Including Means To Establish Plural Distinct Current Levels (e.g., High, Low) Patents (Class 361/154)
  • Patent number: 11873907
    Abstract: A method of controlling a solenoid valve having a solenoid coil and a poppet includes energizing a first node to a first voltage, and coupling the first node to the solenoid coil and energizing the solenoid coil using a pulse-width-modulated (PWM) signal having a frequency and a duty cycle configured to regulate a current conducted through the solenoid coil to below an opening threshold. The method further includes energizing a second node to a second voltage with energy stored in the solenoid coil, and coupling the second node to the solenoid coil and energizing the solenoid coil using a DC signal configured to increase the current to above the opening threshold. The method further includes coupling the first node to the solenoid coil and energizing the solenoid coil using the PWM signal having a frequency and duty cycle configured to regulate the current to above a closing threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Capstan Ag Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Kale Schrader
  • Patent number: 11705296
    Abstract: A system includes a contactor operatively connected to a coil for actuating the contactor to open and close a circuit. A pass element includes a source, a drain, and a gate, wherein the drain is electrically connected to the coil, and wherein the coil is in series between the pass element and ground. A voltage source is connected to the source of the pass element to pass current into the coil when the pass element is in a pass state. A current source control circuit with economizer is operatively connected to the gate of the pass element. A delay circuit is operatively connected to the current source control circuit with economizer and to a command line to command a lower current for holding the contactor closed after a delay has expired for the contactor to transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas P. Joyce, Jordan K. Vanevenhoven, Natalie Filipski
  • Patent number: 11437905
    Abstract: A driver for improving reliability of a switch in a power device, comprising one or more sensors configured to sense an operational parameter of a power device. The driver comprises a controller configured to receive one or more sensor values from the respective sensors. The controller is configured to adjust a driving pulse according to the sensor values. The controller is configured to apply the driving pulse to one or more control terminal of one or more switch of the power device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Ofir Bieber
  • Patent number: 11428182
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling a fuel injector provided with a solenoid for actuating a needle which opens the injector and with a spring for returning the needle to the closed position. The solenoid is supplied with power by a controller including a first potential and a second potential, a first diode and a second diode, a first transistor, a second and a third transistor which is controlled so as to generate various currents using the potentials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventor: Thierry Bavois
  • Patent number: 11401924
    Abstract: Provided are a linear compressor and a linear compressor control system that do not require a sensor for detecting a position of a mover, and can compute a mover position with high accuracy, in consideration of position dependency of an induced voltage constant. A linear compressor 20 includes a field element 11 having a first end connected to elastic bodies (201a and 201b) and including a permanent magnet 111, an armature 12 having a winding 122 wound around a magnetic pole 121, and a linear motor 10 that causes the field element 11 and the armature 12 to reciprocate relatively in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventors: Kaito Hotta, Wataru Hatsuse, Masaki Koyama, Tsutomu Ito, Yoshinori Kawai
  • Patent number: 11367550
    Abstract: A circuit includes a rectifier, e.g., including four diodes; a semiconductor switch; a coil that is chargeable, is dischargeable, and has (a) a first terminal connected to a first output terminal of the rectifier and (b) a second terminal connected via the semiconductor switch to a second output terminal of the rectifier; a first resistor via which a control terminal of the semiconductor switch is connected to the first output terminal of the rectifier; a second resistor connected between the second output terminal of the rectifier and the control terminal of the semiconductor switch; and a discharge unit connected between the second terminal of the coil and the control terminal of the semiconductor switch. The charging and discharging is implemented by, respectively, connecting both of, and disconnecting one or both of, first and second input terminals of the rectifier to/from the voltage source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Klemens Strauss, Tobias Kirchner
  • Patent number: 11361913
    Abstract: A power accumulation system includes a power accumulation device, a relay device provided in a pair of power lines disposed between the power accumulation device and a power conversion device that exchanges power with the power accumulation device, a capacitor provided between the pair of power lines between the relay device and the power conversion device and an electronic control device that controls the relay device. The electronic control device is configured to execute a predetermined foreign matter removal process when it is not possible to bring one of a first relay and a second relay from a power blocking state to a conductive state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryutaro Tokitsu, Kenji Etou
  • Patent number: 11355297
    Abstract: The invention relates to a safety-related switching device (10) which is equipped with an electromagnetic coil (12), a control unit (20) and a first switching means (22). The first switching means (22) is designed to activate and deactivate the electromagnetic coil (12). Moreover, the first switching means (22) is designed to receive a coil control signal (24), a monitoring signal (32) and a first higher-level control signal (26). The safety-related switching device (10) also has a receiver unit (40) for receiving an external control signal (29). The receiver unit (40) is designed to generate the first higher-level control signal (26) and a second higher-level control signal (28) from the external control signal (29). The control unit (20) is designed to receive the second higher-level control signal (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Klaus Aufschneider, Michael Lehner, Manfred Prölss
  • Patent number: 11346311
    Abstract: A fuel injection control device for an internal combustion engine which is applied to a fuel injection system of the internal combustion engine, the fuel injection system including fuel injectors, driving circuits that drive the fuel injectors in each of driving systems into which the fuel injectors are divided, and current detection circuits that are provided to the driving systems, respectively, and the current detection circuits that sense driving currents of corresponding fuel injectors. The fuel injection control device includes an acquisition unit to acquire a current change parameter that is a parameter correlative to a change quantity of a sensed current per unit time in each of the driving systems, and a current correction unit to execute a current correction in at least one of the driving systems based on the current change parameter in each of the driving systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keisuke Yanoto
  • Patent number: 11322313
    Abstract: A power accumulation system includes a power accumulation device, a relay device provided in a pair of power lines disposed between the power accumulation device and a power conversion device that exchanges power with the power accumulation device, a capacitor provided between the pair of power lines between the relay device and the power conversion device and an electronic control device that controls the relay device. The electronic control device is configured to execute a predetermined foreign matter removal process when it is not possible to bring one of a first relay and a second relay from a power blocking state to a conductive state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryutaro Tokitsu, Kenji Etou
  • Patent number: 11313338
    Abstract: A method for controlling a fuel injector includes applying a spill valve current, applying a control valve current, the control and spill valves including components in electrical communication with each other, and detecting a timing at which the spill valve returns to an open position based on induced spill valve current. The method includes detecting a timing at which the control valve returns to a resting position based on induced control valve current, the induced spill valve current and the induced control valve current being included in respective freewheeling currents that at least partially overlap each other, adjusting a spill valve current that is applied during an injection, based on the detected spill valve return timing, and adjusting a control valve current that is applied during the injection, based on the detected control valve return timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew O. Marrack, Daniel R. Puckett, Kranti K. Nellutla, Dustin K. Fee
  • Patent number: 11168634
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a method for operating a fuel injector having a hydraulic stop comprising: applying a first current profile to a solenoid drive to inject a predetermined injection quantity; ascertaining a first value of a parameter correlating to a velocity of the armature when reaching the hydraulic stop; determining whether the first value of the parameter is greater than a first threshold value; and if the first value of the parameter is greater than the first threshold value, applying a second current profile to the solenoid drive to carry out a second injection procedure. The second current profile in comparison with the first current profile exerts a lower magnetic force in the direction of the pole piece on the armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Markus Stutika, Gerd Rösel
  • Patent number: 11151973
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for masking a first noise which is generated by a part of a motor vehicle under a certain triggering condition, wherein, to mask the first noise, at least one second noise is superimposed on the first noise, and wherein the first noise is generated by closing at least one main contactor assigned to a battery of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Christoph Gass
  • Patent number: 11114842
    Abstract: A component includes first and second switches in series and connected between a power source and a coil of contacts of a safety relay. A first controller controls the first switch with a close signal that closes the first switch or a first PWM signal that opens and closes the first switch on each PWM cycle. A second controller controls the second switch with a close signal that closes the second switch or a second PWM signal that opens and closes the second switch on each PWM cycle. A PWM sensing circuit connected to the coil sends a sensed PWM signal to an input of the first and second controllers. The first controller sends the first PWM signal while the second controller sends a close signal and vice-versa. The controllers verify that the received PWM signal matches the sent PWM signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Yanbin Zhang, Yutao Wang, David M. Messersmith, David B. Berman
  • Patent number: 11075043
    Abstract: A method for controlling switchgear includes the implementation of a limitation of the intensity value of the power supply current of a coil of an actuator, including acquisition of a power supply current limit value; generation of a reference value representative of the power supply current limit value; acquisition of a signal representative of the intensity of the power supply current circulating through the coil; comparison of the reference signal with the signal representative of the intensity of the power supply current; inhibition of the current power supply of the coil, as long as the intensity of the power supply current has a value greater than or equal to the reference value, the current power supply of the coil being re-established when the intensity of the power supply current returns below the reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventor: Christophe Lapiere
  • Patent number: 11073051
    Abstract: A first high side switch is configured to connect and disconnect a first reference potential to and from a first node, the first node configured to be electrically connected to a second node and a first end of a first inductor coil of a fuel injector of a cylinder and a first end of a second inductor coil of an oil control valve of the cylinder. A second high side switch is configured to connect and disconnect a second reference potential to and from the second node. A first low side switch is configured to connect and disconnect a ground reference potential to and from a second end of the second inductor coil of the oil control valve. A second low side switch is configured to connect and disconnect the ground reference potential to and from a second end of the first inductor coil of the fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: S.M. Nayeem Hasan, Timothy P. Philippart
  • Patent number: 11069499
    Abstract: A power-saving circuit for a contactor includes a coil drive circuit, and further includes a rectification and filtering circuit, a PFC circuit, an auxiliary power supply circuit, and a square wave generation circuit. The square wave generation circuit outputs a first square wave signal to the PFC circuit via a first output end according to a set timing sequence, and outputs a second square wave signal and a third square wave signal to the coil drive circuit via a second output end, so as to respectively control duty cycles of a first switch tube in the PFC circuit and a second switch tube in the coil drive circuit. The auxiliary power supply circuit supplies electric energy to the square wave generation circuit during a holding stage of the contactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: MORNSUN GUANGZHOU SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junxi Su, Xiangyang Yin
  • Patent number: 11050421
    Abstract: An electrical assembly comprises a device. The device includes an inductive coil and an armature. The armature is arranged to be moveable between first and second positions when the inductive coil is energized. The electrical assembly further includes a detection unit which is configured to detect an inductance of the inductive coil or a characteristic that corresponds to the inductance of the inductive coil. The detection unit is further configured to determine the position of the armature based on the detected inductance or the detected characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Technology GmbH
    Inventor: Cristian Schlezinger
  • Patent number: 10937604
    Abstract: The invention relates to a switching device for a MV electric power distribution network. The switching device comprises electric contacts, which are electrically connectable to a conductor of said electric power distribution network, and a control unit. The switching device comprises signalling means emitting visible light externally to said switching device, said signalling means being controlled by said control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Leandro Vacirca, Angelo Cleber, Luciano Di Maìo
  • Patent number: 10920768
    Abstract: The performance of a solenoid drive liquid pump can be very dependent on the magnitude and stability of an input voltage, with non-ideal input power resulting in loss of efficiency and potential damage to the pump. Pulse width of drive signals provided to the pump, which cause solenoids to alternately energize to move liquid through the pump, may be adjusted in duration in order to compensate for non-ideal input voltage. A drive control module of the pump gathers voltage information, determines an improved pulse width based upon that voltage information, and then provides drive signals based upon the improved pulse width. Operating in this manner, a pump can operate at or near peak efficiency despite both significant variances in input voltage and non-sinusoidal input voltage, and without customized components or adapters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Milton Roy, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Carman, Nile Fairfield
  • Patent number: 10907562
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a method for controlling a pressure dissipation valve comprising a closure element, a spring applying a spring force urging the closure element toward the closed position, and an electromagnetic actuator responding to an applied voltage to urge the closure element to an open position. The method may include: applying a constant voltage until the closure element begins motion counter to the spring force; immediately ending the voltage upon the beginning of motion; thereafter, applying a pulsed voltage to the actuator to induce a substantially constant holding-open current intensity; maintaining the pulsed voltage for a predetermined duration to hold the closure element open; and interrupting the application of voltage after the predetermined duration, wherein the closure element moves into the closed position as a result of the spring force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Tet Kong Brian Chia, Thomas Kraft, Andreas Bodensteiner, Walter Sassler
  • Patent number: 10909051
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for managing a non-volatile memory (NVM). In some embodiments, a memory module has a memory module electronics (MME) circuit configured to program data to and read data from solid-state non-volatile memory cells of the NVM. A controller is adapted to communicate commands and data to the MME circuit via an intervening data bus. The controller operates to reset the MME circuit by issuing a reset command to the MME circuit over the data bus, activating a decoupling circuit coupled between the data bus and a reference line at a reference voltage level to remove capacitance from the data bus resulting from the reset command, and subsequently sensing a voltage on the data bus. In some cases, multiple MME circuits and NVMs may be arranged on a plurality of flash dies which are concurrently reset by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Timothy Canepa
  • Patent number: 10867734
    Abstract: A plurality of inductive loads (105) are connectable in parallel with one another between first and second terminals (120, 125), to which a controllable voltage (205) is applied. A method (300, 400) for operating the loads (105) includes the steps of detecting (305, 405) the connection of a previously non-energized load (105) between the terminals (120, 125); setting (310, 410, 435) the voltage (205) to a predetermined first value (210), and, after the lapse of a predetermined time interval (315, 415), adjusting the voltage (205) to a predetermined second value (215), with the second value (215) being lower than the first value (210).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Florian Weinl, Christoph Stritt, Ulrich Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10847965
    Abstract: A thermal protection switch device may include: a power circuit that includes a phase line and a neutral line; a current sensor electrically connected to the phase line to detect the current flow in the phase line; a temperature sensor thermally coupled to the phase line to detect the temperature of the phase line; and another temperature sensor thermally coupled to the neutral line to detect the temperature of the neutral line. The device also includes a trip circuit configured to interrupt the phase line when activated and a controller configured to receive output signals from the above current and temperature sensors. The controller may activate the trip circuit to interrupt the phase line in response to determining that certain conditions have occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Lin Yang, Tao Xiong, Chuanchuan Zhuang, Xianzhen Zhang, Fengguo Zhang
  • Patent number: 10837574
    Abstract: A drive circuit for controlling a solenoid valve having a solenoid coil and a poppet that translates therein is provided. The drive circuit includes a first node, a second node, a control circuit, and a flyback circuit. The first node is configured to be energized by a power source to a first voltage. The control circuit is coupled to the first and second nodes, and is configured to: (1) selectively couple the first and second nodes in series with the solenoid coil, and periodically energize the solenoid coil using a pulse-width-modulated (PWM) signal having a frequency and a duty cycle configured to regulate a current conducted through the solenoid coil. The flyback circuit is coupled to the solenoid coil and configured to energize the second node to a second voltage with energy stored in the solenoid coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Capstan Ag Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Kale Schrader
  • Patent number: 10816365
    Abstract: A method for automatically calibrating an engine camshaft sensor, the sensor measuring variations in magnetic field value and delivering an electrical signal having a high state after the passage of the values of the magnetic field above the switching threshold on a rising edge and a low state after the passage of the values of the magnetic field below the switching threshold on a falling edge. After the passage of the values of the magnetic field above the switching threshold and measuring a new maximum value, the electrical signal remains in a high state as long as the magnetic field values are higher than a hysteresis threshold, which is dependent on the amplitude of the magnetic field calculated with the measured new maximum value; after the passage of the values of the magnetic field below the hysteresis threshold, a new switching threshold is calculated according to the new maximum value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignees: Continental Automotive France, Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: David Mirassou
  • Patent number: 10804817
    Abstract: A circuit and a method of controlling a circuit is provided for an electronic control of an electromagnetic drive of an electromagnetic valve. The circuit provides a control signal for the electromagnetic drive which has a high level and a low level. The control signal comprises at least a first time interval having a first duty cycle, an optional second time interval having a second duty cycle, and a third time interval having a third duty cycle, the first, second and third duty cycles being less than one. The first duty cycle is greater than the second duty cycle and the second duty cycle is greater than the third duty cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Buerkert Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Feinauer, Simon Kastner, Dinko Begovic, Sebastian Frank
  • Patent number: 10788040
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of operating an electric motor-driven centrifugal pump (3) in a hydraulic system (4) having at least one self-controlled load, where a gradient (dQakt/dt) of the volumetric flow rate (Qakt) of the centrifugal pump (3) is determined and the current set-point delivery head (Hsoll) of the centrifugal pump (3) is calculated from a mathematical operation on the gradient (dQakt/dt) weighted with a gain factor (K) and the last specified set-point delivery head (Hsoll,alt). The operation describes a positive feedback between the set-point delivery head (Hsoll) and the volumetric flow rate (Qakt). The gain factor (K) is determined from a calculation instruction that is modified dynamically during operation of the centrifugal pump (3) taking into consideration the current operating point of the centrifugal pump (3) and taking into consideration a current and/or at least one past state of the hydraulic system (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: WILO SE
    Inventors: Jens Oppermann, Ana Constantin
  • Patent number: 10756720
    Abstract: A driver circuit for an electronic switch is described herein. According to one embodiment the driver circuit includes an input buffer with an input node for receiving a buffer input signal, a pull-down circuit coupled to the input node and a ground node, and a pull-up circuit coupled to the input node and a supply node. The driver circuit further includes control circuitry configured to activate either the pull-down circuit or the pull-up circuit. The pull-up circuit is activated when the voltage level of the buffer input signal is above a first threshold, and the pull-down circuit is activated when the voltage level of the buffer input signal is below a second threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Christian Djelassi, Octavian Barbu, Markus Ladurner, Luca Petruzzi
  • Patent number: 10670009
    Abstract: A controller of an electromagnetically driven reciprocating pump influences velocity of the magnetic armature by switching voltage applied to the electromagnet depending on the position of the magnetic armature, its position determined from state variables of the electromagnet. A processor calculates electrical resistance of the magnetic coil from the voltage and current measured by the measuring device, and calculates the temporal change of the linked magnetic flux in the electromagnet from the electrical voltage, the current and the resistance of the magnetic coil, and calculates the linked magnetic flux in the electromagnet from an earlier magnetic flux and from the temporal change, and determines the position of the magnetic armature from the linked magnetic flux in the electromagnet and the electrical current through the magnetic coil, and switches the voltage at the magnetic coil by the switching device depending on the position of the magnetic armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignees: Thomas Magnete GmbH, TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAT DRESDEN
    Inventors: Axel Müller, Thomas Kramer, Martin Petzold, Jürgen Weber, Olaf Ohligschlager
  • Patent number: 10648420
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a method for operating a fuel injector with a solenoid drive having a hydraulic stop at a predetermined fuel pressure comprising: applying a first current profile to the solenoid including a first holding current value prespecifying the current flowing during a holding phase; determining a resulting first flux; determining a first force based on the first flux corresponding to a hydraulic force exerted on the armature by fuel; determining a deviation between the first force and an optimal force corresponding to the predetermined fuel pressure; determining a second holding current based on the first holding current and the determined deviation; and applying a second current profile to carry out a second injection process using the second holding current value to apply a hydraulic force on the armature by the fuel adapted to the optimal force value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Markus Stutika, Gerd Rösel
  • Patent number: 10599198
    Abstract: A load driving device is configured to reduce erroneous blocking operation in a switch. The load driving device includes: a control unit configured to output a driving signal and a non-driving signal; a first switch unit configured to switch power between a power supply unit and a load to a conductive state and a non-conductive state, and switch the power path to a conductive state when a difference between a potential of the first input line and a potential of a conducting path on the load side is greater than a predetermined value; and a second switch unit configured to connect a power supply to the first input line into a conductive state upon the control unit outputting the driving signal, and to block conduction between the power supply path and the first input line upon the control unit outputting the non-driving signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Nagahama
  • Patent number: 10554111
    Abstract: In order to improve the adaptation of a long stator linear motor to requirements or conditions of individual transport units or of the transport track it is foreseen, that a movement profile is preset for the transport unit (Tx), which is followed by the transport unit (Tx), in doing so at least one system parameter of a model of the control system (21) is determined by means of a parameter estimation method, and the value of the system parameter over time is collected and from the variation over time a wear condition of the transport unit (Tx) and/or of the transport track is deduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: B&R INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Weber, Joachim Weissbacher
  • Patent number: 10554102
    Abstract: In order to improve the adaptation of a long stator linear motor to requirements or conditions of individual transport units or of the transport track it is foreseen, that the control variables (StG) of a driving coil (7, 8) of long stator linear motor are superimposed with an excitation signal (AS) with a predetermined frequency band, wherein actual variables (IG) of the driving coil control are determined, from the control variables (StGAS) superimposed with the excitation signal (AS) and from the determined actual variables (IG) a frequency response is determined and from the frequency response the control parameters (RP) for this transport unit (Tx) are determined and the transport unit (Tx) is controlled using these determined control parameters (RP) for movement along the transport track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: B&R INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Weber, Joachim Weissbacher
  • Patent number: 10527188
    Abstract: A method for controlling the through-flow cross-section of a gas valve is described. The gas valve comprises a valve body in which a flow channel is provided, a valve element which can be displaced therein between a closed position and an opened position, an armature, a coil, a spring and a control circuit. For opening the flow channel, the control circuit excites the coil with a pulse width-modulated current, the pulse duty factor of which, starting from a starting value, is increased until the armature starts moving out of the closed position against the effect of the spring. Then, the control circuit reduces the pulse duty factor before the valve element has reached the opened position. The control circuit then sets the pulse duty factor at a predefined holding value with which the valve element is held in the opened position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: TRUMA GERAETETECHNIK GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Ulrich Hoeflinger
  • Patent number: 10511213
    Abstract: A solenoid assembly includes a solenoid actuator having a core. A coil is configured to be wound at least partially around the core such that a magnetic flux (?) is generated when an electric current flows through the coil. An armature is configured to be movable based on the magnetic flux (?). A controller has a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded instructions for controlling the solenoid assembly. The controller is configured to obtain a plurality of model matrices, a coil current (i1) and an eddy current (i2). The magnetic flux (?) is obtained based at least partially on a third model matrix (C0), the coil current (i1) and the eddy current (i2). Operation of the solenoid actuator is controlled based at least partially on the magnetic flux (?). In one example, the solenoid actuator is an injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Shifang Li, Thomas W. Nehl, Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Avoki Omekanda, Rashmi Prasad, Chandra S. Namuduri
  • Patent number: 10497501
    Abstract: An example apparatus may include a solenoid actuator with a solenoid coil and a corresponding solenoid armature. A plurality of switches may be coupled to the solenoid coil. A controller may be electrically coupled to the plurality of switches, the controller having a processor and a memory device coupled to the processor. The memory device may contain a set of instructions that, when executed by the processor cause the processor to receive a feedback signal corresponding to a condition of at least one of the solenoid coil and the solenoid armature; and generate a control signal to alter the state of at least one of the plurality of switches based, at least in part, on the received feedback signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Jianying Chu
  • Patent number: 10416646
    Abstract: A control system for operation of an industrial machine includes a processor and a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable memory communicating with the processor. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable memory includes instructions that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including: receiving image data from an imaging device that monitors an image zone around the industrial machine, and analyzing the image data. The processor further performs operations including determining, based upon the analyzing, that the control system is functional, determining, based upon the analyzing, that the image data includes at least one of a predefined color, a predefined pattern, and a predefined shape, and transmitting a proximity signal to at least one relay module coupled between the processor and the industrial machine to halt operation of the industrial machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: SAFE TEK, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Graves, Joseph Graves
  • Patent number: 10393207
    Abstract: A damper system may include an electrically adjustable hydraulic shock absorber having an electromechanical valve and a damper controller. The damper controller may include a solenoid driver circuit electrically coupled to the electromechanical valve, and disposed at the shock absorber. The solenoid driver circuit may be operable to drive the electromechanical valve in an open state in which hydraulic fluid flows between a pressure tube and a reserve tube. The solenoid driver circuit may include a plurality of transistors that are operable to generate a first current to place the electromechanical valve in the open state and a second current less than the first current to hold the electromechanical valve in the open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Nikolay H. Iordanov, Craig Markyvech
  • Patent number: 10378497
    Abstract: A fluid metering valve includes a housing, an electromagnetic actuator that includes an armature that is separated from an inner wall of the housing by an annular gap, a throttle element connected to the armature or the housing and arranged in the annular gap to dampen a movement of the armature that is opposite to an opening direction, a valve seat surface, a valve closing body that cooperates with the valve seat surface to form a sealing seat, and a valve needle that (a) is actuatable by the actuator, (b) is arranged for actuating the valve closing body (c) extends through a borehole in the armature so that the armature is movably guidable on the valve needle, and (d) includes a stop arranged such that, during an actuation, the armature strikes against the stop in the opening direction to thereby open the sealing seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Schaad, Joerg Abel, Juergen Maier, Martin Buehner, Matthias Boee, Olaf Schoenrock, Philipp Rogler, Stefan Cerny
  • Patent number: 10262824
    Abstract: Operation coil drive device of electromagnetic contactor includes current detector and drive controller. The detector, when switching control is performed on operation coils of the contactor, detects coil current flowing through the coils. The controller controls an on/off time ratio of a semiconductor switching element wherein the on/off time ratio during close circuit control becomes larger than the on/off time ratio during holding control. Power supply voltage is switchingly applied to the coils at the on/off time ratio. The controller includes a determination locus setter and a close circuit state determiner. The setter sets a determination locus that continuously increases along a change locus of detected coil current during close circuit control. The determiner determines a contact point close circuit state by contact of a movable contact to a fixed contact based on deviation between the determination locus by the setter and the detected coil current detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC FA COMPONENTS & SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoyuki Matsuo, Akira Morita, Takahiro Taguchi, Kosuke Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 10217586
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for driving an electromagnetic actuator, which comprises a field winding for generating a magnetic field and a movable armature, wherein, in the method, in order to move the armature from a preset starting position into a preset end position, a magnetic flux is generated in the field winding and the magnetic flux through the field winding or a flux variable correlated with the magnetic flux through the field winding is measured so as to form an actual value. The invention provides that, in order to move the armature from the starting position into the end position, the magnetic flux through the field winding is regulated, namely in such a way that the characteristic of the actual value corresponds to a fixedly preset setpoint flux curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Andreas Hahn, Wolfgang Kuehn
  • Patent number: 10161339
    Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to correct deviation in the injection amount and changes in the injection timing when the voltage of a high-voltage source for a drive device decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Ryo Kusakabe, Tomoaki Horii, Shingo Kimura, Takaki Itaya, Mitsuru Nagase, Shirou Yamaoka
  • Patent number: 10035675
    Abstract: A solenoid device has a solenoid and a control portion. The solenoid has a body, a plunger, an attracting coil, a retaining coil, and a biasing member. The plunger is arranged selectively either in an attracted position, pulled into the body, or in a returning position, protruding out of the body. Fed with a voltage, the attracting coil generates an attracting force causing the plunger to move from returning position to attracted position. Fed with a voltage, the retaining coil generates a retaining force, weaker than the attracting force, causing the plunger to move to attracted position. The biasing member biases the plunger toward returning position. The control portion controls operation of the solenoid. When moving the plunger from returning position to attracted position, the control portion first starts applying the voltage to the retaining coil and then starts applying the voltage to the attracting coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Kei Maruyama
  • Patent number: 10036710
    Abstract: A low powered system for providing sufficient current to a fuel control mechanism drive. The system may have a fuel control mechanism pick circuit that has an energy storage mechanism for providing a large amount of current for a short time to the fuel control mechanism drive. A safety switch may be enabled with a special signal to let current flow to the fuel control mechanism drive to operate a corresponding fuel control mechanism for controlling fuel to a pilot light or heating element. The pilot light or heating element may provide heat to a thermoelectric source that generates electrical power from the heat. The electrical power may go to a single DC-to-DC converter and voltage clamp for providing a voltage source to a microcontroller and other circuits of the system. The pick circuit may prevent a harmful reverse flow of current from the storage mechanism to the thermoelectric source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Chian, David Kucera, Trevor C. Haag, Timothy J. Nordberg, Adam Foley
  • Patent number: 10003184
    Abstract: A backflow preventing device includes a backflow preventing element connected between a power source and a load, for preventing a backflow of a current from the load side to the power source side, a commutation device configured to perform a commutation operation of causing a current to flow through an other path connected in parallel to the backflow preventing element, and a controller configured to change a pulse width of a commutation drive signal for controlling the commutation device to perform the commutation operation based on a current flowing through the backflow preventing element, and transmitting the commutation drive signal having the changed pulse width to the commutation device. The controller transmits the pulse to the commutation device only for a necessary time period so that the commutation device performs the commutation operation, to thereby reduce electric power relating to the commutation operation not contributing to the power conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Shimomugi, Koichi Arisawa, Takashi Yamakawa, Keisuke Uemura, Shinsaku Kusube, Kenta Yuasa, Akihiro Tsumura
  • Patent number: 9911561
    Abstract: A DC solenoid coil current controller includes a rectifier, pulse width modulator, and power driver. The rectifier inputs an alternating current signal and a direct current signal, and outputs a rectified signal using at least one of the alternating current signal and the direct current signal. The pulse width modulator outputs a pulse width modulated signal in response to the rectified signal. The power driver controls a DC solenoid coil using the pulse width modulated signal, thereby enabling a direct current DC solenoid coil to be controlled in response to the alternating current signal. A method of controlling current to a DC solenoid coil is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: TARGET ROCK DIVISION OF CURTISS-WRIGHT FLOW CONTROL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin Gerard Cordle, John Behm
  • Patent number: 9869263
    Abstract: A method of controlling a solenoid valve of an automotive system, the valve being charged by a pulse width modulated signal (PWM) and determining an actuation of an automotive system component is provided. The method comprises the following: determining a target end of command of the valve as a function of a PWM state and a time interval from a last change of PWM state; monitoring a current value, a PWM phase period and the PWM state of a last pulse width modulated signal; and correcting in the next pulse width modulated signal at least one of said current value and PWM phase period, so that a next end of command of the valve will occur at the target end of command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Filippo Parisi, Paolo Casasso
  • Patent number: 9847197
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a protection module for a control and protective switching device, comprising a control power supply processing unit, an auxiliary power supply processing unit, a power supply converting unit, a signal processing and controlling unit, a trip electromagnet driving unit, a control electromagnet driving unit, and a man-machine interaction device. The control power supply processing unit and the auxiliary power supply processing unit receive a power supply signal from a high voltage power supply, and process the signal for supplying power for other components. The signal processing and controlling unit receives a mutual-induction signal from a current mutual inductor, outputs a first control signal and a second control signal to the trip electromagnet driving unit and the control electromagnet driving unit, and receives a first feedback signal and a second feedback signal from an operation mechanism and a control electromagnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignees: SEARI ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., ZHEJIANG CHINT ELECTRICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Changxun Gu, Di Zhang, Huiyu Ji, Ping Zeng, Feng Jia, Hong Xi
  • Patent number: 9837229
    Abstract: A method of controlling a circuit breaker that has a movable contact and an actuator for moving the movable contact between an open position and a closed position. With the movable contact in the open position, a voltage is applied to the actuator to cause the movable contact to move towards the closed position. The voltage is applied for a limited time period ending before the movable contact reaches the closed position. At the end of the limited time period, the voltage is adjusted to reduce the acceleration exerted on the contact. The voltage is subsequently increased just before, after, or substantially at the same time as the contact reaches its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Tavrida Electric Holding AG
    Inventors: Alexey Chaly, Vladimir Ledyaev