Patents Assigned to Astec
-
Patent number: 7549877Abstract: An electrical device charger is provided. In various embodiments the charger includes a dual plug pivotally mounted within a plug reservoir of a charging unit. The dual plug includes a set of first pins and a set of second pins, wherein the first pins are fixedly oriented at substantially a 90° angle to the second pins. The first pins are structured for insertion into a first type of electrical supply receptacle and the second pins are structured for insertion into a second type of electrical supply receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2008Date of Patent: June 23, 2009Assignee: Astec International LimitedInventors: Fidel P. Vista, Jr., Randy John T. Delos Santos
-
Publication number: 20090153111Abstract: A switching power converter has at least one electronic power switch. To minimize switching losses and optimize efficiency, the gate drive voltage level used to drive the electronic power switch is optimized. In an aspect, a digital controller generates optimizes the gate drive voltage using efficiency optimization algorithms, which in an aspect are programmed in the digital controller. In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, the switching power supply has at least two electronic power switches coupled in parallel. Optimization algorithms are used to determine the optimum number of switched electronic power switches that are actively being switched at a given time in order to achieve optimized efficiency for condition changes, such as input voltage variation, load and environmental temperature changes. In an aspect, the algorithms are programmed in a digital controller chip.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2007Publication date: June 18, 2009Applicant: Astec International LimitedInventors: Hong Mao, Geof Potter, Vijay Phadke, Gordon Currie, Arlaindo V. Asuncion
-
Patent number: 7548435Abstract: A DC-DC converter includes an inductor, a synchronous rectifier (SR) connected to the inductor, and an active switch connected to the inductor and the SR. An active resonant tank (ART) cell is connected to the SR or a transformer in parallel such that a resonant capacitor of the ART cell is charged through the active switch and discharged through the synchronous rectifier so that during a switch transition period energy is pumped out of the resonant capacitor by activating the ART cell to eliminate reverse recovery switching loss and achieve Zero Voltage Switching (ZVS).Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2006Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: Astec International LimitedInventor: Hong Mao
-
Patent number: 7546883Abstract: A plow assembly includes a housing, a shaft having a first eccentricity and a shaft having a second eccentricity. The shaft having a first eccentricity is mounted within the housing for rotation about a first axis of rotation, and the shaft having a second eccentricity is mounted within the housing for rotation about a second axis of rotation. The assembly also includes a surface breaker blade and a balancing assembly. The surface breaker blade is mounted on the shaft having a first eccentricity in such a manner that rotation of the shaft having a first eccentricity causes the surface breaker blade to move in response to the first eccentricity of the shaft. The balancing assembly is mounted on the shaft having the second eccentricity in such a manner that rotation of the shaft having the second eccentricity causes the balancing assembly to move in response to the second eccentricity of the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2006Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: Astec Industries, Inc.Inventors: David Doering, Thomas Campbell
-
Patent number: 7544036Abstract: A handling assembly for pipe sections for a horizontal directional drill includes a thrust frame and a pipe handler assembly track that is attached to the thrust frame so as to define a pipe section transfer location. The handling assembly also includes a pipe handler carrier that is mounted on the pipe handler assembly track and a magazine that is mounted adjacent to the pipe handler carrier and adapted to discharge a pipe section from the bottom of a selected column to the pipe section transfer location. The pipe handler carrier may be moved along the pipe handler assembly track to a plurality of positions in each of which a pipe section at the bottom of a column of the magazine is aligned with the transfer location, and a column selector rod is mounted with respect to the thrust frame so as to selectively locate the pipe handler carrier along the pipe handler assembly track at a position to align a column of the magazine with the pipe section transfer location.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2006Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: Astec Industries, Inc.Inventors: Guy Randall, Christopher A. Huck
-
Publication number: 20090122578Abstract: A two-stage converter including a buck converter and a DC-DC converter that receives power from the buck converter. The DC-DC converter generates an output voltage of the two-stage converter. A buck control circuit generates a drive signal for the buck converter. The drive signal is based on a first signal representing the output voltage, a second signal representing load applied to the buck converter, and a compensation signal. A characteristic of the compensation signal varies based on the drive signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2008Publication date: May 14, 2009Applicant: ASTEC CUSTOM POWER (HK) LTD.Inventor: Israel G. Beltran
-
Publication number: 20090085546Abstract: A method of controlling a power converter having at least one switching device for supplying an output voltage and a load current to a load is disclosed. The method includes sensing the output voltage and sensing the load current. The method further includes controlling a duty cycle of the switching device according to the sensed output voltage and a voltage control loop when a rate of change of the load current does not exceed a threshold level. The method also includes adjusting the duty cycle of the switching device set by the voltage control loop when the rate of change of the load current exceeds the threshold level.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2008Publication date: April 2, 2009Applicant: Astec International LimitedInventors: Vijay G. Phadke, Arlaindo V. Asuncion, Evan M. Espina, Yancy F. Boncato
-
Publication number: 20090085543Abstract: A method of generating at least a first voltage and a second voltage in a power converter including at least one DC-DC converter is disclosed. The method includes operating the DC-DC converter as a full-bridge converter to generate the first voltage and operating the DC-DC converter as a half-bridge converter to generate the second voltage. Power supplies including a DC-DC converter selectively configurable as a full bridge converter to provide a first DC voltage and as a half bridge converter to produce a second DC voltage and controller circuits for such configuration are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2008Publication date: April 2, 2009Applicant: Astec International LimitedInventors: James Sigamani, Gordon Currie
-
Patent number: 7500530Abstract: A control system for controlling at least one function of an item of construction equipment. The control system includes a pump, a proportional control valve, a directional control valve, a signal source, a switch, and a processor. The proportional control valve is in fluid communication with the pump and the directional control valve is in fluid communication with the proportional control valve. The switch is adapted to be in an open position and in a closed position. The processor is adapted to receive a processor input, receive the signal from the signal source, and transmit a processor output to the proportional control valve. The switch transmits a false signal to the processor when it is in the open position and a true signal when it is in the closed position. The control system is adapted to control the at least one function of the item of construction equipment.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2007Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Assignee: Astec Industries, Inc.Inventor: Justin Wheeler
-
Patent number: 7497274Abstract: A hydraulic fluid tank for a drilling machine includes a primary chamber and a secondary chamber. The primary chamber is located entirely below the hydraulic pump of the drilling machine, and the secondary chamber is located above and in fluid communication with the primary chamber. The secondary chamber is adapted to maintain a hydraulic fluid level that is above the pump suction centerline of the drilling machine pump as the hydraulic fluid in the tank reaches its normal operating temperature during operation of the drilling machine. The secondary chamber is also sized and configured to allow for thermal expansion of hydraulic fluid in the amount of at least about 5% of the total tank volume as the hydraulic fluid in the tank reaches its normal operating temperature during operation of the drilling machine.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2006Date of Patent: March 3, 2009Assignee: Astec Industries, Inc.Inventors: Guy P. Randall, Neil M. Baker, Christopher L. Shepherd
-
Patent number: 7499299Abstract: A circuit for controlling the operation of synchronous rectifiers. The circuit delays the turn-off of the synchronous rectifiers in accordance with the load current. The magnitude of the load current is examined to determine which of a plurality of delay elements is selected to delay turn-off of the synchronous rectifiers. Delay is accomplished by holding up for a predetermined time period one of a plurality of control signals utilized to determine when the synchronous rectifier should be turned-off.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2007Date of Patent: March 3, 2009Assignee: Astec International LimitedInventors: Vijay Phadke, Arlaindo Vitug Asuncion, Richard Daniel Cabbab Caubang
-
Patent number: 7479863Abstract: A transformer includes at least two windings. Each winding has at least one turn, and the windings are configured from a loop of electrically conductive material.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2006Date of Patent: January 20, 2009Assignee: Astec International LimitedInventors: Checky Chow Chi Kit, Kelvin So Wing Chi, Francois Lai Chung Hang
-
Publication number: 20090008364Abstract: The invention relates to a method for etching substrates (4) received in an etching solution (2). Said method comprises the following steps: A basin (1) which can receive the etching solution (2) is prepared, the substrate (4) is completely immersed in the etching solution (2), a flow which surrounds the substrate (4) is produced and the speed and/or direction of the flow can be periodically altered.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2005Publication date: January 8, 2009Applicant: Astec Halbleitertechnologie GmbHInventors: Juergen Schweckendiek, Joerg Franzke, Matthias Niese, Juergen Osterkamp
-
Patent number: 7461746Abstract: A portable screening and washing assembly includes a frame, and in addition, a scrubbing mill, a vibratory screen assembly and a fine material washer, all of which are mounted on the frame. Both the scrubbing mill and the fine material washer are adapted to move between a transport configuration and an operational configuration.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2007Date of Patent: December 9, 2008Assignee: Astec Industries, Inc.Inventors: Alan R. Egge, Steve J. Anderson, Jeffrey A. Wendte
-
Patent number: 7456717Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, an electrical connector is provided. The electrical connector includes an electrically conductive pin extending from a base of the connector. The electrical connector additionally includes a standoff extending from the base adjacent the pin and forming an acute angle with the pin.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2007Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: Astec International LimitedInventors: Alfredo Grueso, Nestor Estrada
-
Patent number: 7455173Abstract: A portable telescoping stacking conveyor for stockpiling bulk particulate materials includes a primary conveyor frame, a secondary conveyor frame, an undercarriage and a base frame having a king pin for engagement with a tow vehicle. The front end of the primary conveyor frame is pivotally mounted to the base frame. The secondary conveyor frame of the portable telescoping stacking conveyor has a left secondary top chord and a right secondary top chord. The secondary conveyor frame is receivable by the primary conveyor frame and moveable with respect thereto between a retracted position and an extended position. The primary conveyor frame is arranged, configured and adapted to support the secondary conveyor frame only by supporting the left secondary top chord and the right secondary top chord.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2006Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: Astec Industries, Inc.Inventors: Boris Fridman, J. Donald Brock
-
Patent number: 7417339Abstract: A power supply includes at least one current source for providing current and a reference voltage generator for providing a first reference voltage and a second reference voltage. A control circuit selectively couples the current to the power supply output as a function of a monitored voltage, the first reference voltage, and the second reference voltage.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2005Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: Astec International LimitedInventor: Wing Ling Cheng
-
Patent number: 7414868Abstract: A switched current power converter including an input power source, an output terminal, and a plurality of current stages. Each current stage includes a converter coupled to the input power source for providing a current, and a switch circuit for selectively coupling the current in such current stage to the output terminal. A control circuit selectively decouples the input power source from less than all of the current stage converters upon detecting a low load condition, thereby reducing circulating current losses and improving operating efficiency under low load conditions.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2005Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: Astec International LimitedInventors: William Lee, Lucy Zhong, Horace Liang, Owen Jiang
-
Patent number: 7385833Abstract: A snubber circuit and corresponding power converter topology for controlling the voltage across the resonant capacitor at turn on of a control switch so as to suppress a spike at the switch caused by the large current pulse and parasitic inductance of the power converter. The suppression of the spike reduces conduction losses and increases efficiency. According to one embodiment, the snubber circuit in a boost converter topology includes a second winding tapped from the main boost inductor and connected in series with a first diode and a second diode. A resonant capacitor and the second diode are connected in a series combination which is in parallel with the main boost diode. The second winding is connected in series with the first diode and the second diode between the output terminals of the converter. Alternatively, the snubber circuit is used in flyback, buck, and forward converter topologies.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2005Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: Astec International LimitedInventor: Lee Tai Keung
-
Patent number: 7375984Abstract: A power converter circuit includes an input switching circuit, an isolation circuit, a rectifier circuit that includes a least a pair of rectifiers, and an output circuit. The input switching circuit receives a first voltage and generates an AC voltage. The isolation circuit has a primary side configured to receive the AC voltage from the input switching circuit and a secondary side. The secondary side communicates with the rectifier circuit and the output circuit. The output circuit includes a secondary inductor and a diode. The secondary inductor communicates with a primary inductor and either the rectifier circuit or the secondary side. The diode communicates with the primary inductor, the secondary inductor, and the rectifier circuit. The secondary inductor inhibits current flow through the rectifier circuit and forces current flow through the diode when no voltage is applied to the primary side of the isolation circuit.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2006Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: ASTEC Custom Power (HK) Ltd.Inventor: Steve Lee Tai Keung