With Specific Voltage Responsive Fault Sensor Patents (Class 361/88)
  • Patent number: 8174809
    Abstract: Arrangements (1) are provided with electrical elements (11,21) for, in a feeding mode, receiving feeding signals and, in a non-feeding mode, not receiving the feeding signals, and with circuits (12,22) for, in the feeding mode, detecting malfunctions of the electrical elements (11,21). The circuits (12,22) comprise active switches (13,23) for, in response to detection results, deactivating the electrical elements (11,21) in both modes, in other words in the feeding mode as well as the non-feeding mode. The electrical elements (11,21) for example comprise light emitting diodes, incandescent lights or loudspeakers etc. The active switches (13,23) for example comprise bistable micro-relays or semiconductor switches such as non-volatile power semiconductor switches such as one time programmable flash power MOSFETs etc. Preferably, the arrangements (1) are integrated arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Georg Sauerlander, Gian Hoogzaad
  • Patent number: 8169252
    Abstract: A low voltage drop unidirectional electronic valve constituted of: a first terminal; a second terminal; a first electronically controlled switch coupled between the first terminal and the second terminal; and a first charge pump arranged to close the first electronically controlled switch when the voltage potential at the first terminal is greater than the voltage potential at the second terminal by a first value. The first charge pump is arranged in a closed loop with the first electronically controlled switch so as to continuously maintain the voltage potential at the first terminal greater than the voltage potential at the second terminal by the first value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Microsemi Corporation
    Inventors: Shawn Anthony Fahrenbruch, George Liu
  • Patent number: 8166222
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes USB communication circuitry for communicating via a USB interface. The USB transceiver circuitry transmits data to and from the integrated circuit over the USB interface. The USB transceiver circuitry further provides protection to internal circuitry of the integrated circuit from a 5 volt short circuit on the USB interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Akhil Garlapati, Bruce Philip Del Signore
  • Patent number: 8143867
    Abstract: In an electric supply device of the present invention, since a semiconductor element T1 is interrupted before a drain voltage V1 of the semiconductor element T1 is lower than an in-phase input minimum voltage, a load circuit can be assuredly protected. Further, assuming that a first decided voltage is L-V1 and a second decided voltage V3, when the voltage V1 becomes “V1<L-V1”, a retry operation is carried out. When the number of times of “V1<L-V1” reaches N1 times, or when the number of times of “L-V1<V1<V3” reaches N2 times, an interrupted state of the semiconductor element T1 is held to protect the load circuit. Further, when the voltage V1 suddenly drops due to an imperfect contact of a connector 11, a minimum value of the voltage V1 is not a stable value and the interrupted state of the semiconductor T1 is not held.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Shunzou Ohshima
  • Patent number: 8125191
    Abstract: An early warning method for an abnormal state of a lithium battery and a recording medium applicable to a portable electronic device are provided. The method includes the following steps. A plurality of curves of voltage against electric quantity is obtained according to different predicted average current consumptions of the portable electronic device. An operating average current consumption and an operating electric quantity from a first voltage to a second voltage are obtained when the lithium battery at an operating test state in a unit time. One of the curves of voltage against electric quantity is searched, and a warning electric quantity is obtained in a range from the first voltage to the second voltage. The warning electric quantity is compared with the electric quantity, so as to provide an early warning of an abnormal state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Inventec Appliances Corp.
    Inventor: Chien-Chen Chen
  • Patent number: 8125345
    Abstract: A system is provided in which the voltage phases, neutral, and ground are monitored and an alarm is generated if specific trigger conditions are met. These conditions are indicative of a possible loose neutral, loose wiring, or general over/under voltage condition. Specific algorithms can be used to determine the possibility of a loose wiring condition, and if limits are met, various alarm modes are started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Power Monitors
    Inventors: Walter Curt, Christopher Mullins
  • Publication number: 20120035824
    Abstract: In an electric circuit whose behavior is changed corresponding to a peripheral environment, an abnormality detection device can surely detect abnormality in the electric circuit even in a state where a value of the peripheral environment cannot be specified. An abnormality detection device according to the present invention detects abnormality in a detection circuit (112) which detects a specific kind of physical quantity. The abnormality detection device includes an abnormality detection part (220a) which changes magnitude of a power source voltage (Vcc?) which is supplied to the detection circuit (112), and detects abnormality in the detection circuit based on an output signal (Vo2) from the detection circuit at a power source voltage (Vc2) after the change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: BOSCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Williamson Sy, Daichi Tajiri, Kenji Yurue, Yasuaki Kurita, Juergen Stegmaier, Mustafa Abu Whishah, Takeo Akita, Minoru Takasaki, Tohru Hasegawa, Takuya Okada, Isamu Hitomi
  • Publication number: 20120026633
    Abstract: Illustrative circuits and methods are provided. Circuitry is configured to detect a decrease in a monitored voltage at greater than a threshold rate. A fuse is deliberately blown in response to the detection. Power control circuitry is disabled and prevented from resuming normal operations by way of control signaling. The blown fuse ensures that at least one control signal is maintained until the blown fuse is replaced by service personnel. Shunt circuitry optionally discharges storage capacitors of the power control circuitry. Sensitive electronic components are protected against over-voltage or overcurrent damage in accordance with the present teachings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventor: Sam Babb
  • Patent number: 8102191
    Abstract: Plurality of current mirror circuits CM1 to CM5 at which the same amount of current I1 flows in the circuits. Transistors Qa4/Qb5 are ON state when it is in the steady state. Transistors Qa5/Qb7 turn ON and transistors Qb6/Qa6 turn OFF when a voltage generation circuit 3 applies a voltage more than predetermined value V12 to node N3. Therefore node N3 becomes fixed voltage V12. On the other hand, voltage generation circuit 3 applies a voltage less than predetermined value V23 to node N3, transistors Qb5/Qa6 turn ON, and transistors Qa5/Qb7 turn OFF. Accordingly, the node N3 becomes fixed voltage V23.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Satake, Takeshi Miki
  • Patent number: 8102684
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement for limiting excessive voltages by a forward delay time of a first diode is described. The first diode is alternately switched in a non-conducting direction and a conducting direction by switching a circuit element. The first diode is series-connected to a first capacitor and a pre-charging circuit is provided for the first capacitor, the pre-charging circuit charging the first capacitor while the first diode is switched in the non-conducting direction. The pre-charging circuit charges the first capacitor more strongly than an excessive voltage of the first diode with regard to the amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Harald Weinmeier
  • Publication number: 20110279939
    Abstract: An electrical circuit comprising a power supply, a load, first and second trunks disposed therebetween and control means adapted to control the electrical status of the first and second trunks, in which the control means comprises monitoring means adapted to monitor the current and/or voltage of the first and second trunks and to detect current and/or voltage events which are indicative of faults occurring thereon, and isolation means adapted to isolate the first or second trunk when the monitoring means detects a current and/or voltage event which is indicative of a fault occurring thereon, in which the first and second trunks are electrically connected and arranged in parallel such that the power supplied to the load is distributed substantially equally between them, and in which the control means comprises compensation means adapted to prevent the isolation means from isolating one of said first or second trunks when a current and/or voltage event which is indicative of a fault occurs thereon which is caus
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: PEPPERL + FUCHS GMBH
    Inventors: Renato Kitchener, Gunther Rogoll
  • Publication number: 20110248676
    Abstract: An improved battery pack is disclosed. The battery pack includes: a plurality of battery cells; a protection circuit module for controlling charging and discharging of the plurality of battery cells; and a plurality of connection members for applying voltages output from the plurality of battery cells to the protection circuit module, at least one of the connection members having a damping resistive component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventor: Dae-Won Kim
  • Patent number: 8031448
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and a method are described that provide a voltage clamp for a single-supply system. In particular, a negative voltage clamp prevents a negative over-voltage in a system having only a positive independent voltage source. For example, certain analog-to-digital converters and other circuits allow input signals below the negative supply, or ground in single-supply systems, either by direct sampling or using input attenuation resistors. The negative clamp allows the circuit to provide accurate negative over-voltage protection and the absence of this claim would result in over-voltage protection in positive voltage directions only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Skrenes, David Maes
  • Patent number: 8015395
    Abstract: A personal computer and methods of reconfiguration are described. An implementation of a personal computer may comprise a processor portion running a diagnostic application. A field programmable gate array in communication with the processor portion may be provided. A configurable non-volatile computer memory in communication with the field programmable gate array and wherein the field programmable gate array is programmed to reconfigure the non-volatile computer memory may be provided. Methods of reconfiguration of a personal computer are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: RMT, Inc.
    Inventors: Shane Lewis, Justin Dyster, Layne N. Phillips, Michael Stimpson
  • Publication number: 20110205679
    Abstract: A protection circuit 10 provided with a current regulating section 14 with a first end connected to a power source line VDD and a second end connected to an input terminal 116A of an inverter 116. The current regulating section 14 applies a voltage of less than a threshold value voltage to the input terminal 116A when a surge current having predetermined frequency characteristics flows from the first end in a particular flow path, by generating induced electromotive force so as to generate a magnetic field to cancel out the magnetic field occurring due to the surge current, thereby impeding flow of the surge current. The current regulating section 14 applies a voltage of the threshold value voltage or greater to the input terminal 116A when a driving current not having the frequency characteristics flows in from the first end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: OKI SEMICONDUCTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chikashi Fuchigami
  • Patent number: 7990670
    Abstract: A protective circuitry (20) is connected between a power input port (11) and an electronic component (12) of an electronic device. The protective circuitry includes a field effect transistor (21) and a detection unit (25). The field effect transistor has a gate and a drain both electrically connected to an anode of the power input port, and a source electrically connected to a cathode of the power input port via the electronic component. The detection unit has two conductive pads spaced to each other. One pad is electrically connected to the gate and the other pad is electrically connected to the cathode of the power input port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Chi Mei Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Chien-Chih Chen
  • Patent number: 7990671
    Abstract: An overvoltage protection control circuit includes a voltage conversion circuit, a voltage comparison circuit, and a switching circuit. The voltage conversion circuit generates a first voltage and a second voltage based on a power supply voltage. The voltage comparison circuit generates a control signal based on a comparison between the first voltage and the second voltage. The switching circuit determines whether to apply the power supply voltage to a chip in response to the control signal. The overvoltage protection control circuit is formed inside the chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dae-yong Kim
  • Patent number: 7969700
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a structure for the electrical protection of photovoltaic facilities in the event a photovoltaic generator (G1-Gp) is connected with its polarity reversed, for what it includes a protection cell that comprises two connection points (1, 2) at which the photovoltaic generator is connected (G1-Gp), at least one device (D) in charge of reducing the voltage of the photovoltaic generator (G1-Gp) in the event of polarity reversion, which is connected in parallel between the aforementioned two connection points, at least one element (M) of breakage and/or protection of the photovoltaic generator (G1-Gp) serially connected to the preceding elements, minimizing the loading on the aforementioned break and/or protection elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Ingeteam Energy, S.A.
    Inventors: Javier Coloma Calahorra, Julián Balda Belzunegui, Luis Muguerza Olcoz
  • Patent number: 7940502
    Abstract: There is provided a backlight unit having a protection circuit using a center-tap, the backlight unit including: a current balancing unit including a plurality of primary coils individually transmitting the lamp driving power from an inverter unit to the lamps, and a plurality of secondary coils each formed of one conductor having a center-tap, and receiving an electromagnetically induced voltage from each of the plurality of primary coils, the one end and the center-tap of each of the plurality of secondary coils connected in series with the one end and the center-tap of the neighboring secondary coil to form at least one closed loop and maintain current transmitted to each of the lamps balanced; a sensing unit sensing a variation in current of the closed loop and a variation in current of the primary coil from the current balancing unit; and a determination unit determining whether each of the lamps performs an abnormal operation or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyo Young Kim, Jong Rak Kim, Sung Hun Oh
  • Publication number: 20110098899
    Abstract: A protective circuit arranged on a printed circuit board has two conductor loops. At least one supply voltage track, at least one semiconductor switch with at least one terminal and at least one control component with at least one terminal are arranged on the printed circuit board. A first terminal of the control component and a first terminal of the semiconductor switch are connected electrically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventors: Matthias Fuchs, Marco Junglas, Lutz Muders, Benedikt Ohlig
  • Publication number: 20110069420
    Abstract: A controller chip provides protection to a power converter by using a high-voltage start-up device in the controller chip, without additional pins or external elements of the controller chip. A JFET is used as the high-voltage start-up device connected between a high-voltage pin and a power input pin of the controller chip, to charge a power capacitor connected to the power input pin at power on. The controller chip monitors the voltage at the power input pin and turns off the JFET once the voltage at the power input pin increases to reach a threshold. Thereafter, the source voltage of the JFET will reflect the voltage at the high-voltage pin, and a protection circuit monitors the source voltage of the JFET to trigger a protection signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: RICHPOWER MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: KUO-CHIN CHIU, CHIH-FENG HUANG
  • Patent number: 7907376
    Abstract: A load control device includes a control circuit and a protection circuit. The control circuit controls driving of an electric load. The protection circuit monitors a power supply voltage supplied to the control circuit and stops control of driving the load by the control circuit, when the power supply voltage drops below a threshold value. The protection circuit provides the threshold value with a hysteresis characteristic having a width determined by a product of a wiring resistance of a path for supplying a driving current to the load and a maximum value of the driving current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masao Yamada, Satoshi Yoshimura
  • Publication number: 20110058296
    Abstract: A load control device comprises a bidirectional semiconductor switch for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load, and the bidirectional semiconductor switch further comprises two field effect transistors (FETs) in anti-series electrical connection. In the event that one of the FETs fails in a shorted state, and if the load control device is using a phase control dimming technique to control the load, the load control device may provide an asymmetric waveform to the electrical load. In order to determine whether this asymmetric waveform is present, a microprocessor of the load control device use voltage thresholds and/or offsets to monitor the voltage across the FETs. Thus, the microprocessor is operable to detect a fault condition of the load control device wherein the fault condition may comprise an asymmetry condition, or more particularly, a failure condition of one of the FETs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Neil Orchowski
  • Patent number: 7903379
    Abstract: A cascode I/O driver is described that includes a barrier formed in the shared region between the two transistors. The barrier region allows the I/O driver to be designed to primarily meet I/O requirements. Accordingly, improved operating speeds are achieved. An system is described that includes an I/O driver in parallel with an ESD device. In an embodiment, the I/O driver may assist the ESD device in discharging electrostatic, after the ESD begins conducting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Chaine, Manny K. F. Ma
  • Patent number: 7900077
    Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one load, a control circuit, and a power supplying apparatus including a control-use power supply part, at least one load-use power supply part, and a power supply control part. The control-use power supply part supplies first electric power to the control circuit, and stops supplying the first electric power and outputs a first detection signal when detecting a first abnormal operation state. The at least one load-use power supply part supplies second electric power to the respective at least one load, and stops supplying the second electric power and outputs a second detection signal when detecting a second abnormal operation state. The power supply control part causes the control-use power supply part to stop supplying the first electric power according to the first detection signal, and causes the at least one load-use power supply part to stop supplying the second electric power according to the second detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kentaroh Hara
  • Patent number: 7898782
    Abstract: An inverter detects whether a fault that an over current is supplied to a load is generated when the inverter supplies AC power and operates the load, and uses a voltage between a collector and an emitter of a switching element for detecting whether an over current is supplied to the load. The inverter cuts off a switching control signal, switches DC power by a plurality of switching elements supplying AC power to the load, detects the generation of the fault by a plurality of fault detecting units using the voltage of both ends of the collector and the emitter of a plurality of switching elements, generates the switching control signal by a controlling unit that outputs the switching control signal to a switching operation unit, and detects the generation of a fault by any of the plurality of fault detecting units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: LS Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong hyun Park
  • Patent number: 7899630
    Abstract: A metering device of a power substation and method are provided for operating on a secondary analog waveform output by a transformer assembly receiving a primary waveform. The method includes stepping down the secondary waveform and generating a corresponding output signal; operating on the corresponding output signal for generating a corresponding first digital signal having a value proportional to the corresponding output signal and within a first range; and operating on the corresponding output signal for generating a corresponding second digital signal having a value proportional to the corresponding output signal and within a second range. The method further includes processing the first digital signal and outputting a corresponding first output signal; processing the second digital signal and outputting a corresponding second output signal; processing the first and second output signals; and generating output corresponding to the processing of the first and second output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Electro Industries/Gauge Tech
    Inventor: Erran Kagan
  • Patent number: 7890232
    Abstract: A first processing circuit determines a collision of a vehicle based on an output from a sensor for detecting a collision of the vehicle. A second processing circuit outputs a signal to deploy an airbag based on an output from the first processing circuit. A communication unit controls information communication between the first processing circuit and an electronic control unit outside the airbag system. A first power supply unit generates a first driving voltage for driving the first and second processing circuits based on a voltage of an outside power supply. The first power supply unit includes backup power supply unit that supplies a backup voltage when the voltage of the outside power supply falls. A second power supply unit supplies a second driving voltage to the communication unit based on an output of the first power supply unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Ten Limited
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Komaki, Yasushi Tani, Kazuaki Matsuda
  • Patent number: 7876543
    Abstract: A gas discharge lamp power supply having a base, a pair of opposed side walls extending from the base, and opposed first and second end walls extending from the base between the opposed side walls. The first end wall has a sloped wall extending angularly between the side walls, and two input terminals are mounted on the sloped wall. In another embodiment, the power supply has a control with a nonvolatile memory for storing an error code in response to a detected fault condition, thereby permitting the error code to be displayed upon power being removed from and then, subsequently reapplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: FRANCE/ A Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: William T. Hopkins, Anthony W. Banks, Alan M. Smith, Louis B. Pickvet, Robert L. Towe, Charles A. Schlemm
  • Publication number: 20110007442
    Abstract: Provided is a protection circuit that is connected between a power supply terminal and an output terminal, and turns off an output transistor when an abnormality occurs in a system, the output transistor outputting a current to a load connected to the output terminal, the protection circuit including: a first discharge unit that is connected between a gate electrode of the output transistor and the power supply terminal, and discharges an electric charge of the gate electrode until a potential of the gate electrode becomes equal to a power supply potential, when an abnormality occurs in the system, and a second discharge unit that is connected between the gate electrode and a source electrode of the output transistor, and discharges the electric charge of the gate electrode until the potential of the gate electrode becomes equal to an output potential, when an abnormality occurs in the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Fukuhara, Tsuyoshi Mitsuda
  • Patent number: 7869177
    Abstract: Embodiments of detection circuitry are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Dongho Lee, David E. Smith
  • Publication number: 20110002074
    Abstract: A protection circuit for a control board is provided. The protection circuit is suitable for being disposed on a light on tester that may output a test voltage to a display module. The protection circuit includes a control device and a voltage stabilizer. The control device includes a first switching element and a control element. The control element enables the first switching element to output an operating voltage. The voltage stabilizer includes a second switching element and an operation module. The operation module may control the second switching element according to the operating voltage, so as to switch on or switch off an input of the test voltage to the display module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: Chunghwa Picture Tubes, Ltd.
    Inventor: Chien-Ping Chen
  • Patent number: 7848071
    Abstract: A power supply controller can include a switching element electrically connected between a power source and a load, an anomaly detecting circuit capable of outputting an abnormal signal, a power supply circuit which generates a constant voltage, a holding circuit which is activated by being supplied with the constant voltage generated by the power supply circuit, continuously outputs a shutoff signal to cause the switching element to perform a shutoff operation on the basis of the abnormal signal, an output circuit, such that if a first off signal is being inputted from an external source, the first off signal continues for a predetermined period of time after the start of the continuous output of the shutoff signal, outputs a second off signal, and an electrical conduction circuit structured to enable the power supply circuit into conduction in response to an on signal from an external source and enable the power supply circuit out of conduction if the second off signal is outputted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignees: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Takahashi, Masayuki Kato
  • Patent number: 7843674
    Abstract: A motor-drive circuit comprising: a current-passage-control circuit to perform ON/OFF control of a drive transistor connected to a motor coil to pass current through the motor coil; an overcurrent-state-detection circuit to detect whether current passing through the drive transistor is in an overcurrent state where the current exceeds a predetermined threshold value; a charging and discharging circuit to start charging a capacitor in response to detecting the overcurrent state by the overcurrent-state-detection circuit and subsequently discharge the capacitor in response to not detecting the overcurrent state; and an overcurrent-protection-control circuit to stop the ON/OFF control to turn off the drive transistor, for an elapsed charging period for a charging voltage of the capacitor at a predetermined voltage to exceed a threshold voltage, and determine whether to perform such an overcurrent-protection-control as to turn off the drive transistor by detection of the overcurrent state, after the charging peri
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Sanyo Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuji Uchiyama
  • Publication number: 20100283623
    Abstract: A safety circuit used in low-voltage connecting systems leaves the two low-voltage systems disconnected until it determines that it is safe to make a connection. When the safety circuit determines that no unsafe conditions exist and that it is safe to connect the two low-voltage systems, the safety circuit may connect the two systems by way of a “soft start” that provides a connection between the two systems over a period of time that reduces or prevents inductive voltage spikes on one or more of the low-voltage systems. When one of the low-voltage systems has a completely-discharged battery incorporated into it, a method is used for detection of proper polarity of the connections between the low-voltage systems. The polarity of the discharged battery is determined by passing one or more test currents through it and determining whether a corresponding voltage rise is observed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Jeffrey Baxter, Brent Baxter, Michael Baxter, Ted Holbrook
  • Publication number: 20100254053
    Abstract: A system for protecting a load from a fault on a line comprising: a detection circuit monitoring the line; and a switch interposed between the line and the load; wherein the detection circuit triggers the switch to disconnect the load from the line when the fault is detected. The detection circuit may trigger the switch within one second of detecting the fault. The detection circuit may monitor the line voltage of the line and the fault may be detected when the line voltage exceeds 125% or 130% of the normal voltage. The load may be automatically reconnected to the line when the line voltage drops to within 5% or 10% of a normal voltage. The fault may be any one or more of an open-neutral, an over-voltage, an under-voltage, a phase loss, and an external trigger, such as an access sensor, a smoke sensor, and/or a heat sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: EMERSON ELECTRIC CO.
    Inventors: Glenn Wilson, Daniel Buchanan
  • Patent number: 7804672
    Abstract: A switched power rail monitor compares voltages provided by a switched power rail and a power source to detect a predetermined differential indicative of a fault at the switched power rail. A switched power rail fault is communicated to a power manager to take corrective action, such as cutting off power to information handling system components. In one embodiment, a pair of bipolar junction transistors monitor the voltage differential to send an enable signal if the differential is within limits and a disable signal if the differential exceeds limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Richard Tonry, Nikolai Vyssotski
  • Patent number: 7793115
    Abstract: Method, and apparatus for operating a power feed in a computing system. One exemplary embodiment includes monitoring the power feed to ensure the power level of the entire system never remains above a first power level and only remains above a second power level for a period of time determined by a timer level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Roger Edward Tipley, Robert A Pereira, E David Neufeld
  • Patent number: 7773355
    Abstract: Improved protection circuits are provided for use as voltage overload protection circuits, ESD protection circuits for RF input pins, and unit protection cells for distributed amplifiers. Preferably, the protection circuits include a positive threshold voltage trigger used to trigger a switch wherein the trigger includes a diode string in series with a resistor and the switch includes a bipolar transistor switch in series with a diode. Alternatively, the trigger includes a diode string in series with a single diode and a single resistor, and is used to trigger a Darlington pair transistor switch in series with a diode. In another embodiment, a Darlington pair transistor switch is triggered by a capacitor. In use with distributed amplifiers, the ESD protection circuits are preferably absorbed inside the artificial transmission lines of the distributed amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Yintat Ma, Guann-Pyng Li
  • Publication number: 20100194345
    Abstract: A voltage detection circuit can include a status sensing network and a comparing network. The status sensing network can simultaneously detect a cell voltage for each battery cell of a plurality of battery cells. The comparing network can simultaneously compare the detected cell voltages with a predetermined voltage threshold by comparing the maximum of the cell voltages with a first (high-voltage) threshold, and by comparing the minimum of the cell voltages with a second (low-voltage) threshold. The comparing network can also generate an indication signal when a cell voltage does not satisfy the respective voltage threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Guo Xing LI
  • Patent number: 7741736
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for sensing the voltage at multiple sense points. The present invention acquires optimal feedback from a plurality of sources including those integrated on the same motherboard, for populated or unpopulated connectors and for adapter cards plugged into the connectors, for the purpose of controlling the voltage regulator output. The voltage regulator, connected to a logic system, provides voltage to those connectors needing the voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond M. Clemo, Jimmy G. Foster, Sr., Suzanne M. Michelich, Sheldon J. Sigrist, Jacques B. Taylor
  • Patent number: 7723938
    Abstract: A control system for multiphase rotary electric machines is provided. The control system carries out control of the output of a multiphase rotary electric machine by operating switching elements of an inverter, so that more appropriate measure can be taken when malfunction has occurred in the inverter. A rotary shaft of an internal combustion engine, a rotary shaft of a generator and a rotary shaft of a motor are linked through a torque-splitting mechanism. The control system carries out failsafe processes, at the occurrence of short circuit in a switching element of the inverter, to control load torque of the generator so as to prevent rotation of a rotary shaft of the internal combustion engine in a non-operative state, which rotation is induced by a motive force of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: DENSO Coporation
    Inventors: Hiroya Tsuji, Shingo Kawasaki, Junji Miyachi
  • Patent number: 7692908
    Abstract: Circuits and methods for protecting polarity-sensitive components, such as light emitting diodes, electrolytic capacitors or integrated circuits, operating from a DC current source including a DC motor, an inductor or relay having a positive terminal and a negative terminal for receiving current from the current source, a protection diode connected parallel with the positive and negative terminals of the motor in a reverse bias configuration, at least one polarity-sensitive component connected in parallel with the protection diode and the DC motor, and a polarity protection transistor connected either between the nominally positive current source terminal and the positive motor terminal, or between the nominally negative current source terminal and the negative motor terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: GLJ, LLC
    Inventors: Harry Chen, Eric Junkel
  • Publication number: 20100073835
    Abstract: A remote sensing circuit and a high-power supply apparatus having the remote sensing circuit. The high-power supply apparatus can include a feedback circuit to feedback power output from a high-power supply unit to an input terminal of the high-power supply apparatus. The remote sensing circuit can include a switching unit connected between an output terminal of the high-power generating unit and the feedback circuit of the high-power supply apparatus to open the connection in a normal status and to close the connection in an abnormal status, a load channel to connect the high-power generating unit and a load, and a remote sensing unit having one terminal commonly connected to the load and the load channel and another terminal commonly connected to the switching unit and the feedback circuit to sense power supplied to the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Jee-hoon JUNG
  • Publication number: 20100013394
    Abstract: A portable rechargeable electronic device, such as a flashlight, with external charging contacts and a short protection circuit is disclosed. The short protection circuit electrically uncouples one of the exposed charging contacts from the rechargeable power supply for the device when the charging contacts are short circuited. The charging contact is uncoupled without opening the power circuit for the device; thus, the device can continue to operate while the charging contacts are shorted. The power supply for the device may be a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventor: Stacey H. West
  • Publication number: 20090326855
    Abstract: To simplify testing of an electrical distribution and/or installation facility, an electrical outlet installed in the electrical distribution and/or installation facility includes an element or a unit for contactless storage of data that include information characteristic for the electrical distribution and/or installation facility. The element or unit may include a writable memory with, for example, a radio or RFID transponder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: Moeller Gebaudeautomation GmbH
    Inventor: MICHAEL BARTONEK
  • Patent number: 7638977
    Abstract: A protective circuit of a battery pack and a method of operating the protective circuit prevents the battery cells from being overcharged by directly detecting overcharge or detecting disconnection of sensing wires, which sense the voltage of battery cells, and instantly shuts off the high current being applied to the battery cells when the sensing wires are disconnected. The protective circuit includes at least one battery cell, and a cell voltage detecting unit adapted to detect the voltage of the battery cell. The protective circuit also includes a switch unit, and a control unit adapted to receive a signal from the cell voltage detecting unit and generate a predetermined control signal based on the signal of the cell voltage detecting unit in order to turn off the switch unit when the battery cell is overcharged or the sensing wire is disconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tae Heom Park
  • Patent number: 7636224
    Abstract: The invention refers to a method and an apparatus (1) for protecting people against leakage currents while using appliances such as home appliances or the like. The apparatus (1) is provided with a differential switch (20) normally open and a differential current transformer (39) which generates a signal proportional to the leakage current, an elaboration unit (50) interfaced with the latter acquires said signal and keeps the switch (20) closed until a dangerous condition is met, corresponding to an acquired signal having a magnitude greater than a limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Trinity S.A.
    Inventor: Sandro Zandonella Balco
  • Publication number: 20090310269
    Abstract: Arrangements (1) are provided with electrical elements (11,21) for, in a feeding mode, receiving feeding signals and, in a non-feeding mode, not receiving the feeding signals, and with circuits (12,22) for, in the feeding mode, detecting malfunctions of the electrical elements (11,21). The circuits (12,22) comprise active switches (13,23) for, in response to detection results, deactivating the electrical elements (11,21) in both modes, in other words in the feeding mode as well as the non-feeding mode. The electrical elements (11,21) for example comprise light emitting diodes, incandescent lights or loudspeakers etc. The active switches (13,23) for example comprise bistable micro-relays or semiconductor switches such as non-volatile power semiconductor switches such as one time programmable flash power MOSFETs etc. Preferably, the arrangements (1) are integrated arrangements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Georg Sauerlander, Gian Hoogzaad
  • Patent number: 7629771
    Abstract: A protection device for non-common ground buses is disclosed. The protection circuit includes a controller, a level shifter, a first group of switches, and a second group of switches. The controller together with the level shifter controls the first group and second group of switches. The non-common ground buses will be isolated when at least one group of the switches are turned off in an abnormal condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: O2Micro International, Ltd.
    Inventors: Guoxing Li, Shiqiang Liu, Sean Xiao