Patents Examined by Huy Q. Phan
  • Patent number: 11581849
    Abstract: A measurement method of subcell photocurrents and a matching degree of the subcell photocurrents of a multi-junction photovoltaic cell is provided. The measurement method includes measuring an I-V characteristic of the multi-junction photovoltaic cell; and measuring currents corresponding to respective current steps in an I-V curve to obtain approximate values of short-circuit currents of subcells in the multi-junction photovoltaic cell, and then calculating a mismatching degree of the multi-junction photovoltaic cell using step currents. According to the measurement method, a current mismatching degree of the multi-junction photovoltaic cell is obtained by calculating the mismatching degree of the step currents occurring in the I-V curve. The measurement method is rapid and simple, the measurement method avoids complicated and time-consuming processes where the subcell photocurrents are calculated based on a standard light source spectrum integral with bias lights applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: SUZHOU INSTITUTE OF NANO-TECH AND NANO-BIONICS (SINANO), CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventors: Ancheng Wang, Jianrong Dong, Yurun Sun, Shuzhen Yu, Jiajing Yin
  • Patent number: 11579197
    Abstract: A system for magnetic field testing comprising a magnetic field generation device configured to generate a magnetic field in a rotor, a plurality of magnetic field measurement devices configured to measure a magnetic field at a predetermined position on the rotor, a drive mechanism configured to rotate the rotor and a test system configured to record the plurality of magnetic field measurements as a function of an angular position of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Brandon & Clark, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott W. Clark
  • Patent number: 11561079
    Abstract: Magnetic sensor assembly 1 has first member 10 having first to third magnetic sensors 13A to 13C, and second member 20 having first to third magnets 22A to 22C. Second member 20 can be moved in X and Y directions and can be rotated about a Z axis relative to first member 10. Output of first to third magnetic sensors 13A to 13C monotonously changes. A change of the output of first magnetic sensor and a change of the output of second magnetic sensor are different from each other. First to third magnets are positioned on first to third straight lines L1 to L3. A first angle that is formed between first straight line L1 and X axis, a second angle that is formed between second straight line L2 and X axis, and a third angle that is formed between third straight line L3 and Y axis are same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaro Harada, Tsuyoshi Umehara
  • Patent number: 11563282
    Abstract: The invention relates to a housing comprising a terminal block intended to receive at least one end of a multi-strand cable and therefore comprising at least one recess (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) for receiving the end of the cable, the recess being provided with a wall (8) in which an opening (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) is arranged and through which the end of the cable extends during use, and a flank (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) arranged opposite the wall with the opening, at least one surface of the flank facing the inside of the recess being rough in order to limit the risk of at least one strand detached from the end of the cable sliding through a space between the flank and the rest of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: SAGEMCOM ENERGY & TELECOM SAS
    Inventor: Patrick Rolland
  • Patent number: 11561117
    Abstract: An absolute encoder includes a first drive gear (worm gear 1d) configured to rotate in accordance with rotation of a main spindle, and a first driven gear (worm wheel 2a) that engages with the first drive gear. The absolute encoder includes a second drive gear (worm gear 2b) provided coaxially with the first driven gear and configured to rotate in accordance with rotation of the first driven gear, and a second driven gear provided, in a plan view, on a side opposite the first drive gear with respect to the first driven gear and the second drive gear, the second driven gear engaging with the second drive gear. The absolute encoder includes an angular sensor configured to detect a rotation angle of a rotating body that is rotated in accordance with rotation of the second driven gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: MINEBEA MITSUMI Inc.
    Inventor: Yasuo Osada
  • Patent number: 11549823
    Abstract: Disclosed is a compact 3-axis coil design for a magnetic tracking system. In an embodiment, compactness is achieved by using a 3-axis coil in the transmitter that includes a scaffold design with a side surface having a curved groove for guiding one or more windings of a z-axis coil, such that the physical geometry is not increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Guangwu Duan, Jian Guo, John Greer Elias, Savas Gider
  • Patent number: 11536745
    Abstract: A method for detecting electric meter installation issues includes: determining an initial orientation of an electric meter based on initial acceleration measurements from an accelerometer positioned in the electric meter. Subsequent acceleration measurements from the accelerometer may be continuously monitoring, and a subsequent orientation of the electric meter may be determined based on the subsequent acceleration measurements. A difference between the initial orientation and the subsequent orientation based on the initial acceleration measurements and the subsequent acceleration measurements may be determined and compared to a threshold value. Based on the difference exceeding the threshold value, a notification of a change in orientation of the electric meter may be generated to a head-end system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: LANDIS+GYR INNOVATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: David Schamber, David Stenberg
  • Patent number: 11531079
    Abstract: A power generation allocation and measurement device has an inverter assignment matrix fed by one or more inverter load controllers, the controllers connected to respective inverters. The device includes multiple unit controllers associated with respective metered distribution panels of a multi-unit or multi-panel power installation. A group controller is in communication with each unit controller and the inverter assignment matrix. The device is fed by a power generator such as a photovoltaic panel. The device allocates power to the metered distribution panels via the group controller, based on feedback from the discrete unit controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: POWERTREE SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Stacey Reineccius, John C. Sellers
  • Patent number: 11525705
    Abstract: In one aspect, an integrated circuit (IC) includes a magnetic-field sensor. The magnetic field sensor includes a first and second magnetoresistance circuitries configured to receive a magnetic field signal from a target and convert the magnetic field signal received to a first signal and second signal; analog circuitry configured to receive the first and second signals; digital circuitry configured to receive a first and second analog output signals from analog circuitry and to convert the first and second analog output signals to a first and second digital signals representing a first and second channel output signals; and diagnostic circuitry configured to receive, from the digital circuitry, an input signal related to a separation of the first and second channel output signals, and configured to provide a test signal at a pin of the IC indicating whether a distance between the IC and the target complies with at least one rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin Maffei
  • Patent number: 11524719
    Abstract: Disclosed is a steering wheel sensor unit, wherein the steering wheel is mounted on a shaft, which is journaled in a housing. The unit includes a ring magnet attached to the shaft within a shaft housing for rotation with the shaft, and sensing elements being arranged radially outside the shaft housing in an encapsulated compartment sensing rotation of the magnet and the shaft through the shaft housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: ALLIED MOTION STOCKHOLM AB
    Inventor: Erik Olsen
  • Patent number: 11525706
    Abstract: A rotational position sensor arrangement having first and second sensors positioned adjacent to first and second axial faces or a first axial face and a radial face of a target disc. The target disc has first and second wave profiles on the first axial face and the second axial or radial face, having respectively, first and second pluralities of segments, with each segment being formed with axially offset peaks and valleys which extend along radial lines/planes. The valleys separate the segments, and the number of the first plurality of segments is different than that of the second plurality of segments. The first and second sensors signal a controller with data on a field variance due to a difference in at least one of a size or location of the first and second wave profiles as they pass the first and second sensors to determine a rotational speed and/or position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Edward J. Wey
  • Patent number: 11519756
    Abstract: A rotation detection device includes: a detector arranged with a gap to a rotating body in which rotation position information is periodically provided at regular intervals, and detecting a magnetic change as a rotation position of the rotating body; and a signal processor acquiring the rotation position information. The detector has first and second magnetic elements arranged with an interval of a/2 in a rotation direction. Each regular interval is defined as a. The first magnetic element outputs a first signal having a period corresponding to the regular intervals. The second magnetic element outputs a second signal having an opposite phase to the first signal and the period. The signal processor acquires a differential signal between the first and second signals as the rotation position information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi Kobayashi, Michihiro Makita, Yusuke Kariya
  • Patent number: 11513144
    Abstract: A protection system described herein includes a first connector, a second connector, and a voltage-limiter device. The first connector is configured to connect to a first load-side terminal of an electric meter, and the second connector is configured to connect to a second load-side terminal of the electric meter. In a circuit between the first connector and the second connector, the voltage-limiter device is configured to clamp a voltage between the first and second load-side terminals at a trigger voltage, to prevent a greater voltage from reaching the electric meter when a service-disconnect switch of the electric meter is open and an external voltage greater than the trigger voltage is applied to a load side of the electric meter. The voltage-limiter device provides a conductive path in parallel with a customer premises associated with the electric meter when the voltage between first and second connectors reaches the trigger voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: LANDIS+GYR INNOVATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas Eduardo Becker Prostt, Geraldo Kosel, Joäo Melo, Lucas Weber
  • Patent number: 11513171
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor device includes a switching region defined by a switching range and a variation range, the switching range being set in a stroke direction of a magnet generating a radial magnetic field and defined by a start position and an end position for switching of the state, and the variation range being set in a direction intersecting the stroke direction and being a range of variation in the position of the magnet, and a magnetic sensor including plural first divided elements that are formed by dividing a first circular magneto-resistive element and are consecutively rotated and rearranged around the switching region such that change in a magnetoresistance value due to the magnetic field of the magnet in the switching region increases from the start position to the end position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventor: Naoki Isobe
  • Patent number: 11506514
    Abstract: The magnetic sensor of the invention has an element portion that is elongate, that exhibits magnetoresistive effect and that has a magnetically sensitive axis in a direction of a short axis thereof. The element portion is non-oval and can be arranged in an imaginary ellipse, wherein the imaginary ellipse has a major axis that connects both ends of the element portion with regard to a direction of a long axis thereof to each other and a minor axis that connects both ends of the element portion with regard to a direction of the short axis thereof to each other, as viewed in a direction that is perpendicular both to the short axis and to the long axis of the element portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Keisuke Uchida, Kazuya Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11506693
    Abstract: An electric meter socket includes a first connection path within the electric meter socket to form a first electrical connection between a distributed energy resource (DER) meter and line voltage wirings from an electric distribution system. The electric meter socket further includes a second connection path within the electric meter socket to form a second electrical connection between the DER meter and neutral wires of the electric distribution system, a DER device, and a load. Additionally, the electric meter socket includes a third connection path within the electric meter socket to form a third electrical connection between the DER meter and output voltage wirings of the DER device. Further, the electric meter socket includes a DER connector positioned on a side of the electric meter socket to receive the output voltage wirings of the DER device and to electrically couple the output voltage wirings to the third connection path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: LANDIS+GYR INNOVATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Matt Karlgaard, John Radgowski
  • Patent number: 11499936
    Abstract: A sensor includes: a hole; a sensing area formed around the hole, wherein at least one sensor is in the sensing area; and a crack detector configured to output a first crack signal if a comparison value obtained by comparing a detected value from the at least one sensor with a reference value exceeds an error range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Il Hun Jeong, Yeon Shil Jung, Hwan Woo Lee, Hae Goo Jung
  • Patent number: 11486936
    Abstract: A power supply on-off detection circuit includes: a signal acquisition circuit, a signal conversion circuit, and a signal processing circuit. The signal acquisition circuit is coupled to a power supply through a switch, and is configured to collect an alternating current signal output by the power supply, and to output the alternating current signal to the signal conversion circuit. The signal conversion circuit is configured to convert the alternating current signal into a voltage signal, and to output the voltage signal to the signal processing circuit. The signal processing circuit is coupled to the signal conversion circuit, and is configured to convert the voltage signal into a level signal. The level signal is used to determine whether the power supply is on or off by determining whether the switch is switched on or off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: He Zhang
  • Patent number: 11486734
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor system includes a magnetic field generator and a magnetic sensor. The magnetic sensor includes a plurality of MR elements. The plurality of MR elements are each configured so that a bias magnetic field in a second direction orthogonal to a first direction is applied to a free layer, and to change in resistance with a strength of a magnetic field component. A maximum strength of the magnetic field component applied to each of the MR elements is greater than or equal to 1.2 times the strength of a bias magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yongfu Cai, Hayato Miyashita, Tsuyoshi Umehara, Yuta Saito
  • Patent number: 11474132
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and apparatuses for detecting and reporting suspected tampering of an energy meter to a utility. The method and apparatus uses a plurality of sensors to obtain data relating to one or more input parameters based on the type of input signal. The input parameters are mapped with a tamper type to provide a classification of one or more output parameters. The output parameters are compared to one or more operating conditions of the energy meter to identify one or more suspected tampers. Any suspected tampers are reported to the utility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Nagaraja Sundaresh, Rajesh Mahapatra, Shalu Singhvi