Patents Examined by Jagdeep Dhillon
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Patent number: 8749100Abstract: In some embodiments, a method is disclosed that includes measuring a waveform of a power source side voltage of a circuit breaker; measuring a waveform of a transmission line side voltage of the circuit breaker; calculating a waveform of a voltage between contacts of the circuit breaker that is a difference between the waveform of the power source side voltage and the waveform of the transmission line side voltage; calculating a waveform of an absolute value of the waveform of the voltage between contacts; extracting a waveform of a component in a frequency band which is lower than a frequency of the power source and higher than a frequency of a DC component from the waveform of the absolute value; detecting a cycle of the extracted waveform; and closing the circuit breaker based on the cycle.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2011Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Tadashi Koshizuka, Minoru Saito, Hiroyuki Maehara, Yoshimasa Sato
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Patent number: 8742628Abstract: A solid state circuit breaker includes a first terminal; a second terminal; a first wide-band gap field effect transistor coupled to the first terminal; a second wide-band gap field effect transistor coupled to the second terminal, wherein the first wide-band gap field effect transistor and the second wide-band gap field effect transistor are common-source connected to one another; and a bi-directional snubber device coupled to the first wide-band gap field effect transistor and the second wide-band gap field effect transistor. Such a solid state circuit breaker may also include a gate drive circuit coupled to the first wide-band gap field effect transistor and the second wide-band gap field effect transistor, where the gate drive circuit may comprise a voltage regulation stage and a drive stage.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2010Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventor: Damian P. Urciuoli
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Patent number: 8736102Abstract: The multifunctional power converter apparatus and method includes an input power stage configured to receive a DC input voltage from a DC power source and convert the DC input voltage to an AC or DC output voltage. At least one electrical power conversion electronic circuit is connected to an output of the input power stage, a DC output circuit; an AC output circuit; and a controller configured to control the input power stage, the DC output circuit and the AC output circuit. The controller is configured to automatically control the power converter output voltage based on a preselected user input.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2010Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Lijun Gao, Shengyi Liu, Kamiar J. Karimi
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Patent number: 8736113Abstract: A method and system for limiting energy to a sensor and/or an environment in which the sensor is located. A high current sensor driver is powered through a resistance-capacitance (RC) circuit. In a failure mode, the RC circuit constrains output of a sensor driver to the sensor in order to limit average current applied to the sensor. In one embodiment, the capacitor is chosen so that it can provide adequate current to the sensor driver for a short period of time. The value of the resistor may be chosen to ensure that under short circuit conditions direct current (DC) is limited to a safe value. The combined values of the resistor and capacitor may be adjusted such that the capacitor can charge to a prescribed level during the interval between active pulses.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2011Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Parker Hannifin CorporationInventors: Howard Austerlitz, Ron Bueter, John O'Brien
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Patent number: 8736107Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of power source redundancy in a power supply for a rack mounted computing device. The power supply includes a plurality of AC power converters configured to receive power from corresponding power sources. A first AC power converter provides DC power to a common DC bus of the power supply. A second AC power converter provides DC power to the common DC bus in response to a change in the voltage level provided by the first AC power converter.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2010Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Darin Lee Frink, Peter G. Ross
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Patent number: 8729741Abstract: An automatic breaker apparatus for the USB power supply, comprising a manual switch module, a relay, a high frequency transformer, a PWM power source master control module, a drive module, a signal filter module, an MCU master control module, a lighting instruction module and at least one USB power output end. When a user presses down the manual switch module, the relay becomes conductive, thus causing the electronic apparatus connected to the USB power source input end to be charged, and determining through the MCU master control module whether the electronic apparatus is using the electric current based on the pulsed filter signal outputted by the signal filter module thereby driving the relay to disconnect and also starting the lighting instruction module to generate light.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2011Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Inventor: Li-Chun Lai
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Patent number: 8729739Abstract: A circuit breaker comprising first and second JFETs, each comprising a gate, drain and source connection, the JFETs sources being operatively connected to each other to form a common-source connection and adapted to be connected to and operating to open an external circuit when the current flowing through the JFETs exceeds a predetermined threshold, the JFETs' gates, and common-source connection being operatively connected to a gate driver circuit which causes the JFETs to turn off when the predetermined threshold is exceeded; whereupon the current flows through the common-source connection into the second gate and into the gate driver circuit which causes the gate driver circuit to turn off the first and second JFETs and open the circuit breaker. Also claimed is a method of sensing an overloaded circuit comprising leading and trailing JFETs in a circuit that open the circuit and prevent current flow when a predetermined threshold is exceeded.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2011Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Vadim Lubomirsky, Damian Urciuoli
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Patent number: 8723372Abstract: A method of inducing a high efficiency conductive state at room temperature within a conductive mass (1) by injecting a complex modulated carrier signal (7) into one or more injection points (2,3) whereby the carrier signal and the subharmonic modulation frequencies (4,5,6) which are imbedded in the modulation of the carrier signal are tuned to the mass lattice qualities of the material. The amplitude and phase relationship of each individual subharmonic frequencies (4,5,6) are respectively tuned to the mass lattice qualities of the conductive mass (1). This method of excitation, with precise matching of subharmonic modulation frequencies, and with a precise matching concordant harmonic of the carrier frequency, creates an observed ionic excitation throughout the conductive mass (1) at room temperature.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2011Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Inventor: Larry A. Park
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Patent number: 8723367Abstract: In a power supply system, reducing influence of a noise etc., optimal electric power is supplied corresponding to power consumption of a receiving side load, and power consumption is decreased greatly. When a potential difference detector 12 detects that a power supply voltage of the receiving side load is decreased lower than a lower limit voltage threshold or increased higher than an upper limit voltage threshold, a burst interval setting unit sets up a burst signal of a pulse width corresponding to the detection result. A burst signal generator generates a burst signal based on the setup, and excites a control primary inductor. A burst signal detector generates a pulse signal in response to electromotive force of a control secondary inductor.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2011Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Renesas Electronics CorporationInventor: Atsuhiko Ishibashi
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Patent number: 8716885Abstract: A switching assembly includes a first terminal and a second terminal, a first switch connected to the first terminal, and a second switch connected to the second terminal. The switching assembly further includes a rectifier bridge connected between the first switch and the second switch, and a third switch connected between the first terminal and the second terminal. The switching assembly also includes a control unit that selectively opens and closes the first switch, the second switch and the third switch, and selectively turns on and off the rectifier bridge.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2011Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.Inventors: Hans-Erik Pfitzer, Adil Oudrhiri
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Patent number: 8716893Abstract: A VSC converter includes in each valve one first semiconductor device of turn-off type with a voltage blocking capacity rating of a first, high level and connected in parallel therewith a series connection of a plurality of second semiconductor devices of turn-off type with a voltage blocking capacity rating of a second, lower level. A control arrangement of the converter is configured to switch a said valve into a conducting state starting from a forward biased blocking state of the valve by controlling the second semiconductor devices to be turned on and then the first semiconductor devices to be turned on with a delay, and at the end of the conducting state to turn off the first semiconductor device in advance of turning the second semiconductor devices off.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2008Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: ABB Technology AGInventor: Gunnar Asplund
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Patent number: 8704407Abstract: Disclosed herein is a wireless power supplying rack, including: a power transmission device adapted to transmit power to be supplied; a repeater device adapted to repeat the transmission power of the power transmission device; a power reception device adapted to receive the power repeated by the repeater device; and a main body in which a load to which the power received at least by the power reception device from between the power reception device and the repeater device is supplied is disposed; at least the repeater device and the power reception device from among the power transmission device, repeater device and power reception device being incorporated in the main body; wherein the power transmission device, the repeater device and the reception device have a first resonance element, a second resonance element and a third resonance element, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2011Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Osamu Kozakai
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Patent number: 8704408Abstract: A method that includes identifying a desired signal connectivity through a switch matrix, where the switch matrix includes a plurality of switching elements, and where the switching elements are selectively operable in a plurality of states to provide a plurality of signal paths for routing signals through the switch matrix. The method also includes identifying a sorting network model that corresponds to a topology of the switch matrix, applying a sorting algorithm to the sorting network model, and determining, based on the results of applying the sorting algorithm, operational states of the plurality of switching elements to provide signal paths corresponding to the desired signal connectivity.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2011Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: National Instruments CorporationInventors: Alvin G. Becker, James A. Reimund, Naji S. Norder, James E. Nicholson, Kyle R. Bryson
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Patent number: 8686596Abstract: A fuse box system and method providing for visual and/or remote sensing of interrupted fusing elements is disclosed. The system incorporates LEDs and/or remote sensing apparatus to permit indication of a “blown” fuse and/or circuit protection breaker. This system may be configured for both polarized and/or non-polarized applications and generally provides for indicator illumination when a fuse/breaker is blown. Some preferred embodiments may incorporate current sourcing technologies to permit operation of the system over wide range of system voltages, as well as provisions for wired and/or RF/wireless interrogation of the fuse/breaker status. Alternate embodiments including systems/methods to permit remote sensing of fuse status and/or circuit current monitoring, and may be retrofit within existing fuse/breaker panel systems in some configurations.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Inventors: Roy Allen Huss, Jerry Anthony Dufour, Kevin Mark Klughart
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Patent number: 8680708Abstract: In response to turning-on of a lock-type power switch, an initial controller outputs a first voltage for a first period and a gate is turned on for the period via a first driver responsive to the first voltage, then DC power is supplied to a main circuit. During the period, a control processor causes a voltage output section to start outputting a second voltage so that the gate is turned on via a second driver to continue the DC power supply. When no event has been generated for a second period, the second voltage from the voltage output section is stopped to turn off the gate, thus the power supply to the main circuit is shut off. Once a power from outside is switched from OFF to ON while the power switch kept ON, the power supply to the main circuit is resumed via the controller and first driver.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventor: Tamotsu Shirai
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Patent number: 8680710Abstract: Supply voltage sequencing circuitry includes a first sequencer (10-1) that produces an active level of a Power Good signal PG if a first supply voltage VOUT1 exceeds an upper threshold V90% while a control signal EN_PG is active, and produces an inactive level of PG if EN_PG is inactive. The PG level is latched when a control signal EN is inactive. A Power Down signal PD is produced if VOUT1 is less than a lower threshold V10% while EN is inactive. An active level of PD is produced when EN is active. A power-up sequence of supply voltages VOUT1, VOUT2, and VOUT3 monitored by the first sequencer and similar second (10-2) and third (10-3) sequencers, respectively, is determined by connection of PG of each of the first and second sequencers to control the supply voltage monitored by the next sequencer.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2010Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventor: Masashi Nogawa
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Patent number: 8664807Abstract: A system and method for distributing the power of an electromagnetic signal is presented. In one embodiment, a power distribution cavity includes, a planar cavity, input ports and output ports. The planar cavity is formed with a metallic sheet in the shape of a star pattern with a plurality of elongated star arms extending from a round center portion of the metallic sheet. The input ports are attached to the round center portion of the metallic sheet for receiving an input signal. The signals entering the cavity from the input ports creating independent resonant modes within the cavity that combine producing a tapered aperture distribution of signals at the output ports. The output ports are attached near to the outward ends of the elongated star arms. The planar cavity is thus configured to propagate electromagnetic fields at the output ports that were excited within the cavity by the input ports.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2011Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.Inventors: Roland A. Gilbert, Michael D. Blazej
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Patent number: 8653693Abstract: An integrated exciter-igniter architecture is disclosed that integrates compact, direct-mounted exciter electronics with an aerospace designed igniter to reduce overall ignition system complexity. The integrated exciter-igniter unit hermetically seals exciter electronics within a stainless steel enclosure or housing. The stainless enclosure enables the exciter electronics to remain near atmospheric pressure while the unit is exposed to vacuum conditions. The exciter electronics include a DC-DC converter, timing circuitry, custom-designed PCBs, a custom-designed main power transformer, and a high voltage ignition coil. All of which are packaged together in the stainless steel enclosure. The integrated exciter-igniter unit allows for efficient energy delivery to the spark gap and eliminates the need for a high voltage cable to distribute the high voltage, high energy pulses.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Alphaport, Inc.Inventors: Michael Vincent Aulisio, Greg Scott Tollis, Elmer L. Griebeler, Neil D. Rowe
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Patent number: 8598742Abstract: A server and method detects a power transformer. The server reads power transformer data from a data converter and determines if work state of a power transformer needs to be changed from based on the power transformer data. An alert message is generated by the server and sent to an alarm computer in response to a determination that the work state of the power transformer needs to be changed. The server saves the power transformer data into a database system.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2010Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignees: GDS Software (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chi-Chih Wang, Bing-Yu He, Zhong-Gen Zhan, Wei Xiong