsystem configured to determine an operating quantity based on the plurality of representations of electrical conditions. The traveling wave differential subsystem may also determine a restraint quantity based on the plurality of representations of electrical conditions. The traveling wave differential subsystem may detect a traveling wave generated by the fault based on the plurality of representations. A fault detector subsystem may be configured to declare a fault based on a comparison of the operating quantity and the restraint quantity. A protective action subsystem may implement a protective action based on the declaration of the fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, Mangapathirao Venkata Mynam, Armando Guzman-Casillas, Bogdan Z. Kasztenny, Veselin Skendzic, Tony J. Lee, David E. Whitehead
  • Patent number: 9601986
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for the surge protection of inverters for photovoltaic systems, comprising at least one surge protection device which is physically integrated in the inverter or can be found in the vicinity of the inverter. The at least one surge protection device is connected to the DC side of the inverter. According to the invention, the inverter supplies a signal for setting or tracking the operating point at an operating level in the maximum power point (MPP) range, the response voltage of the surge protection device being predetermined, set, or selected on the basis of said signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: DEHN + SÖHNE GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Jens Ehrler
  • Patent number: 9595411
    Abstract: An electromagnetic relay includes an electromagnet device, a contact device, and a trip device. The electromagnet device includes a first stator, a movable element, and a first exciting coil. The contact device includes a movable contact and a fixed contact. A trip device includes a second exciting coil. The electromagnet device moves the movable element from a first position to a second position. The trip device moves the movable element to a third position. An open state is reached when the movable element is in the first position and the third position. A closed state is reached when the movable element is in the movable element is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yosuke Shimizu, Masakazu Kobayashi, Shinya Kimoto, Riichi Uotome
  • Patent number: 9584941
    Abstract: A digital loudspeaker and a method for operating a digital loudspeaker are disclosed. In an embodiment a digital loudspeaker includes a substrate, a first stator fixed with respect to the substrate, a second stator fixed with respect to the substrate and spaced at a distance from the first stator, and a membrane between the first stator and the second stator. The membrane is displaceable between a first position in which the membrane mechanically contacts the first stator and a second position in which the membrane mechanically contacts the second stator. The first stator and the second stator are arranged to electrostatically move the membrane from a rest position spaced apart from the first position and the second position to the first position and the second position, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Alfons Dehe