Patents Examined by Jared J. Fureman
  • Patent number: 7923855
    Abstract: The disclosure describes communication of information between a network interface device and subscriber devices over a power line. A UPS unit receives operating power from subscriber premises via a first power line and delivers operating power to the network interface device via a second power line. The network interface device transmits and receives information, such as voice, video and data, to and from the UPS unit via the second power line. The UPS unit receives the information transmitted by the network interface device via the second power line, and transmits the received information to subscriber devices within the premises via the first power line. The UPS unit receives information transmitted by subscriber devices via the first power line, and transmits the received information to the network interface device via the second power line. The first and second power lines each serve as both a power line and a communication medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Calix, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark R. Biegert
  • Patent number: 7923861
    Abstract: A fuel cell vehicle has a motor driven by an inverter and hybrid DC power supplies including a battery and a fuel cell for supplying electric power to the motor. For preventing a fuse connected to the battery from being blown out, when a motor current Im increases, a first source current flowing from the battery is limited to a range for not blowing out the fuse, and a generated current is increased as much as the first source current is limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Kojima, Seigo Murashige, Yutaka Asano
  • Patent number: 7919887
    Abstract: In order to provide a pulse power supply device using regenerating magnetic energy stored in a discharge circuit to a capacitor so as to use it as next discharge energy and supplying a bipolar pulse current with high repetition, a bridge circuit is composed of four inverse-conductive semiconductor switches, a charged energy source capacitor is connected to a DC terminal of the bridge circuit, and an inductive load is connected to its AC terminal. A control signal is supplied to gates of the inverse-conductive semiconductor switches, and a control is made so that when a discharge current rises, is maintained, or is reduced, all the gates are turned off, and the magnetic energy of the electric current can be automatically regenerated to the energy source capacitor by a diode function of the switches. Further, a large current power supply is inserted into a discharge circuit so as to replenish energy loss due to discharge, thereby enabling high-repetition discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: MERSTech, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryuichi Shimada, Taku Takaku
  • Patent number: 7920366
    Abstract: An integrated circuit can include an I/O pad, an internal circuit, an inductor, an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit, and an ESD clamp. The internal circuit can be biased with a first voltage supply and a second voltage supply, where the internal circuit is connected to the I/O pad at a first node. The ESD protection circuit can be connected between the first node and a second node. The inductor can be connected between the second node and a third voltage supply. Further, the ESD clamp can be connected between the second node and the second voltage supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Chun-Ying Chen, Agnes Neves Woo
  • Patent number: 7919881
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for supplying external energy to electrical on-board power networks of ships, with there being at least one generator, one converter and electrical loads in the ship's on-board power network. In at least one embodiment of the method, the converter (shore connection converter) on board the ship, for transfer into the on-board power network, is fed by a connectable external current source with current of a different frequency and voltage to that of the on-board network and the current is converted in the converter semiconductors into current with the voltage, and the frequency of the on-board power network and fed to the on-board power network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rainer Hartig, Hannes Schulze Horn, Kay Tigges
  • Patent number: 7916443
    Abstract: An antistatic device with multiple discharging intervals is applied to electrical components for providing an optimized protection against ESD (Electrostatic Discharge). The antistatic device includes a trace, a discharging portion and multiple grounding portions. The trace allows electrostatic current to pass through. The discharging portion is coupled to the trace. The grounding portions are placed around the discharging portion. A discharge interval between each of the grounding portions and the discharging portion allows the electrostatic current to be discharged through any of the grounding portions. Each of the discharging intervals is equidistant to facilitate equal discharge probabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Getac Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Hung Jung Shih, Ta-Yuan Lin
  • Patent number: 7915759
    Abstract: A power source IC and noise absorption capacitors (decoupling capacitors) are formed on an inductor in such a manner that the noise absorption capacitors are provided on the input side and the output side, respectively. A micro-power source module can thus be provided which is small in occupied area and height and can reduce conduction noise due to ground lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Nishijima
  • Patent number: 7915764
    Abstract: Relay circuitry for a power-over-network device is provided. The relay circuitry allows power-supplying network devices to identify and subsequently to supply power across a network connection to the power-over-network device, thereby eliminating the need for external power sources. The relay circuitry is operative using only the signals transmitted along a data line across the network connection. The relay circuitry is integrated together with switching circuitry on-chip on the power-over-network device. The relay circuitry and switching circuitry are further designed to propagate both the test signals and the subsequent data signals prior to and after the turning on of the power-over-network device, respectively, with minimal signal degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Pierte Roo, Wyant Chan
  • Patent number: 7915752
    Abstract: The present invention provides a control circuit for enabling an aerial boom on an aerial lift truck having stabilizing members. The control circuit includes a selector switch to enable the auxiliary member and an interlock portion preventing the auxiliary member from being enabled if each of the stabilizing members is not in an operative position. The control circuit further includes an interlock over ride. The interlock over ride may be activated when the selector switch is attempting to enable the auxiliary member and remains activated until the selector switch disables the auxiliary member. Thus, the interlock over ride permits an operator to bypass the interlock during a single operation of the auxiliary member and prevents bypass from remaining active during subsequent operations of the auxiliary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Utility Truck Equipment & Parts, LLC
    Inventor: John Mlaker
  • Patent number: 7915762
    Abstract: A method for controlling a cluster of wind turbines connected to a utility grid includes the steps of determining the frequency of the utility grid, detecting a frequency deviation in the utility grid, and disconnecting the wind turbines at different predefined frequency values above the nominal frequency value. The invention also relates to a method for planning the strategy of a utility grid including a wind turbine cluster connected to the grid and a wind turbine cluster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Lars Helle, John Godsk Nielsen
  • Patent number: 7915763
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for generating a rectangular pulse with a transmission line, the pulse having a duration of twice the electrical length of the line and a voltage of up to twice the charge voltage. The system includes a voltage source, a switching means, and an output circuit. The voltage source is for providing a voltage potential to a first conductor of a transmission line. The switching means is for controllable coupling the first conductor of the transmission line to a second conductor of the transmission line at a first end of the transmission line, with the second conductor of the transmission line being coupled to a fixed voltage potential at a second end of the transmission line. The output circuit is coupled to the first conductor of the transmission line for providing an output pulse to a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Inventor: Timothy L. Cargol
  • Patent number: 7915760
    Abstract: An electric power conservation system to be used between an AC utility power source and a load circuit in a home or business. The electric power conservation system comprises an energy charger component, a DC rechargeable energy source, an inverter unit, a bypass isolation circuit, a monitor and control unit, coil contactors and contacts, and necessary circuitry for supplying a load circuit with the power it requires. The invention reduces consumption of electric power from public utility companies, thereby decreasing the load on the national electrical grid. Where utility companies offer lower off-peak rates to consumers of electrical power, it becomes exceedingly desirable to have such a system in place, to save consumers money. During normal operations wherein normal utility power is available, the load circuit derives part of its power from the AC utility power source, and the remaining power that it requires from the electric power conservation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Inventor: Bruce Jonathan Evans, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7915765
    Abstract: A module for controlling power supply to a load in a product which includes a microchip, and an electromechanical switch and a proximity/touch sensor connected to the microchip, preferably to the same input. The switch is primarily used to activate or deactivate the load and the proximity/touch sensor to vary the effect of operating the switch, or to control additional functions such as the activation of a signal, typically a light signal, which helps to locate the product, particularly in the dark, and to vary the duration of an automatic time-out period at the end of which the load is deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Azoteq (Pty) Ltd.
    Inventor: Frederick Johannes Bruwer
  • Patent number: 7915753
    Abstract: A battery is arranged outside a compartment. A service plug is arranged in the compartment. The service plug is a shutoff device that can shut off an output path of the battery by a manual operation. When a vehicle is hard hit at the front and a circuit of PCU is damaged, an excessive current may flow to the PCU, possibly generating heat or smoke from the PCU. When the vehicle goes wrong, a person on board the vehicle may pull out the service plug, whereby the power supply path from battery to PCU can be shut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Endo, Ryoji Mizutani, Eiji Yamada, Kazutaka Tatematsu, Yasuaki Tahara
  • Patent number: 7916441
    Abstract: A protection device for protecting an electronic circuit against a fault is described. The electronic circuit includes an output stage for driving a load and a driving circuit for driving the output stage. The driving circuit is configured to produce a drive signal in response to at least one input signal. The protection device includes a gating circuit and control means. The gating circuit has a first input configured to receive the drive signal, a second input configured to receive a control signal, and an output configured to activate and deactivate the output stage based on the drive signal and control signal. The control means produce the control signal in response to a detection signal representative of detection of the fault either of the load or of the output stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Fulvio Giacomo Bagarelli, Vincenzo Marano, Cristiana Scaramel
  • Patent number: 7911080
    Abstract: An automotive electrical system and a method for managing an automotive electrical system including a battery are provided. A state of charge of the battery is determined. An electrical system function is prevented from being performed based on the determined state of charge of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Karin L. Turski, Rod Niner
  • Patent number: 7911079
    Abstract: An electrical system architecture is disclosed. The architecture has a power source configured to generate a first power, and a first bus configured to receive the first power from the power source. The architecture also has a converter configured to receive the first power from the first bus and convert the first power to a second power, wherein a voltage of the second power is greater than a voltage of the first power, and a second bus configured to receive the second power from the converter. The architecture further has a power storage device configured to receive the second power from the second bus and deliver the second power to the second bus, a propulsion motor configured to receive the second power from the second bus, and an accessory motor configured to receive the second power from the second bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Brian Douglas Hoff, Sivaprasad Akasam
  • Patent number: 7909396
    Abstract: An automobile entertainment system includes a video system mounted within an automobile headrest. The headrest includes a headrest body and a first downwardly extending headrest extension arm having a passage therethrough. The video system includes a multi-wire cable extending therefrom and the multi-wire cable passes through the first extension arm, wherein the multi-wire cable includes a connection assembly at a distal end thereof. The connection assembly is coupled to distal ends of wires making up the multi-wire cable and the distal ends of the wires are staggered facilitating passage of the multi-wire cable through the headrest extension arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Audiovox Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher J. Vitito
  • Patent number: 7911088
    Abstract: An improved battery, monitoring circuit and method for communicating with the battery is provided. Such batteries and communication methods are particularly useful in UPS systems that use such batteries to provide back-up power to electrical loads. In one aspect, performance, manufacturing, trend and/or other data are stored in non-volatile memory of the battery and are communicated to an external system such as a UPS. In another aspect, a method for communicating via single-wire interface is provided. In one aspect, a same interface is used to communicate with both conventional batteries and improved batteries having increased monitoring capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Srdan Mutabdzija, Eyob Demissie, Francis J. Masciarelli, Michael Falcinelli
  • Patent number: 7911081
    Abstract: In embodiment, a power supply system is configured to use a linear regulator to form a regulated voltage during a standby mode and to use the regulated voltage to form another regulated voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Nicolas Cyr