Patents Examined by Dharti Patel
  • Patent number: 9019668
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chih Ting Yeh, Yung Chih Liang
  • Patent number: 9018914
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Angelo Genova, Urs Harald Mader, Marvin L. Peak, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9013840
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Walter Beyerlein, Andre Gebhardt, Tobias Graβl, Thomas Weidinger
  • Patent number: 9013843
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Ren Chen, Guang-Cheng Wang
  • Patent number: 9007732
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Nantero Inc.
    Inventor: Claude L. Bertin
  • Patent number: 8988844
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Carsten Braun, Ronald Stempel, Harald Strohmaier
  • Patent number: 8981591
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Ikeno, Junka Iwasaki, Hiromasa Minami
  • Patent number: 8970997
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: MediaTek Inc.
    Inventors: Bo-Shih Huang, Tsung-Ming Chen, Yuan-Hung Chung
  • Patent number: 8964345
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Reliance Controls Corporation
    Inventor: Neil A. Czarnecki
  • Patent number: 8958190
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Green Solution Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shian-Sung Shiu, Chih-Chun Sung, Xi Tu
  • Patent number: 8958189
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Joachim Weyers, Franz Hirler, Anton Mauder
  • Patent number: 8958185
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming Hsien Tsai, Jun-De Jin, Hsieh-Hung Hsieh, Tzu-Jin Yeh
  • Patent number: 8957785
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Mayfonk Athletic, LLC
    Inventors: Martin Matak, Jef Spaleta
  • Patent number: 8958183
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Darron Lacey, Luis F. Salas, Carlos Eduardo Restrepo
  • Patent number: 8952657
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Hamai
  • Patent number: 8947842
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventor: Martin Feldtkeller
  • Patent number: 8941962
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: FSP Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Kuo-Fan Lin
  • Patent number: 8937796
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuan Xiao, Navid Zargari, Manish Pande, Vijay Khatri
  • Patent number: 8934213
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Yellow Jacket, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Seth A. Froom, Trevor Reeves
  • Patent number: 8929036
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Amit Nayak, Hugh T. Kinsel