Patents Examined by Hal I. Kaplan
  • Patent number: 7750510
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a substantially planar face, a switch and a switch actuation mechanism. The switch is configured such that successive actuations of the switch actuates the device between a first state and a second state. The switch actuation mechanism is configured to actuate the switch a first time in response to a first input along the face and a second time in response to a second input along the face. The second input has at least one characteristic, other than time at which it is performed, distinct from the first input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Dean Richtsmeier, Howard Hooper
  • Patent number: 7750501
    Abstract: A system and method for preventing over voltages in a power system coupled to an electric machine are disclosed. Briefly described, one embodiment is a method comprising detecting an operating voltage on a high voltage direct current (HVDC) bus, determining if at least one component of the power system is operational, communicating a signal to a power converter of the power system when the detected operating voltage is greater than a threshold voltage and when the component is not operational, and shorting together a plurality of terminals of the electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventor: Fengtai Huang
  • Patent number: 7745960
    Abstract: A power supply control signal generating circuit includes a connector, a switch, a transistor, and an input-output (I/O) controller. The connector includes a first pin and a grounded second pin. The switch has two terminals respectively coupled to the first pin and the second pin of the connector. The transistor has its base coupled to the first pin of the connector and a power supply via a first resistor, its collector coupled to the power supply via a second resistor, and its emitter grounded. The I/O controller has an input terminal coupled to the collector of the transistor, and outputs a power supply control signal at the output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ying Chen, Jin-Liang Xiong
  • Patent number: 7741736
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for sensing the voltage at multiple sense points. The present invention acquires optimal feedback from a plurality of sources including those integrated on the same motherboard, for populated or unpopulated connectors and for adapter cards plugged into the connectors, for the purpose of controlling the voltage regulator output. The voltage regulator, connected to a logic system, provides voltage to those connectors needing the voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond M. Clemo, Jimmy G. Foster, Sr., Suzanne M. Michelich, Sheldon J. Sigrist, Jacques B. Taylor
  • Patent number: 7732940
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing a neutral current using a load switching method in accordance with the present invention includes a phase current detection unit for detecting a phase current in each of a top stage power line and a bottom stage power line, a load switching unit for changing an arrangement of a load connected each phase of at least one among the top stage power line and the bottom stage power line and a control unit for controlling the load switching unit so as to compare a strength of the detected phase current of the top stage power line with a strength of the detected phase current of the bottom stage power line and to change the arrangement of the load connected to each phase of at least one among the top stage power line and the bottom stage power line according to the comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Sungkyunkwan University Foundation For Corporate Collaboration
    Inventors: Chul Hwan Kim, Keon Woo Park
  • Patent number: 7732943
    Abstract: A method for determining/dimensioning measures for restoring an electrical power system, which experiences or is heading for a voltage instability, to a steady-state condition, wherein there is no immediate risk of instability. An actual voltage/phase angle in the electrical power system is determined. The power unbalance within at least one sub-area in the electrical power system is determined. Suitable power-balancing measures are determined. The extent of the respective measures is determined. The power-balancing measures are carried out. Also, a device for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventors: Daniel Karlsson, Sture Lindahl
  • Patent number: 7728456
    Abstract: A vehicle auxiliary electric-power-supplying system can normally stop an electric power inverter by the frequency in use for an electric power supplier being suppressed as low as possible, and electric power being immediately started to be supplied from the power supplier to a controller in a case in which normal electric power has become unable to be obtained from power-outputting of the electric power inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Chiyo Kusubayashi
  • Patent number: 7728461
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved noise reducing apparatus using an anti-circuit, including a digital logic circuit and a digital anti-circuit corresponding to the digital logic circuit. The digital anti-circuit functions to cancel noise generated by the digital logic circuit. The anti-circuit includes logic to generate a similar number of switching edges as the logic circuit, where the anti-circuit edges are in the opposite direction as the logic circuit. The anti-circuit may have a circuit structure close to that of the noisy circuit, or can be formed of components different in structure but generating an output pattern similar to (and opposite from) the noisy circuit. In some embodiments, the differently structured components can include a state machine coupled to a memory or look-up-table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Beard
  • Patent number: 7723872
    Abstract: A method and a device for determining a switching time of an electric switching device. An electric switching device includes an interrupter link. A first line section and a second line section can be connected and disconnected by way of the interrupter link. In order to determine a switching time, the temporal progression of a driving voltage is determined in the first line section. In addition, a temporal course of an oscillator voltage appearing in the second line section is determined. Potential switching times are determined at the voltage zero crossings of a resulting voltage. The selection of the potential switching times ensues while evaluating the rises of the driving voltage and of the oscillator voltage or of the polarity of the oscillating current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Georg Pilz, Peter Schegner, Christian Wallner
  • Patent number: 7723868
    Abstract: An operating switch wiring device capable of easily setting a load which is a group control object, without using a dedicated setter, and a handle member used therefore. The operating switch wiring device used for a remote supervisory control system includes a plurality of individual switches which are individually assigned with addresses corresponding to addresses of relays and individually turn on/off the relays, a group switch which groups one or plural of the individual switches into a group and collectively turns on/off the relays corresponding to the individual switches in the group, and group setting switches which are provided in correspondence with the individual switches and set whether each of the individual switches are registered in the group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuichi Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 7719142
    Abstract: An interface comprises a switch supported in relation to a motor vehicle interior trim component. The switch is operable to actuate and de-actuate an electrically operated device of the motor vehicle. A sensory feedback component is operatively connected to the switch for producing a sensory feedback when the switch is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Hein, Robert M. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7719130
    Abstract: In a DC power transmission and distribution line, a power cable line for making it possible to easily supply power to various electric power machines used for operation of the line is provided. A power cable line includes a power cable (1g, 1r, 1p, 1m, 1n) for executing DC transmission and distribution, an AC superposing section 2 for superposing an AC component on the power cable, and a branch power supply section 3 for taking out power induced by the superposed AC component from the cable. The AC component is superposed on the power cable by the AC superposing section 2 and AC power together with DC power is transmitted to the power cable. The superposed AC component is taken out by the branch power supply section 3 provided in a midway point of the cable and is supplied to various electric power machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Hirose, Ryosuke Hata
  • Patent number: 7714461
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for reducing resonance in a multiple inverter system are provided. One apparatus includes an inverter coupled to a decoupling element, wherein the inverter and the decoupling elements are couplable to a power source. A system includes a motor vehicle power source including first positive and negative terminals, and a plurality of inverters coupled to the power source. Each inverter includes a second positive terminal coupled to the first positive terminal and a second negative terminal coupled to the first negative terminal. A first inverter of the plurality of inverters includes a decoupling element coupled between the first positive terminal and the positive terminal of the first inverter. One method includes operating first and second inverters at different frequencies, and controlling the impedance of a decoupling element coupled between a power source and the first inverter based on the second inverter frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian A. Welchko
  • Patent number: 7714463
    Abstract: A device for controlling a single-phase power conditioner for a renewable energy system is disclosed. The device comprises: a power system, providing alternating current (AC) utility power; a renewable energy system, using a natural resource so as to generate direct current (DC) power; a DC-to-DC converter, accepting the DC power generated by the renewable energy system so as to convert an input DC voltage of the DC power to an output DC voltage at a voltage level different from the DC input voltage; a grid-tied power conditioner, transforming voltage levels of the AC power and DC power; a controller, issuing a control signal for controlling the grid-tied power conditioner; and a load, consuming electricity by way of the grid-tied power conditioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Industrial technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Wei-Te Su, Pao-Chuan Lin, Yi-Shuo Huang, Yoshihiro Konishi
  • Patent number: 7709978
    Abstract: It is normal practice in automation to network individual components of an installation via bus lines, with this network carrying out a multiplicity of communication and supply tasks during operation. In at least one embodiment, a system interface, as well as an installation which uses this interface, are disclosed with the operational reliability of the installation being improved. In at least one embodiment, a system interface is proposed for connection of a bus line to an actuator assembly in a control system with a K connection for connection of a communication channel and with a K-U connection for connection of a communication voltage supply channel, and an A-U connection for connection of an actuator voltage supply channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Beyer, Josef Graf, Peter Hauselt
  • Patent number: 7709976
    Abstract: Novel system for supplying power from multiple power sources to a powered device has first and second input power supplies for respectively providing power from first and second power sources. An input selector circuit is responsive to the first and second input power supplies for producing an input power supply signal provided to a power regulator, such as a DC-DC converter, for generating a regulated output power supply signal. The power regulator includes a first transistor device controlled to support conversion of the input power supply signal into the output power supply signal if the input power supply signal is provided by the first input power supply, and a second transistor device controlled to support conversion of the input power supply signal into the output power supply signal if the input power supply signal is provided by the second input power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Linear Technology Corporation
    Inventor: John Phillip Bazinet
  • Patent number: 7701082
    Abstract: An apparatus for regulating voltage and aerospace electrical power systems are implemented. A multi-functional apparatus for regulating voltage, according to one embodiment, comprises: a DC to DC converter (315), wherein the DC to DC converter (315) is controlled to operate in a first direction to receive a DC voltage from a first bus (329) and to output a first regulated DC voltage adjusted to charge a battery (307), wherein the first bus (329) receives power from a second bus (201), and is controlled to operate in a second direction to receive a battery DC voltage from the battery (307) and to output a second regulated DC voltage to the first bus (329) to power a load (231) independently or in combination with the second bus (201).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: David Lazarovich, Srinivasa R. Dangeti, Ileana Rusan
  • Patent number: 7701090
    Abstract: An active filter that can remove harmonic noises other than the fundamental wave in a system having many unspecified harmonics and can contribute to the stable operation of the system, and improvement in the quality of power is provided. Using the following power equation (1) for a single-phase circuit as a basic expression, an active power effective value P and a reactive power effective value Q are obtained by integration operation with an active power instantaneous value and a reactive power instantaneous value, an instantaneous voltage estimation value is calculated, the system side fundamental wave current is obtained based on these values, and then the system side fundamental wave current is subtracted from the load current to obtain compensation current as the output of the active filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Kempei Seki
  • Patent number: 7701092
    Abstract: A connector module includes a jack socket capable of receiving a communication link. The connector module also includes magnetics coupled to the jack socket for supplying power to a peripheral device coupled to the link through the jack socket. The connector module further includes Power-over-Ethernet management logic for controlling the supplying of power to the peripheral device by providing a voltage to the magnetics. In addition, the connector module includes at least one voltage isolator for isolating the voltage used by the Power-over-Ethernet management logic from at least one digitally-referenced voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Avaya, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Parker, Nian Zhou
  • Patent number: 7696647
    Abstract: A coupling node for regulating the current flow between two or more drives is described. The coupling node may include an interconnect circuit in communication with the drives for selectively opening the connection between the drives. A sensor circuit in communication with the drives measures one or more electrical properties of the drives or between the drives. A sensor circuit actuates the interconnect circuit in response to the measured electrical property of the two or more drives meeting predetermined criteria. In operation, when an electrical property of the drives, such as the current flowing between the drives, meets a predetermined criteria, such as an short circuit or current overload, as indicated by the sensor circuit, the controller actuates the interconnect circuit to open the connection between the drives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Toshiba International Corp.
    Inventors: Mark D Rayner, Rajesh Gopinath, Rahul Khopkar