Patents Examined by Dharti Patel
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Patent number: 9019668Abstract: An integrated circuit having charged-device model (CDM) electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection includes an I/O circuit, at least one CDM ESD protection device, and at least one internal circuit. The integrated circuit further includes at least one TSV (Through Silicon Via) each being coupled between a ground of at least one ground of the input/output circuit and one of the at least one ESD protection device, wherein each of the at least one ESD protection device is coupled between one of the at least one TSV and a ground of one of the at least one internal circuit.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2012Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Industrial Technology Research InstituteInventors: Chih Ting Yeh, Yung Chih Liang
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Patent number: 9018914Abstract: An electric circuit comprising means for communicating with an external device coupled to means for measuring the charge condition of an external battery. In some embodiments, the circuit comprises at least one level shifter for changing the reference voltage of communication signals. In some embodiments, the circuit comprises a first driver and a second driver for driving external switching elements for the controlled charge and discharge of the battery.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2012Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.Inventors: Angelo Genova, Urs Harald Mader, Marvin L. Peak, Jr.
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Patent number: 9013840Abstract: A device for improving the filter effect of a filter connected up between an electrical energy source and a source of interference is provided. The filter is configured to feed back interference transients from ground to an input of the source of interference generating the interference transients. The device includes a measuring device for determining a leakage current flowing through the filter and a final control element configured to modify a limit frequency of the filter such that the leakage current through the filter is damped to below a predefined level if the measuring device detects the leakage current.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Walter Beyerlein, Andre Gebhardt, Tobias Graβl, Thomas Weidinger
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Patent number: 9013843Abstract: A multiple device voltage electrostatic discharge (ESD) clamp includes a trigger circuit, first and second inverters, and an ESD discharge path. The trigger circuit includes a resistor having a first terminal electrically connected to a first voltage supply node, and a capacitor having a first terminal electrically connected to a second voltage supply node. The first inverter has an input terminal electrically connected to second terminals of the resistor and the capacitor. The second inverter has a power terminal electrically connected to an output terminal of the first inverter. The ESD discharge path has a first end electrically connected to the first voltage supply node, and a second end electrically connected to a third voltage supply node, and includes a first transistor controlled by the first inverter, and a second transistor controlled by the second inverter.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Yu-Ren Chen, Guang-Cheng Wang
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Patent number: 9007732Abstract: Device structures and methods for providing carbon nanotube field effect transistor (CNTFET) devices with enhanced current carrying capability at lower densities are disclosed. Apparatuses and methods using CNTFET devices for providing protection from electrostatic discharge (ESD) voltages are also disclosed. According to some aspects of the present disclosure the electrostatic discharge protection circuits are configured with CNTFET diodes and provide protection from electrostatic discharge induced voltages for a protected circuit without affecting the normal operation of the protected circuit. According to some aspects of the present disclosure the methods for providing protection from electrostatic discharge voltages create conducting paths for providing protection from electrostatic discharge induced voltages for a protected circuit without affecting the normal operation of the protected circuit.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Nantero Inc.Inventor: Claude L. Bertin
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Patent number: 8988844Abstract: A drive circuit for an electromagnetic relay having a relay coil and switch contacts, includes a first switching device between a first coil terminal and a first voltage source, a second switching device between a second coil terminal and a zero potential, and a control device producing a current through the coil closing both switching devices. To provide the shortest possible response time and simple and cost-effective construction, a second voltage source is connected through a third switching device to the first coil terminal. The third switching device is connected in parallel with the first switching device, the second voltage source has a higher voltage level than the first voltage source and the control device produces a current through the coil, initially closing all three switching devices and following expiration of a predefined period, opening the third switching device again and keep the first and second switching devices closed.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2010Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Carsten Braun, Ronald Stempel, Harald Strohmaier
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Patent number: 8981591Abstract: A safety device for a high-voltage component including a cover that covers at least a part of the high-voltage component, a low-voltage circuit that controls a conduction/shut-off state of an electric circuit for supplying power to the high-voltage component, and a selecting unit that selects the conduction/shut-off state of the low-voltage circuit by an operation accompanying an attachment/removal work of the cover.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2011Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Suzuki Motor CorporationInventors: Masayuki Ikeno, Junka Iwasaki, Hiromasa Minami
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Patent number: 8970997Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit is provided. The ESD protection circuit includes an impedance device coupled between a pad and a power line and a clamp unit coupled between the pad and a ground line.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2012Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: MediaTek Inc.Inventors: Bo-Shih Huang, Tsung-Ming Chen, Yuan-Hung Chung
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Patent number: 8964345Abstract: A semiautomatic switching device is configured to selectively connect one of two power sources to a load. Each of the power sources is a split-phase power source including a first hot lead, a second hot lead, and a neutral lead. When the second split-phase power source is generating power, the voltage between the first or second hot lead and the neutral lead closes a corresponding first or second contact. The first and second contacts are connected in series between the first hot lead, the second hot lead and a third switch. The voltage potential present between the first hot lead and the second hot lead closes a third and fourth contact. The third contact is connected in series between the first hot lead and the load and the fourth contact is connected in series between the second hot lead and the load. The switching device protects against open neutral conditions.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2013Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Reliance Controls CorporationInventor: Neil A. Czarnecki
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Patent number: 8958190Abstract: A control circuit, comprising a protection detection circuit, a protection synchronous output circuit, a protection synchronous input circuit and a protection circuit, is provided. The protection detection circuit is adapted to generate an error notice signal when detecting an error condition. The protection synchronous output circuit is coupled to the protection detection circuit for enabling a level of a protection synchronous pin to be a protection level when receiving the error notice signal. The protection synchronous input circuit is coupled to the protection synchronous pin for generating a synchronous protection signal when the level of the protection synchronous pin has been at the protection level for a predetermined time period. The protection circuit generates a protection signal to make the control circuit enter a protection mode when receiving one of the error notice signal and the synchronous protection signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2012Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Green Solution Technology Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shian-Sung Shiu, Chih-Chun Sung, Xi Tu
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Patent number: 8958189Abstract: A high voltage semiconductor switch includes a first field-effect transistor having a source, a drain and a gate, and being adapted for switching a voltage at a rated high-voltage level, the first field-effect transistor being a normally-off enhancement-mode transistor, a second field-effect transistor having a source, a drain and a gate, connected in series to the first field-effect transistor, the second field-effect transistor being a normally-on depletion-mode transistor; and a control unit connected to the drain of the first field-effect transistor and to the gate of the second field-effect transistor and being operable for blocking the second field-effect transistor if a drain-source voltage across the first field-effect transistor exceeds the rated high-voltage level.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2013Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AGInventors: Joachim Weyers, Franz Hirler, Anton Mauder
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Patent number: 8958185Abstract: A circuit includes a first node configured to receive a radio frequency (“RF”) signal, a first electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit coupled to a first voltage supply rail for an RF circuit and to a second node, and a second ESD protection circuit coupled to the second node and to a second voltage supply node for the RF circuit. An RF choke circuit is coupled to the second node and to a third node disposed between the first node and the RF circuit.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2011Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ming Hsien Tsai, Jun-De Jin, Hsieh-Hung Hsieh, Tzu-Jin Yeh
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Patent number: 8957785Abstract: A performance measuring system integrated with an article of clothing, the system has a computing unit for coordinating, processing and transmission of sensor data connected to a bus and an antenna. A sensor for measuring performance characteristics is connected to the bus; the bus facilitates transmission and reception of control and data values between the computing unit and the sensor. Also, an antenna is connected to the computing unit for communicating with other computing devices and transmission of sensor data. The other computing devices display the sensor data to a user or forward the sensor data onto another communication media such as the Internet or interactive television. A social networking system sharing athletic statistics using a webservice, a personal processing unit connectible to the webservice, and a computing unit having an activity program for at least one sensor. This system has an activity update service integrally associated with the webservice.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2012Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Mayfonk Athletic, LLCInventors: Martin Matak, Jef Spaleta
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Patent number: 8958183Abstract: The present disclosure provides an industrial GFCI for control panels and/or industrial machines. The industrial GFCI senses when a fault condition has occurred in an associated circuit or load and quickly disconnect the circuit. In some exemplary embodiments, the industrial GFCI includes a bypass switch, which couples a load directly to a power source, bypassing fault detection. In some exemplary embodiments, the industrial GFCI also includes intelligent filtering, which discriminate between true fault events and false signals caused by environmental noise. Further, the industrial GFCI is manufactured as a part of a control panel or a piece of equipment. In certain exemplary embodiments, the industrial GFCI is manufactured as a portable kit capable of coupling to and decoupling from one or more control panels, machines, etc.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2012Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Cooper Technologies CompanyInventors: Darron Lacey, Luis F. Salas, Carlos Eduardo Restrepo
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Patent number: 8952657Abstract: A battery is protected without realizing the state of every vehicle element connected to the battery or the battery input/output current. A current limit value setting unit sets a current limit value for limiting the battery input/output current in accordance with state of the battery. A limiting current ratio calculation unit calculates a ratio of the current limit value set by the current limit value setting unit to a detected battery current value. A request limit coefficient calculation unit calculates a limit coefficient for limiting a request value for driving respective vehicle components based on the ratio calculated by the limiting current ratio calculation unit. In addition, a final request value calculation unit calculates as a final request value for the respective vehicle components, respective multiplication values resulting from multiplying the respective request values for the respective components by the limit coefficient calculated by the request limit coefficient calculation unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2012Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Suzuki Motor CorporationInventor: Atsushi Hamai
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Patent number: 8947842Abstract: An electronic circuit includes a temperature evaluation circuit. The temperature evaluation circuit includes a first sensor circuit with a first output terminal that is configured to sense a first temperature at a first position of the electronic circuit and to generate at the first output terminal a first output current that is dependent on the first temperature. A second sensor circuit includes a second output terminal and is configured to sense a second temperature at a second position of the electronic circuit and to generate at the second output terminal a second output current that is dependent on the second temperature. An evaluation circuit has an input terminal connected to the first output terminal and the second output terminal and is configured to provide an evaluation signal that is dependent on a current received at the input terminal.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2011Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AGInventor: Martin Feldtkeller
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Patent number: 8941962Abstract: A snubber circuit includes: at least one impedance component, a capacitor, and a Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT). The snubber circuit is utilized for protecting electric/electronic components, reducing high frequency interference and spike voltage, and enhancing efficiency. In particular, the at least one impedance component in the snubber circuit can be at least one zener diode, where regarding protecting electric/electronic components, reducing high frequency interference and spike voltage, and enhancing efficiency, the performance of the snubber circuit in a situation where the zener diode is utilized is better than that of the snubber circuit in a situation where other types of impedance components are utilized. An associated method of using a BJT in a snubber circuit is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: FSP Technology Inc.Inventor: Kuo-Fan Lin
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Patent number: 8937796Abstract: Variable frequency motor drives and control techniques are presented in which filter capacitor faults are detected by measuring filter neutral node currents and/or voltages and detecting changes in a frequency component of the measured neutral condition and/or based on input current unbalance.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2012Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Yuan Xiao, Navid Zargari, Manish Pande, Vijay Khatri
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Patent number: 8934213Abstract: The technologies disclosed herein introduce an electroshock weapon system for a mobile device. The system can discharge electrical energy as intended to be used as a means of self-defense. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a housing, an electroshock module and a battery. The housing has a shape adapted to secure to the mobile device, and the electroshock module and battery are positioned inside the housing. The electroshock module is configured to release an electric shock. The battery is configured to supply electrical power to the electroshock module and, optionally, the mobile device.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2012Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Yellow Jacket, L.L.C.Inventors: Seth A. Froom, Trevor Reeves
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Patent number: 8929036Abstract: In one aspect, a method of electrical arc fault detection when high frequency (e.g., RF noise) is present is disclosed. The method includes determining if first arcing criterion is met, determining if delay criterion is met, implementing a delay for a delay period if the delay criterion is met, and determining if second arcing criterion is met. If the second arcing criterion is met, then a trip signal may be sent to trip the circuit breaker. In another aspect, the method includes determining if first arcing criterion is met, starting delay period if the first arcing criterion is met, determining if delay criterion is met, and if the delay criterion is met, determining if second arcing criterion is met. An arc fault detection apparatus adapted to carry out the methods, and systems including the arc fault detection apparatus are disclosed, as are various other aspects.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2011Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventors: Amit Nayak, Hugh T. Kinsel