Patents Examined by Dominic E Hawkins
  • Patent number: 11366139
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a current measuring system. The current measuring system includes a busbar, a magnetic field sensor chip encased by a sensor housing, wherein a geometry of the sensor housing is independent of a geometry of the busbar; and an adapter piece for receiving the sensor housing, said adapter piece being adapted to the geometry of the busbar, wherein the adapter piece is fixable to the busbar, wherein the magnetic field sensor chip is fixed in a predetermined measurement position when the sensor housing is received into the fixed adapter piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Inventors: Dirk Hammerschmidt, Robert Hermann
  • Patent number: 11366036
    Abstract: A gauge having a housing formed of a polymer material and one or more electrical feedthrough pins disposed in the housing. The electrical feedthrough pins can be oriented substantially perpendicular to each other and have complex shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon J. Kelly, Clinton L. Percy, Scott C. Heinbuch, Gerardo A. Brucker, Timothy C. Swinney, Timothy R. Piwonka-Corle
  • Patent number: 11366140
    Abstract: A current measurement circuit, for wireless charging systems, for instance, comprises a differential input configured to have applied an input voltage sensed across a shunt resistor traversed by a current to be measured, a voltage reversal switch arrangement selectively switchable to reverse the polarity of the input voltage as applied between a first and a second voltage sensing nodes as well as a first and a second current flow line between the voltage sensing nodes and ground. A difference resistor intermediate the two current flow lines is traversed by a current which is a function of the input voltage as applied to the first and second sensing nodes via the voltage reversal switch arrangement. First and second current sensing nodes at the two current flow lines are coupled to a differential current output via a current reversal switch arrangement selectively switchable to reverse the output current polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Paolo Angelini, Roberto Pio Baorda, Francesco Borgioli, Marco Garbarino
  • Patent number: 11360123
    Abstract: The current sensor has a conductive member through which a current to be measured flows in a predetermined direction, and a magneto electric converter facing and spaced apart from the conductive member in an intersecting direction intersecting the predetermined direction. An opposing portion of the conductive member facing the magneto electric converter has an annular shape in which two tip surfaces face each other via a gap around the predetermined direction. The magneto electric converter is opposed to the hollow portion, arranged in the opposing portion having an annular shape, in the intersecting direction via the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuaki Sugito, Takeshi Tsukamoto, Takuma Esaka, Ryosuke Sakai, Akito Sasaki, Hatsuomi Isogai, Hiroaki Miwa, Hiroshi Nomura, Takashi Ishikawa, Katsunori Michiyama
  • Patent number: 11362517
    Abstract: Determining direct current (DC) leakage current flowing through an insulating structure in a high voltage DC power system wherein the DC leakage current is a composite DC current having one or more high magnitude momentary spikes, and having a DC component and an alternating current (AC) component, wherein the AC component has a first rate of change, and wherein the DC component has a second rate of change less than the first, having (a) providing a waveform separator which is configured to receive the composite DC current flowing through the insulating structure and to separate the composite DC current into the corresponding DC component and AC component, and (i) receive at least one corresponding digital signal and the DC component, ii) analyze the at least one corresponding digital signal and the DC component, (iii) determine a resultant leakage current flowing through the insulating structure, (b) electrically connecting the waveform separator to the insulating structure, (c) separating, in the waveform s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Quanta Associates, L.P.
    Inventors: Zoran Bilic, David James Ball
  • Patent number: 11360122
    Abstract: Provided is a current sensor for reducing heat generation caused by energization. The current sensor is provided, including: primary terminals; a first magnetic sensor; a primary conductor; and a signal processing IC; wherein the primary conductor has a bend section including: a first region that surrounds at least a part of the first magnetic sensor in planar view and at least a part of which does not face the signal processing IC; and a second region that faces the signal processing IC; wherein the height of the first region is lower than that of the primary terminal, the height of the second region is lower than that of the first region, and the first magnetic sensor is connected to the signal processing IC through conductive wires, on the opposite side from the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Suzuki, Kenji Kai
  • Patent number: 11346809
    Abstract: A method of magnetostrictive (MS) guided wave testing of a ferromagnetic structure. One or more MS transmitters, each configured as a patch of ferromagnetic material, are acoustically coupled to the structure. Each MS transmitter is magnetized to produce a bias magnetic field in the patch. One or more MS receivers are acoustically coupled to the structure in a location remote from the MS transmitter(s). An alternating current (AC) is applied to the structure, thereby producing time-varying magnetic fields and MS vibrations in the MS transmitter(s) resulting in guided waves in the structure. MS response signals are received at the MS receiver(s), indicating whether the structure has any anomalies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Sergey A. Vinogradov, Jonathan Bartlett, Clinton Thwing
  • Patent number: 11346811
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a discontinuity in the wall of a ferrous object is disclosed, which utilize a bank of sensors where each sensor is configured to detect a difference in magnetic flux across a predefined area. Sets of readings from the sensors are converted to images, from which the existence and location of a discontinuity can be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: UNITED STATES PIPE AND FOUNDRY COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth J Watts
  • Patent number: 11346973
    Abstract: Naturally-occurring, electromagnetic signals generated by interaction of solar wind with earth's magnetosphere adjacent a borehole are measured by an electromagnetic sensor positioned adjacent the borehole in the hydrocarbon-bearing formation. Electromagnetic signals generated within the borehole are measured over a period of time by a borehole sensor positioned within the borehole. The electromagnetic signals change over the period of time due to variations in fluid distributions within the hydrocarbon-bearing formation. Electromagnetic changes to the electromagnetic signals generated within the borehole and to the passive, naturally-occurring electromagnetic signals over the period of time are determined by one or more processors. A computational model of the hydrocarbon-bearing formation is generated based in part on the electromagnetic changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Daniele Colombo, Gary W. McNeice, Brett W. Bouldin
  • Patent number: 11340316
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor is provided with first and second magnetoresistive effect elements that can detect an external magnetic field. The first and second magnetoresistive effect elements are a plurality of layers of multilayer body including free layers where their magnetization directions vary due to the external magnetic field. Shapes of the first and second magnetoresistive effect elements viewed from the upper side in the lamination direction are different from each other. The first magnetoresistive effect element has a shape that can increase a slope of an output of the first magnetoresistive effect element relative to the change of the external magnetic field. The second magnetoresistive effect element has a shape that can decrease a slope of an output of the second magnetoresistive effect element relative to the change of the external magnetic field compared to the slope of the output of the first magnetoresistive effect element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Kunihiro Ueda, Yoshiyuki Mizoguchi, Hiroshi Yamazaki, Suguru Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11333719
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second Hall-effect sensors. Each sensor has first and third opposite terminals and second and fourth opposite terminals. A control circuit is configured to direct a current through the first and second sensors and to measure a corresponding Hall voltage of the first and second sensors. Directing includes applying a first source voltage in a first direction between the first and third terminals of the first sensor and applying a second source voltage in a second direction between the first and third terminals of the second sensor. A third source voltage is applied in a third direction between the second and fourth terminals of the first sensor, and a fourth source voltage is applied in a fourth direction between the second and fourth terminals of the second sensor. The third direction is rotated clockwise from the first direction and the fourth direction rotated counter-clockwise from the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Keith Ryan Green, Dimitar Trifonov, Tony Ray Larson
  • Patent number: 11320480
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide a system and a method for testing one or more devices under test (DUTs) and for checking one or more test setups. Each of the one or more test setups includes a test board having several sockets for receipt of a DUT. A custom hardware interface is used to electrically connect the test board, such as a burn-in board with a test system configuration having multiple modules that can be configured using a computer device and related software to provide customized testing of the DUTs. The system is scalable to accommodate any DUT having any number of channels and to provide customized testing. Results of the testing are sent to the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Inventor: Albert Gaoiran
  • Patent number: 11320400
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for observing a magnetic field of a material volume, in particular for determining properties of a workpiece under, in particular, magnetic, mechanical, thermal, and/or electrical excitation of a material volume of the workpiece, wherein the magnetic field of the material volume is sensed as a function of time and of frequency with high frequency resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: QASS GMBH
    Inventor: Ulrich Seuthe
  • Patent number: 11313917
    Abstract: An electric current sensor for detecting a leakage current from an electric vehicle charger. The current sensor includes a magnetic core having a gap formed therein, a first conductor wound around the magnetic core to form a first coil, a second conductor wound around the magnetic core to form a second coil, and a tunnel-magnetoresistance (TMR) sensor element arranged in the gap of the magnetic core. A difference between electric current flow in the first and second conductors produces a magnetic field in the gap of the magnetic core proportional to a leakage current, and the magnetic field produces a voltage in the TMR sensor element indicative of a value of the leakage current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven Cong, David A Hein, Ajmal Imran Ansari, Anthony Armento, Arthur Hurlburt, Ryan Cleveland, Matthew Zamieski
  • Patent number: 11309669
    Abstract: Lug assemblies include a housing with at least one internal printed circuit board with electronics and lugs. The lugs attach to cables providing power/current. The printed circuit board includes at least one electrical ground connector and at least one electrical contact connector. The lug assemblies include terminals that indirectly electrically couple the cables to terminals of switching devices such as circuit breakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Michael Jerome Whipple, David Wayne Stiffler
  • Patent number: 11300593
    Abstract: A semiconductor component 150 has a semiconductor layer 1 including a winding wire part 10 and a winding return wire part 50 connected at a terminal end part of the winding wire part 10 and returning from the terminal end part toward a starting end part side, wherein the semiconductor component is disposed so as to surround an object to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: SHINDENGEN ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Suzuki, Kazuyuki Sashida, Mizue Yamaji, Kenichi Yoshida, Shinji Kunori
  • Patent number: 11300544
    Abstract: Provided is a disclosure for a magnetic particle inspection system configured to generate a magnetic field for inspection of a part, comprising a programmable logic controller (PLC), a current source, and a current sensing device. The PLC may be configured to communicate an amperage signal, for amperage of an output current, to a current source, and communicate a first signal to the current source to output the output current. The current source may be configured to adjust the amperage for the output current based on the amperage signal, and output the output current upon receiving the first signal. The current sensing device may be configured to measure an output amperage of the output current, and communicate amperage information based on the output amperage to a signal conversion device. The PLC may, in response to feedback from the signal conversion device, update the amperage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Justin J. Stewart
  • Patent number: 11293952
    Abstract: A passive current sensor includes a pair of electrically conductive busbars, a shunt resistor electrically connecting the busbars, and a support having a first pair of voltage drop measuring contacts. At least one of the voltage drop measuring contacts is attached to each of the busbars and forms a direct electrical contact between the at least one voltage drop measuring contact and the busbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Christoph Mueller, Sven Faas, Jens Gruendler, Walter Weinerth, Thimo Paulus, Claudio Negretti, Christoph Kraemer
  • Patent number: 11287451
    Abstract: A current sensor sending an output to the outside through a connector does not affect the precision of the sensor even when an external connector is inserted or removed. The current sensor has a bus bar and a case housing part of the bus bar. The case has an open upper surface and a lid covering the upper surface. A circuit board is fixed to the case body with three caulking portions. The circuit board includes a fixed area enclosed by these caulking portions and an extended portion extending from two of these caulking portions. The lid is provided with two lid-side stoppers. Inside the case body, case-body-side stoppers are provided at three positions. When an external connector is connected to or removed from the connector, the warp of the extended portion is suppressed by the case-body-side stoppers and lid-side stoppers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Manabu Tamura, Naoki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11287450
    Abstract: A current sensor that can be downsized without lowering measurement precision has bus bars, magnetic sensors, each of which measures an induced magnetic field generated from one bus bar, a circuit board on which the magnetic sensors are mounted, a case that fixes the bus bars and circuit board, a lid that closes the case, and in-side magnetic shields provided in the lid. The in-side magnetic shield has cutouts along its circumferential edges. Hole are formed in the lid. From each hole, the outer edges of the cutout of the in-side magnetic shield are exposed. Therefore, when the lid is formed, the distance between adjacent in-side magnetic shields can be shortened when the in-side magnetic shield is positioned by pressing portions in a mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Manabu Tamura, Naoki Yamamoto