Patents Examined by David Osborn
  • Patent number: 5081368
    Abstract: An uninterruptible power source includes an induction motor/generator assembly and a continuously on line variable speed drive connected to inductively accelerate the motor/generator assembly to near rated speed. When the motor/generator assembly reaches rated speed, the motor/generator is switched to synchronous operation, while still under control of the variable speed drive. The variable speed drive includes slip compensation to maintain the motor at rated speed. The variable speed drive operates in response to a utility power signal and to a standby power signal. When the utility power signal fails, operation of the drive is maintained, without interruption, by the standby power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Atlas Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Geoffrey West
  • Patent number: 5081558
    Abstract: A high voltage DC relay with arc suppression in which a MOSFET in parallel with the relay contacts is turned on during contact break mode by the controlled discharge of a capacitor between the MOSFET source and drain through a constant current diode to suppress arcing. A sensing coil positioned near the relay coil generates current used to charge the charging capacitor during the make contact mode to suppress arcing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Northrop Corporation
    Inventor: Leo M. Mahler
  • Patent number: 5079668
    Abstract: A corona discharging device in which an engaging member engages with one of the slits of a control grid is provided on a cover of an end block. When mounting the control grid on the corona discharging device, one end of the control grid is first attached to the device, and the slit formed in the other end of the control grid engages with the engaging member on the cover. Subsequently, the cover is mounted on the end block with its one end serving as a fulcrum surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Mita Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masanobu Maeshima
  • Patent number: 5075814
    Abstract: An external magnetizing method and external magnetizing apparatus for a rotary electric apparatus having internal permanent magnets, which obtains permanent magnetization of metal pieces fixed along the internal circumference of a yoke from the outside of the yoke while the rotor is situated within the yoke. The external magnetizing method includes the steps of creating the permanent magnets by applying a voltage from a capacitor power source to a yoke magnetizing device adjacent the external circumference of the motor yoke, then incrementally rotating the rotor in its normal rotating direction and thereafter reapplying the capacitor power source voltage to the yoke magnetizing means to again magnetize the metal pieces to obtain a more uniform magnetization when using a capacitor power supply .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: Mitsuba Electric Manufacturing Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiharu Kubota, Atsushi Tsuzaki, Yoshiyuki Yokoyama, Saburo Kimura
  • Patent number: 5073721
    Abstract: A noise immune electronic switch is connectible between a cigarette lighter socket of a vehicle and a plug-in accessory device. The electronic switch is turned on in response to the drop in B+ voltage at the lighter socket when the automobile starter is engaged for rapidly charging an integrating capacitor that is coupled to a comparator. The other comparator input is connected to a source of reference voltage. The output of the comparator, when switched, drives a transistor switch conductive to couple the B+ line between the cigarette lighter socket and an output connector. A filter passes alternator ripple voltage on the B+ line to an amplifier where the ripple is amplified and inverted. The negative half cycles of the ripple voltage charge the integrating capacitor to maintain the comparator output switched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Assignee: Safco Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence Terrill, Francis L. Carr
  • Patent number: 5063474
    Abstract: A static electricity discharging device used in a switch for an electrical equipment includes a push button movable into and out of an operative position so as to operate the switch of the electrical equipment, and an elastic member normally maintaining the push button out of the operative position, the elastic member being elastically deformable by the push button when the push button is moved to the operative position. The static electricity discharging device also includes an electrically-conductive layer disposed on a surface of the elastic member, the electrically-conductive layer being electrically grounded whereby external static electricity applied to the push button is passed directly to the ground through the electrically-conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: Pioneer Electronic Corporation
    Inventor: Ken Igarashi
  • Patent number: 5057965
    Abstract: A device for monitoring the grounding characteristics of both an electrically dissipative work surface and a conductive wrist strap having a grounding tether. The device includes a mat monitor and a strap monitor. The mat monitor checks the resistance of the mat ground path and alerts the user if this resistance exceeds a predetermined resistance. The strap monitor checks the resistance of the wrist strap and tether ground path, and employs a timer to send electrical pulses to the wrist strap rather than having a constant voltage output to the strap. The strap monitor establishes a resistance window for the strap ground path, and alerts the user if the strap ground path resistance falls outside of the resistance window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Robert W. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5055704
    Abstract: An integrated circuit, typically a random access memory, is housed in a package (14). In the application associated with the integrated circuit it is desired to maintain the data states stored in the memory even when the normal supply voltage is disconnected from the package (14). Batteries (24, 26) are secured in recesses (20, 22) within a structure (12) which is connected to the integrated circuit package (14). A top spring clip (100) is provided to securely hold the batteries (24, 26) within the recesses (20, 22) and forms a common conductor in contact with the upper terminal of both batteries. A bottom spring clip (74, 76) is provided for each of the recesses (20, 22) to form separate conductors in contact with the lower terminal of each battery. The batteries can be readily inserted and removed over lips (64, 70) in the recess (20, 22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: SGS-Thomson Microelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Link, Michael L. Bolan, Allen H. Brunk, Jr., Paul E. Schneikart
  • Patent number: 5055702
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling application of electrical power from a selected one of a first and a second source of electrical power to a first and a second energy consuming device is disclosed and comprises a first and second switching device connected between the first and second sources of electrical power and the first and second energy consuming devices to control which energy consuming device is energized and in what manner it is energized from either the first or second source of electrical power. A third switching device is connected to the first and second switching devices to control the position of the first and second switching devices. A fourth switching device is connected to the first and third switching devices to control the position of the first switching device through the third switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Inventor: Amor Bhattacharya
  • Patent number: 5053914
    Abstract: A safety circuit arrangement for the high-voltage generator of an electrostatic filter, in particular of an electrostatic soot trap for diesel internal-combustion engines including a grounded filter housing and a filter electrode, has a power supply (15) which is connected to the high voltage generator (20) via controllable switching means (34). A and a shielded high-voltage cable (17), the high-voltage line (18) of which connects an output (24) of the high-voltage generator (20) to the filter electrode (14). To eliminate the risk to people caused by components carrying high voltage, the shield (19) of the high-voltage cable (17) is connected at one end to the filter housing (11), and at the other end to a control device (25) in such a way that an interruption of the shield (19) leads to the generation of a control signal for the switching means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolf Wessel, Werner Fischer, Rolf Leonhard, Wilhelm Polach, Bernhard Lucas, Wilhelm Stahl
  • Patent number: 5053635
    Abstract: An uninterruptible power source is disclosed and claimed which includes a synchronous motor/generator assembly and a continuously on line variable speed drive connected to inductively accelerate the motor/generator assembly to near synchronous speed. When the motor/generator assembly reaches near synchronous speed, the motor/generator is switched to synchronous operation, while still under control of the variable speed drive. The variable speed drive is connected to maintain synchronicity with the motor/generator during acceleration. Resultantly, when switchover to synchronous operation occurs, no synchronization of the motor/generator to the variable speed drive is required. The variable speed drive operates in response to a utility power signal and to a standby power signal. When the utility power signal fails, operation of the drive is maintained, without interruption, by the standby power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Atlas Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Geoffrey West
  • Patent number: 5053634
    Abstract: A waterproofing device for an outboard engine control circuit having a hydraulic pump for lifting and lowering a propeller from and into the water, a motor for driving the hydraulic pump, and a control circuit for controlling the motor, comprising waterproof relays in which terminal strips are provided by insert molding on the casing of a relay for controlling the motor, leads of the relay are inserted into the slots of the terminal strips to electrically connect the leads to the terminal strips, and a waterproof circuit breaker having a waterproof cover provided thereon; a snap-up cap provided on top of the waterproof cover, being normally recessed, and when the circuit breaker is opened, snapped up by the action of the actuator of the breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Sawafuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiichi Kakinuma
  • Patent number: 5051603
    Abstract: A power switching system for controlling the conductivity of a plurality of thyristors of the gate turn-off type (GTOs) which are connected in parallel between two power sources by gradually introducing a time compensation to force the times of turn-off of each of the thyristors toward matched values by determining the turn-off time during each conduction cycle and thereafter advancing or retarding the turn-off signal for the following conduction cycle to correct for the difference in turn-off times. A difference signal is generated between time of turn-off of an average current of the thyristors and the time of turn-off of an individual current in one of the thyristors from which a time advance or delay signal is added to the thyristor turn-off signal in response to the current flowing in a capacitor type integrator. This allows the turn-off times to reach a perfect match during periods in which the current is the same for several cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Loren H. Walker
  • Patent number: 5051606
    Abstract: A device for connecting and disconnecting a board in a hot state includes a board and a mother-board. The board has mounted thereon dynamic elements through which a low electric current flows during a clock signal disabled state, and a clock signal enable or disable circuit. When a board must be connected or disconnected in the hot state due to a fault therein, the clock circuit in the board is set to the disabled state. The board is connected or disconnected while a low current flows therethrough, after a new board is connected, the clock signal disabled state is released. Thus a connector connecting the board with the mother-board cannot be damaged by a flow of a large electric current during a connection or disconnection of the boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Shohei Ikehara
  • Patent number: 5048941
    Abstract: The surgical microscope comprises a stand, an arm movably attached to said stand for sustaining a microscope body, an electric control equipment divided into a plural number of units removably piled up on said stand and a foot switch unit to be used for executing various types of functions. Accommodated in each unit are a function control means having a single specific function or plural specific functions different from those of the other units and an independent power source means connected to said function control means in a relation of 1:1 or in a different combination. The surgical microscope can be designed compact as a whole, has high operability and assures high security during operation. Should a function be lost due to troubles during operation, the surgical microscope prevents the other functions from being influenced by the troubles and allows to speedily restore the lost function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masami Hamada, Hiroshi Fujiwara, Kosaku Tsuboshima, Masahiko Kinukawa, Toshiyuki Tsunoda, Takashi Nagano, Kazyuki Minami, Shigeo Tokunaga, Masanori Kaneda, Tomonori Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 5043858
    Abstract: A high-voltage generating circuit for generating a high voltage from a power voltage with a high efficiency is disclosed. The high-voltage generating circuit comprises a series circuit of a plurality of field effect transistors connected in series between a power voltage terminal and a high-voltage output terminal, a plurality of capacitors having one end connected to intermediate nodes of the field effect transistors, and first and second clock signal generators for generating first and second clock signals having larger value than the power voltage and different phases. The first and second clock signals are applied to the other ends of the respective two adjacent capacitors, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5039832
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an illuminated touch button system having a light ring element, a button element located within and surrounded by the light ring element and an array of light emitting diodes. The light ring element comprises a series of individual chambers situated substantially over each light emitting diode in the array. In the preferred embodiment, each chamber includes a set of three light-receiving triangulated surfaces, these surfaces having a series of edges which act to diffuse the illumination of the light emitting diodes. The chambers, in combination with the edges, produce a relatively even, bright light distribution in the portion of the light ring element surrounding the button element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Richard R. Polacek, Steven B. Davis, Jean Youla
  • Patent number: 5038050
    Abstract: In a combination junction box/fuselink relay box system comprising separate junction and fuselink relay boxes adapted to be mechanically coupled, the junction box and fuselink relay box are each provided with complementary fuselink socket portions which mate to form a common fuselink socket when the junction box and fuselink relay box are coupled. A fuselink inserted in the common socket provides direct electrical connection between the junction and fuselink relay boxes, eliminating the need for intermediate wire connection between the junction box and fuselink relay box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Yazaki Eds
    Inventor: Takayoshi Minoura
  • Patent number: 5038248
    Abstract: A electrostatic discharge protecting device, to be included in a package carrier assembly, includes shorting elements for shorting the leads together in combination with biasing elements to bias the shorting elements into engagement with the leads and an actuator which is responsive to being inserted into a tester to overcome the biasing element and disengage the shorting elements from the leads and to automatically re-engage the shorting elements to the leads upon removal from the tester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventor: Russell L. Meyer
  • Patent number: RE33825
    Abstract: A relay driver circuit, suitable for controlling a bistable relay, includes .[.a storage device which is charged to a first voltage level by a low current flow voltage source..]. .Iadd.a transformer which handles both an information signal and a control signal and a storage device. The control signal is provided by a low current low voltage source. .Iaddend.A first switching circuit couples the storage device to the bistable relay when the first voltage level exceeds a predetermined value. The charge on the storage device is dumped into the relay and forces it into a first state (set). A second switching circuit is coupled to sense the voltage on the storage device and the voltage on the low voltage source. When the voltage on the low voltage source falls below the voltage on the storage device, current flows from the storage device and forces the relay into a second state (reset). The reset time is within 100 .mu.s.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas E. Stammely