Patents Examined by Amy He
  • Patent number: 8643379
    Abstract: A sensor web for electric field sensing. A substrate has a longitudinal direction. At least one array of electrically conductive sensor areas follows each other in a successive manner along the longitudinal direction and is arranged on one side of the substrate. A group of conductors is on the same side of the substrate. Each electrically conductive sensor area that is to be used for sensing purposes is electrically connected to one conductor. The conductors are adapted to join one by one the group of the conductors advancing in the longitudinal direction of the substrate and the other conductors of the group are adapted to give space for the joining conductor. A method for manufacturing of a sensor web and a system for monitoring a space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Elsi Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Juhani Virtanen, Kari Kyyny, Timo Joutsenoja
  • Patent number: 8624611
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for monitoring galvanic isolation of a fuel cell device. At least one stack of fuel cells and at least one load circuit for fuel cells are arranged to an electrically freely floating configuration towards at least one structure near fuel cells. A controlled switching is performed via at least two switching points to at least one measurement element having known impedance in connection to the at least one structure. Measurements are performed from the measurement element to form voltage information. The voltage information and at least voltage information between switching points are processed to check floatages of fuel cells in relation to said at least one structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Convion Oy
    Inventor: Kim Åström
  • Patent number: 8618813
    Abstract: To detect accurately an insulation fault in a load circuit, Power supply lines and an electric heater (a load circuit) are connected by a detecting portion to detect a detected voltage (detected value) in accordance with the magnitude of a leakage current Id that flows through a ground between the power supply lines and the electric heater, and an evaluation as to whether or not there is a breakdown of insulation of the electric heater relative to the ground is performed by an evaluating portion based on the detected value obtained when the relay contact points are open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Azbil Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeki Ishii, Satoru Yamagishi
  • Patent number: 8614587
    Abstract: A capacitance sense system can include a capacitance sense input configured to receive an input signal that varies according to a sensed capacitance; an integrator/discharge circuit configured to integrate the input signal and discharge the integrated input signal toward the reference level in conversion operations; and a remainder retainer section configured to quantize the discharging of the integrated input signal, and retain any remainder of the integrated input signal that follows a quantization point for a next conversion by the integrator/discharge circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Roman Ogirko, Andriy Maharyta, Viktor Kremin
  • Patent number: 8604799
    Abstract: A method for determining damaged faulty and/or weak points in a structural seal. The seal is provided with an electrically conductive layer arranged inside or outside the structural seal and extends over substantially the entire surface of the structural seal and to which layer an electrical test voltage is applied. To establish the damaged, faulty and/or weak points, a further electrically conductive layer is used, which is electrically separated from the aforementioned electrically conductive layer by the structural seal and extends over substantially the entire surface of the structural seal. The level of the test voltage between the electrically conductive layers charged with voltage is selected such that when at least one electrically non-conductive damaged, faulty and/or weak point is present in the structural seal, the electrical disruptive strength is exceeded and an electric spark or arc is formed at the location of the damaged, faulty and/or weak point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Progeo Monitoring GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Rödel, Norbert Komma
  • Patent number: 8598886
    Abstract: Apparatus for detecting faults in the delivery of electrical power to electrical loads, includes a plurality of load electrical connections arranged to deliver electrical power from an electrical power source to each of a plurality of electrical loads, a plurality of electrical switches, each connected to an associated one of the load connections, and a diagnostic device operable to detect a short circuit fault in the apparatus, wherein the diagnostic device is operable to apply a diagnostic procedure to detect a short circuit connection between at least two of the load electrical connections and includes a control logic unit operable to apply to each of the electrical switches in turn a test control signal causing operation of the switch to apply a test electrical signal to each of the load electrical connections in turn; and detector means connected to the load electrical connections and operable, while the test electrical signal is applied in turn to each load electrical connection, to detect whether a cor
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Kamel Abouda, Stephanie Creveau-Boury, Murielle Delage, Pierre Turpin
  • Patent number: 8598892
    Abstract: A method for detecting detachment of a reinforcing component that is attached to a body skin component of a vehicle body of a vehicle, the body skin component and the reinforcing component forming an electric capacitor together with an intermediate adhesive layer, said capacitor having a capacitance that changes if there is at least partial detachment of the body skin component from the reinforcing component, the capacitance of the capacitor or a change in the capacitance of the capacitor being measured in order to detect detachment of the reinforcing component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Bach, Marc Baulenas
  • Patent number: 8593156
    Abstract: A microwave emitter for use in a microwave sensor assembly that includes an emitter body includes a first arm that extends radially outward from the emitter body. The first arm is at least partially non-linear and includes at least one peak and at least one trough. The microwave emitter also includes a second arm that extends radially outward from the emitter body. The second arm includes at least one peak and at least one trough. The first arm and the second arm generate an electromagnetic field when at least one microwave signal is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yongjae Lee, Boris Leonid Sheikman, Steven Go
  • Patent number: 8593152
    Abstract: A testing device which may be used to conduct ground resistance and soil resistivity measurements. The testing device comprises both a main unit and a remote unit adapted to communicate with one another via a communication link. After setting the testing device up according to the desired measurement technique, the procedure may be carried out, and the resulting measurement values are subsequently displayed on the remote unit. This allows a single operator to perform measurements while standing directly adjacent to an electrode, which is, for example, placed at a large distance from the main unit and/or other electrodes. This relieves the operator from constantly having to walk back and forth placing electrodes in different positions, and also obviates the need to return to the main unit of the testing device to consult a display and/or change parameters or settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Klaus Laepple, Gavin Kirk, Ronald Steuer
  • Patent number: 8581571
    Abstract: Provided is a measurement apparatus that measures a characteristic of a filter, comprising a first transmission line that has the filter connected therein, the first transmission line receiving a multi-tone signal having signal components at a plurality of frequencies from an input end thereof, passing the multi-tone signal through the filter, and outputting the multi-tone signal from an output end thereof; a second transmission line that receives the multi-tone signal from an input end thereof, propagates the multi-tone signal therein, and outputs the multi-tone signal from an output end thereof; and a measuring section that calculates the characteristic of the filter based on the multi-tone signal output from the output end of the first transmission line and the multi-tone signal output from the output end of the second transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Advantest Corporation
    Inventors: Taro Osumi, Yutaka Ueki
  • Patent number: 8581605
    Abstract: A nanopore device includes a membrane having a nanopore extending there through forming a channel from a first side of the membrane to a second side of the membrane. The surface of the channel and first side of the membrane are modified with a hydrophobic coating. A first lipid monolayer is deposited on the first side of the membrane, and a second lipid monolayer is deposited on the second side of the membrane, wherein the hydrophobic coating causes spontaneous generation of a lipid bilayer across the nanopore orifice. Sensing entities, such as a protein ion channel, can be inserted and removed from the bilayer by adjusting transmembrane pressure, and adapter molecules can be electrostatically trapped in the ion channel by applying high transmembrane voltages, while resistance or current flow through the sensing entity can be measured electrically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Henry S White, Ryan J White, Eric N Ervin
  • Patent number: 8564303
    Abstract: An anomaly on an elongate conductive member is detected by causing a source electromagnetic wave to propagate in a first direction along the elongate conductive member such that the source electromagnetic wave passes through the at least one anomaly. The anomaly causes a reflected electromagnetic wave to propagate in a second direction along the elongate conductive member. The second direction is opposite the first direction. The electric field of the reflected electromagnetic wave is sensed. The magnetic field of the reflected electromagnetic wave is sensed. A direction of propagation of the reflected electromagnetic wave is determined based on the electric field of the reflected electromagnetic wave and the magnetic field of the reflected electromagnetic wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: WaveTrue, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Frost, Ronald J Focia
  • Patent number: 8552728
    Abstract: A circuit breaker electronic trip unit includes a controller, and a memory that stores a threshold tripping duration. The memory is readable by the controller. The trip unit includes a trip signal output, and an input section that receives at least one of a phase current level signal, a phase or line voltage level signal, and a contact state change signal. The trip unit activates the trip signal output and monitors the input section for a predetermined signal change. The trip unit determines a tripping duration from a timing of the activation of the trip signal output and a timing of the predetermined signal change. The trip unit compares the tripping duration to the threshold tripping duration to determine a sluggish circuit breaker operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Utility Relay Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Helmut Weiher
  • Patent number: 8552741
    Abstract: A method of detection of a distance variation with respect to an axis of at least one point of an object rotating around this axis by a terminal at a fixed position with respect to the axis and capable of emitting a radiofrequency field for at least one resonant circuit attached to the object. The method includes the steps of measuring and recording, on the terminal side, a maximum value of a quantity representative of the coupling between an oscillating circuit of the terminal and the at least one resonant circuit; and detecting a variation of this periodic maximum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SAS
    Inventor: Luc Wuidart
  • Patent number: 8547108
    Abstract: The present document describes an assembly for connecting a test unit to a wiring harness or equipment to be tested, and a method for testing using the assembly. The assembly may comprise a test box unit, a generic mate-in interface, and at least one specific mate-in interface. The generic mate-in interface is for connection to the test box unit on one end, and to the at least one specific mate-in interfaces at the other end. The mate-in interfaces are for testing different existing wiring harnesses or equipment. Each one of the generic and specific mate-in interfaces has a specific ID. Information relating to the IDs of the connectors and the contact configuration of each mate-in interface is stored in a database of the test unit for identifying the appropriate test contacts that should be used for testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Ziota Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Alain Lussier
  • Patent number: 8547118
    Abstract: An apparatus includes multiple capacitive sensing elements coupled through a filter network. The apparatus can include a control device configured to excite the capacitive sensing elements with different scanning frequencies and determine capacitances corresponding to each of the capacitive sensing elements based on sensor responses to the excitation of the capacitive sensing elements with the different scanning frequencies and a configuration of the filter network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Santhosh Kumar Vojjala, Vibheesh Bharathan, Sai Prashanth Chinnapalli, Jijeesh Choorakottayil Gopinathan, Edward Grivna, David G. Wright
  • Patent number: 8542022
    Abstract: Disclosed is a very low frequency test generator for generating a high voltage having a low frequency in order to test the insulation of capacitive loads, in particular power cables. Said VLF test generator comprises two oscillators, the frequencies of which differ from one another by twice said low frequency, a resonance circuit which is fed in an interfering manner by the oscillators, is adjusted to the oscillator frequencies and causes a voltage rise of the interfering oscillator frequencies, and a demodulator for disconnecting the low-frequency high voltage generated by the interference from the resonance circuit and applying the same to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Mohaupt High Voltage GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Mohaupt
  • Patent number: 8519725
    Abstract: An occupant detection system includes a detection electrode provided in a vehicle seat, a phase difference measuring unit, a direct current measuring unit, and a detecting unit that detects an occupant. The phase difference measuring unit supplies a reference signal comprising a sinusoidal wave to the detection electrode via a resistive element, detects the potential of the detection electrode as an electrode signal, and measures a phase lag time of the electrode signal relative to the reference signal. The direct current measuring unit applies a steady DC voltage to the detection electrode via a resistive element, detects the potential of the detection electrode, and measures time it takes from start of application of the DC voltage to the time when the detection electrode reaches a given potential, as a charge time. The detecting unit detects an occupant based on the phase lag time and the charge time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Uno, Junko Shima, Yasuhiro Ishiguro
  • Patent number: 8519733
    Abstract: A measurement terminal is arranged at an edge of a semiconductor wafer to be apart from a gate electrode and a source electrode formed in a surface portion on one side in a thickness direction of a semiconductor wafer so that an electrode contact portion is in contact with a drain electrode on the other side in the thickness direction of the semiconductor wafer and that a terminal contact portion is exposed to the one side in the thickness direction of the semiconductor wafer. A probe terminal is brought into contact with the terminal contact portion of the measurement terminal and the probe terminal is brought into contact with the gate electrode and the source electrode, to thereby measure electrical characteristics of a MOSFET.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Narazaki
  • Patent number: 8519721
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for compensation of system tolerances in an inductive coupler which includes a power generator that feeds an alternating current into a series resonance circuit formed by a resonance capacitor and an inductive rotating transmission device. First, a brief sequence of at least one period of an alternating current is fed by the power generator into the series resonance circuit. Then the series resonance circuit is short-circuited. A first resonance frequency is measured. Then a longer sequence having a plurality of periods of an alternating-current voltage is generated by the power generator, so that a given small voltage is built up at the load. Now a second resonance frequency is measured while the resonance circuit is short-circuited. Then at least one correcting variable for the power generator is determined from the two resonance frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Schleifring und Apparatebau GmbH
    Inventors: Nils Krumme, Arno Zimpfer, Stefan Fischer