Patents Examined by Danny Nguyen
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Patent number: 11973076Abstract: The present disclosure provides a electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit, coupled between a first reference terminal and a second reference terminal; the ESD protection circuit includes a first voltage divider, a second voltage divider, a first trigger circuit and a second trigger circuit. The first trigger circuit includes a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal is coupled to the first reference terminal, and the second terminal is coupled to the second reference terminal via the first voltage divider. The second trigger circuit includes a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal is coupled to the second reference terminal, the second terminal is coupled to the first reference terminal via the second voltage divider, and the second trigger circuit and the first trigger circuit are in parallel connection.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2021Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.Inventors: Ming-Fang Lai, Liang-Yu Su, Hang Fan
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Patent number: 11973493Abstract: Unique systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of solid state circuit breaker protection are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a solid state circuit breaker comprising a primary switching device including a first terminal and a second terminal and a voltage clamping circuit coupled in parallel with the primary switching device. The voltage clamping circuit includes a metal-oxide varistor (MOV) coupled in series between the first terminal and an auxiliary semiconductor device, the auxiliary semiconductor device being arranged so as to selectively couple the MOV with the second terminal, and a bypass circuit coupled between the first terminal and the auxiliary semiconductor device.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2021Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AGInventors: Xiaoqing Song, Yu Du
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Patent number: 11971168Abstract: An igniter device includes a holder for a piezo electric ignition source. A first end of the inner holder is coupled to a piezo electric ignition source including an actuator. A second end of the inner holder has a surface configured to receive a tip of an oxy fuel torch. An attachment structure releasably attaches the igniter device to a support member. The actuator is moveable from a relaxed state to a compressed state to activate the piezo electric ignition source to produce a spark for igniting the oxy fuel torch to produce a flame when the igniter device is attached to the support member.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2019Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: VAUGHAN IP PTY LTDInventor: John Robert Vaughan
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Patent number: 11959947Abstract: An overvoltage protection circuit for a control unit for a vehicle includes an input terminal for applying an electrical input voltage, a test terminal for applying an electrical test voltage, and an output terminal for providing an electrical output voltage to supply the control unit. The overvoltage protection circuit also includes a reference device to provide a reference voltage using the input voltage. The overvoltage protection circuit includes a dividing device to provide a divided voltage using the output voltage. The overvoltage protection circuit includes a control device to provide a regulation signal using the reference and divided voltages. The overvoltage protection circuit includes a regulation device connected between the input and output terminals. The regulation device provides the output voltage using the input voltage and the regulation signal. The overvoltage protection circuit includes a modification device to modify a value of the divided voltage using the test voltage.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2019Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHRZEUGE GMBHInventors: Thomas Feucht, Guenter Herrmann, Frank Scholl
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Patent number: 11961665Abstract: The invention relates to a device for controlling armature solenoid provided with a DC voltage source (14), at least one buffer capacitor (18), which is connected in parallel to the DC voltage source (14) and has a known capacitance (C), and a first switch (28), which is arranged between the DC voltage source (14) and the buffer capacitor (18). The exciter coil (16) and a second switch (30) arranged in series therewith are connected in parallel to the buffer capacitor (18). A control and evaluation unit (22), when the buffer capacitor (18) is charged, opens the first switch (28) and closes the second switch (30) in order to determine, on the basis of the measurement voltage (20), the frequency of the resonant circuit having the capacitance (C) of the buffer capacitor (18) and the inductance (L) of the armature solenoid (12).Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2019Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: BEHR-HELLA THERMOCONTROL GmbHInventors: Stefan Kirsch, Bastian Bandlow
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Patent number: 11955791Abstract: A short-circuit detector includes: a first Rogowski coil configured to generate a first detection signal in accordance with a current that flows through a first arm due to a short circuit in a load; a second Rogowski coil configured to generate a second detection signal in accordance with a current that flows through the first arm due to a short circuit in the first arm or a second arm; a load short-circuit detection circuit configured to detect the short circuit in the load, based on the first detection signal; an arm short-circuit detection circuit configured to detect the short circuit in the first arm or the second arm, based on the second detection signal; and a short-circuit detection circuit configured to detect a short-circuit, based on: an output signal output from the load short-circuit detection circuit; and an output signal output from the arm short-circuit detection circuit.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventors: Natsuko Takeuchi, Kunio Matsubara, Hiromu Takubo
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Patent number: 11955267Abstract: A reactor includes a first and second winding, a coupling core portion, and a first and second core portion. The coupling core portion forms a coupling magnetic path, through which a magnetic flux generated by the first winding when the first winding is energized and a magnetic flux generated by the second winding when the second winding is energized pass, which magnetically couples the first winding and the second winding together. The first core portion forms a first magnetic path, through which the magnetic flux generated by the first winding when the first winding is energized passes and is aligned with a first plane. The second core portion forms a second magnetic path, through which the magnetic flux generated by the second winding when the second winding is energized passes and is aligned with a second plane. The coupling plane intersects at right angles with the first and second plane.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2019Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Toshiyuki Asahi, Junichi Kotani
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Patent number: 11955954Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor circuit breaker and, more specifically, to a semiconductor circuit breaker in which a protection circuit is modularized and thus maintenance and repair can be easily done. A semiconductor circuit breaker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a main circuit unit connected between a power source and a load and having a semiconductor switch; an outer box equipped with the main circuit unit and having a module accommodation unit outside thereof; and a protection module detachably accommodated in the module accommodation unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2020Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: LS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventors: Woonghyeob Song, Jungwook Sim, Chaeyoon Bae
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Patent number: 11955874Abstract: An electric powered work machine includes an inverter circuit, a power-source-side switching element, a power-source-side resistor, at least one circuit-side resistor, and a fault determiner. The power-source-side switching element is arranged between a direct-current power source and the inverter circuit. The power-source-side resistor is connected in parallel to the power-source-side switching element. The circuit-side resistor is connected to the inverter circuit in such a state that electrical conduction is possible between a positive side and a negative side of the direct-current power source in the inverter circuit in a case where semiconductor switching elements in the inverter circuit are all OFF. The fault determiner determines whether the switching elements are short-circuited based on a voltage at a connection point between the power-source-side switching element and the inverter circuit.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2020Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATIONInventor: Hitoshi Suzuki
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Patent number: 11955793Abstract: A circuit interruption device including first and second terminals for connection, to a respective electrical circuit or network, a current-conductive branch including first, second, and third current-conductive branch portions successively connected in series between the first and second terminals, the first current-conductive branch portion including a first switching element, the second current-conductive branch portion including a second switching element, the third current-conductive branch portion including a third switching element, each switching element configured to be switchable to selectively permit and block a flow of current in the respective current-conductive branch portion, first and second current bypass paths, the first current bypass path connected across the first and second current-conductive branch portions, the second current bypass path connected across the second and third current-conductive branch portions, and a controller configured to selectively control the switching of the switType: GrantFiled: February 10, 2021Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: General Electric Technology GmbHInventors: Robert Whitehouse, Andrzej Adamczyk
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Patent number: 11955956Abstract: A switching circuit includes a main circuit including a number of first transistors. The main circuit has a first node, a second node, and a third node and is operative in response to a control signal received by the first node, and the second node is configured to receive a supply voltage. The switching circuit also includes an auxiliary circuit electrically coupled to the second node of the main circuit and configured to provide surge protection for the main circuit. The auxiliary circuit includes a second transistor. A breakdown voltage of the second transistor is different than a breakdown voltage of each first transistor of the number of first transistors.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Yi-An Lai, Chan-Hong Chern, Cheng-Hsiang Hsieh
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Patent number: 11949201Abstract: A method for assembling a module configured to limit power surge exposure to an electrical device may include providing a carrier configured to receive at least one electrical conductor and at least one surge protection component. A lug defining a hollow space is provided in a pocket of the carrier, and an electrical lead of a surge protection component and an electrical conductor are provided in the hollow space of the lug. The method includes crimping the lug onto the electrical lead of the surge protection component and the electrical conductor such that the electrical lead and the electrical conductor are physically and electrically coupled to one another. The carrier may include multiple pockets receiving multiple lugs, and the multiple lugs may be crimped substantially simultaneously to physically and electrically couple corresponding pairs of electrical leads and conductors.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2022Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Viza Electronics Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Simon Christopher Smith, Jack Lula, Robert Zamora, Anthony Mangiaracina
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Patent number: 11949227Abstract: The invention relates to a transmitter for transmitting a process variable to a programmable logic controller. In a current mode a 4-20 milliamp current is fed into a burden and in a voltage mode 0-10 Volt signals are generated. The transmitter includes a process value input, a current stage, a voltage stage and a U/I output for the current or the voltage signal, and a U/I control input for switching between the two modes. The transmitter is configured to feed a current which is dependent on the voltage across the burden into the current stage via a resistor and thus to compensate for a current loss at the voltage stage which is dependent on the voltage across the burden.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2021Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: IFM Electronic GmbHInventors: Heinz Walter, Dorin Antonovici
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Patent number: 11942777Abstract: A disconnector device including an isolator connected between a first terminal and to a second terminal, and a sleeve positioned around the isolator and moveable between an un-extended position prior to the isolator operating and an extended position after the isolator operates, the sleeve being configured to trap debris produced by operation of the isolator.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2022Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: Hubbell IncorporatedInventors: Bastiaan Hubertus van Besouw, Peter James Swales, Sidharth Suresh Iyer, Mohamed Fayaz Suleiman Khatri, Stephen Franklin Poterala, Robert Christopher Schmitt, Xingniu Huo
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Patent number: 11942878Abstract: A microstructured device is disclosed utilizing Coulomb field modification of surface energy and electroadhesion to localize a device surface or to levitate a device surface with respect to a target surface. The surface energy modification can be permanent or reversible depending on whether the charge is externally delivered to the device or derived on the device galvanically. The microstructure aspect of the device induces various hydrophilic/hydrophobic interactions with the target surface. The Coulomb field can be used to enhance or decrease the hydrophilic/hydrophobic interactions. In combination, the disclosed electro-microstructured device provides for localizing implants in a mammalian body, and additionally means for controlling cell interaction with the implant.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2020Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: BVW Holding AGInventors: Lukas Bluecher, Michael Milbocker
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Patent number: 11936370Abstract: A protection device is capable of protecting a load drive system at an appropriate timing according to a temperature of a power semiconductor. The protection device includes: a capacitor configured to output a voltage according to a charge accumulated by a first current; and a protection circuit configured to: (i) determine whether or not the voltage output by the capacitor exceeds a certain threshold value; (ii) generate a second current having a magnitude according to information related to the temperature of the power semiconductor which drives a load; and (iii) change a magnitude of the first current based on the second current.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2022Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Yusuke Yoshino, Takashi Nakagami, Ryo Iida
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Patent number: 11936308Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide an apparatus for grasping an object. The apparatus includes a substrate comprising a plurality of electrode pixels; and a controller configured to energize each electrode pixel of the plurality of electrode pixels individually, wherein the apparatus is configured to grasp an object electrostatically using the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2021Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: David M. Bain, Brittany P. Chambers
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Patent number: 11936177Abstract: A method is provided for limiting a load current in a supply line that supplies a first load with electrical current. The method includes: defining a first time interval and a second time interval, the first time interval beginning after a time of connection of the first load to the supply line, and the second time interval beginning later than the first time interval; limiting the load current within the first and second time interval to a first value; limiting the load current, at least at the end of the second time interval, to a second value, the second value being smaller than the first value.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2020Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventors: Fabian Hempert, Helmut Suelzle
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Patent number: 11929609Abstract: A surge protection circuit is presented. The surge protection circuit includes an input port for receiving an input voltage; an energy release cell having a first terminal coupled to the input port, a second terminal coupled to ground, and a control terminal coupled to the input port via a first switch device and to the ground via a second switch device. The surge protection circuit is adapted to close the first switch device to enable a current to flow from the input port to ground through the release cell upon occurrence of a positive voltage surge and to close the second switch device to enable a current to flow from ground to the input port through the release cell upon occurrence of a negative voltage surge.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2022Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: Renesas Design Technology Inc.Inventors: Der-Ju Hung, Yuan Wen Hsiao
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Patent number: 11923643Abstract: An electrical power cable is provided with two ends and an elongated length therebetween. The cable includes one or more conductors for conducting electrical power from a power source to an electrical load. One end includes a switch and a relay to provide electrical power to the electrical load and to disconnect an electrical contact from the power conductor.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2021Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AGInventors: Darren Tremelling, Pietro Cairoli, Debrup Das