Patents Examined by Jared J. Fureman
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Patent number: 8000072Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for short circuit protection. The apparatus comprises two supply inputs for connecting the apparatus to a terminal of a power supply and two supply paths being connected together and to the supply inputs, wherein each supply path comprises a disconnection means for disconnecting the supply path. Further the apparatus comprises a determination means for determining a current flowing from one of the supply paths through the other one of the supply paths and a control means for controlling the disconnection means of the supply paths dependent on the current determined by the determination means, wherein the control means is connected with the disconnection means and the determination means.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2006Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignees: Siemens VDO Automotive AG, Scania CV ABInventors: Bernhard Bauer, Ola Dovnäs, Mauricio Hernandez-Distancia, Milan Krstev
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Patent number: 8000073Abstract: A current-mode under voltage lockout (UVLO) circuit provides an output signal that indicates to connected devices whether a connected power supply is sufficient (i.e., of sufficient strength and stability) based on a comparison of a current that is proportional to the power supply and a reference current. The current-based UVLO circuit employs a reference current generator that is capable of providing a stable reference current and a voltage-to-current converter that provides a current proportional to the power supply voltage. A comparator compares the reference current to the current proportional to the power supply voltage and determines based on the magnitudes of the two currents whether the power supply voltage is sufficient or ‘good’ and generates an output signal indicating the status of the power supply voltage.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2008Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Polar Semiconductor, Inc.Inventors: Robert John Schuelke, Gregory J. Rausch
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Patent number: 7999418Abstract: A power generation system comprises at least two electrical systems connected at an electrical connection point. Each electrical system comprises a power conversion system comprising a converter including a plurality of switches for converting direct current power into alternating current power. The power generation system comprises a control system including at least two pulse width modulation (PWM) modulators, each PWM modulator for obtaining a fundamental waveform and a carrier signal, using the fundamental and carrier signals to generate a PWM pattern, and for providing the PWM pattern to a respective converter for driving the switches of the respective converter. The control system is configured to interleave carrier signals, fundamental waveforms, or a combination of carrier signals and fundamental waveforms of the at least two electrical systems to generate interleaved PWM patterns respectively for the at least two converters.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2008Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Changyong Wang, Zhuohui Tan, Robert William Delmerico, Allen Michael Ritter, Ralph Teichmann, Richard S. Zhang, Robert Allen Seymour, Xiaoming Yuan
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Patent number: 7995312Abstract: Electric fault current limiter has superconducting elements inside a cryogenic vessel and bushings for connecting an external circuit. The electric fault current limiter (1) includes a cryogenic vessel (2) and superconducting assemblies (5) including high temperature type superconducting elements (HTSC) immersed in a liquid coolant (6) such as liquefied nitrogen. Bushings (25, 28) with conductors (17, 18) are associated with a main body (3) of the vessel (2) such that the conductors (17, 18) extend horizontally from a surrounding space into an ullage space (8) situated between a level (7) of the liquid coolant (6) inside the vessel (2) and a cover (4). The arrangement of the bushings (25, 28) according to the invention allows for removing the cover (4) without dismantling electrical connections between the current limiter (1) and a circuit to be protected as is necessary with prior art limiters.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2008Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: NexansInventors: Joachim Bock, Frank Breuer, Werner Kohler
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Patent number: 7994880Abstract: An energy transferring system including a source-side resonator, an intermediate resonant module, and a device-side resonator is provided. The three resonators substantially have the same resonant frequency for generating resonance. The energy on the source-side resonator is coupled to the intermediate resonant module, such that non-radiative energy transfer is performed between the source-side resonator and the intermediate resonant module. The energy coupled to the intermediate resonant module is further coupled to the device-side resonator, such that non-radiative energy transfer is performed between the intermediate resonant module and the device-side resonator to achieve energy transfer between the source-side resonator and the device-side resonator. The coupling coefficient between the intermediate resonant module and its two adjacent resonators is larger than the coupling coefficient between the source-side resonator and the device-side resonator.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2008Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Darfon Electronics Corp.Inventors: Chih-Jung Chen, Chih-Lung Lin, Zuei-Chown Jou
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Patent number: 7995321Abstract: An ionization device with increased rigidity of a coupling portion is provided. The ionization device includes a casing member for applying high voltage to each needle electrode; a coupling member for mechanically coupling a plurality of casing members in a longitudinal direction and electrically connecting high voltage plates of the respective casing members; and a elongated main body casing for housing a casing body constituted by coupling the plurality of casing members with the coupling member and the electrical circuit unit, the main body casing having the needle electrodes with a space from each other in the longitudinal direction and protruding outside. The main body casing integrally forms a space for arranging the casing body therein so as to be separated from a space for arranging the electrical circuit unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2007Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Keyence CorporationInventor: Tomonori Shimada
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Patent number: 7995317Abstract: A module hot swap circuit includes a low voltage-drop rectifier adapted to receive either positive or negative voltages of different absolute values. The rectifier is coupled to a power manager that provides dual startup/shutdown voltage thresholds and inrush current limiting. A detector prevents reverse current flow allowing the module to hold up during input voltage drop-outs.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2010Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Nortel Networks LimitedInventor: Charles E. Norman
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Patent number: 7990666Abstract: An electrostatic discharge protection circuit comprises a comparator coupled between a power supply terminal and ground. The comparator responds to an electrostatic discharge event producing a trigger signal at a comparator output. The comparator comprises a first and second current mirror. The first and second current mirrors each comprise a sense device and a mirror device. The mirror devices are coupled in series between the power supply terminal and ground. The first mirror device produces an incident current and the second mirror device receives an absorption current. With a supply voltage on the power supply terminal equal to or greater than a trigger supply voltage, the absorption current exceeds the incident current and produces a trigger signal at the comparator output. The trigger signal activates a shunt device that shunts current from the power supply terminal to ground.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2010Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Atmel CorporationInventors: Antoine Riviere, Frederic Demolli, David Bernard
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Patent number: 7989979Abstract: A control system for a pneumatically operated mast has a first control, a second control, and a positioning member. A first serial link communicates the first control with the second control. A second serial link communicates the second control with the positioning member. A relay system communicates with the first and second control and the positioning member. The relay system accommodates a 12 voltage or 24 voltage source.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2004Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: The Will-Burt CompanyInventors: Scott Alan Burgess, Jerry Albert Christensen, Michael Allen Bohurjak
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Patent number: 7989987Abstract: The features of this invention allow construction and operation of a variety of high voltage, high repetition rated pulse generators of the Marx type that are switched with photon initiated semiconductor switches of the closing type. The photon initiated semiconductor switches can be constructed with bulk materials or in layered devices such as thyristors. Variations on the invention permit the formation of shaped high voltage pulses; particularly those that are nearly rectangular: with controlled rise and fall times, minimal or no overshoot, and minimal voltage ripple.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2006Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Inventor: Kenneth Fox McDonald
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Patent number: 7990675Abstract: Methods and apparatus for utilizing a solid state relay arrangement as a part of a protection scheme for a telecom wireline card suitable are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a line card that is suitable for use in an optical network device includes an electrical port, a plurality of input lines, an output line, and protection circuitry. The protection circuitry switches or multiplexes the plurality of input lines into the output line, and includes a solid state relay arrangement and power isolation circuitry. The power isolation circuitry provides a high impedance to power rails associated with the solid state relay arrangement, and the solid state relay arrangement includes at least one N-channel field effect transistor (FET), at least one protection diode, and at least one charge pump.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2009Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Michael L. Robinson, Kwok Lee
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Patent number: 7990670Abstract: A protective circuitry (20) is connected between a power input port (11) and an electronic component (12) of an electronic device. The protective circuitry includes a field effect transistor (21) and a detection unit (25). The field effect transistor has a gate and a drain both electrically connected to an anode of the power input port, and a source electrically connected to a cathode of the power input port via the electronic component. The detection unit has two conductive pads spaced to each other. One pad is electrically connected to the gate and the other pad is electrically connected to the cathode of the power input port.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2008Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Chi Mei Communication Systems, Inc.Inventor: Chien-Chih Chen
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Patent number: 7990674Abstract: A load drive apparatus is provided which comprises a switching element 3 connected in series to a DC power source Vcc and an electric load 4, a drive circuit 5 for generating control signals to turn switching element 3 on and off, a thermal detection element 6 for sensing a temperature of switching element 3, an overheat protective circuit 7 for generating an overheat detection signal when thermal detection element 6 senses the temperature of switching element 3 over a predetermined temperature level, and a disconnection detection circuit 11 provided with a current mirror circuit 12 connected between one and the other terminals of thermal detection element 6 for detecting a disconnection in wiring between thermal detection element 6 and overheat protective circuit 7.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2007Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Sanken Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yuji Kato, Keiichi Sekiguchi, Kiyokatsu Satoh
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Patent number: 7989988Abstract: In a power phase period when in normal operation, switch portions SW2H and SW2L and switch portions SW3H and SW3L are turned ON, respectively, and switch portions SW1H and SW1L are turned OFF. And floating power supply is provided from an electrostatic capacitance element CS to buses A and B, a floating control circuit 4, a transmitter circuit 5, and a receiver circuit 6, respectively. In a data phase period, the switch portions SW1H and SW1L are turned ON, and the switch portions SW2H, SW2L, SW3H, and SW3L are turned OFF. By that manner, the electrostatic capacitance element CS is charged by the power supply of a battery B, and an electrostatic capacitance element CH provides the floating power supply to the floating control circuit 4, the transmitter circuit 5, and the receiver circuit 6, respectively. By this manner, a floating switch unit 7 in which the number of the switch portions is considerably reduced can be configured.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2006Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Renesas Electronics CorporationInventors: Kazuyoshi Takai, Takahiro Yashita, Kikuo Kato, Kazuaki Kubo
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Patent number: 7989981Abstract: A power adaptor and storage unit is configured to simultaneously provide power to a portable electronic device and to a portable power module. In some cases, the portable power module is integrated into the power adaptor. The power adaptor receives power unusable by the electronic device, converts it to a usable form, stores some of the converted power if possible, and supplies the power to the device.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2007Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Flextronics AP, LLCInventor: Xiaoyang Zhang
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Patent number: 7990668Abstract: Device protection using temperature compensation. A logic module associated with groups of capacitors adjusts complex impedance planes associated with the capacitor groups to account for ambient temperature variations. In particular, the logic module is configured to adjust a center of a circle of each complex impedance plane based on an average impedance. The average impedance for a selected capacitor group includes impedance measurements for groups other than the selected group, to prevent capacitor failures in that group from skewing the average. The logic module can adjust the circle center in response to changes in average impedance over periods of time. For example, the logic module can filter measured differences in average impedance using a low pass filter, to distinguish slow impedance changes caused by temperature variations and rapid impedance changes caused by capacitor failures. The logic module can adjust the circle center in accordance with the filtered difference value.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2008Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Cooper Technologies CompanyInventors: Timothy Robert Day, Daniel Patrick Roth
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Patent number: 7990661Abstract: The active shield superconducting electromagnet apparatus includes: a main switching circuit in which first and second main coils, first and second shield coils, and a first superconducting persistent current switch are connected in series; a sub switching circuit in which a bypass circuit, in which a superconducting fault current limiter and a second superconducting persistent current switch are connected in series, are connected to a series circuit of the first main coil and the second main coil in parallel; a first closed circuit in which at least one of the first main coil and the first shield coil, and a first quench protection circuit are connected in series; and a second closed circuit in which one of the second main coil and the second shield coil, and a second quench protection circuit are connected in series.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2008Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiya Higuchi, Mitsushi Abe, Ryuya Ando, Tsutomu Yamamoto, Takuro Honda
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Patent number: 7986503Abstract: A circuit protection system is provided that utilizes a single state definition for each of the zones of protection of the circuit to increase computational efficiency. Multiple zone protective functions can be performed on a single zone of protection and can reference the single state definition.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2003Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas F. Papallo, Gregory P. Lavoie, John S. Vandevanter
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Patent number: 7986057Abstract: A method and system for improving peak power capability in an electrical system is disclosed. The system may include an auxiliary generator operated in conjunction with one or more main engine generators during the need for increased transient load demands. The system may include a main engine generator, an auxiliary generator, an inverter/converter controller (ICC) connected to respective generators, a semi-conductor power device connected between the ICCs, and a main bus between the semi-conductor power device and a load.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2008Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Evgeni Ganev, Bulent Sarlioglu, William Warr
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Patent number: 7986061Abstract: An electrical switching device has a first interrupter unit for interrupting and connecting an electrical line, in particular an air-insulated grounding switch. A method for switching an air-insulated grounding switch assures that no arc owing to a voltage flashover is produced on the air-insulated grounding switch. A second interrupter unit, which is connected in parallel with the first interrupter unit, can be switched such that resultant striking of an arc during switching only takes place in the second interrupter unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2007Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: Siemens AktiengesekkschaftInventors: Torsten Kuntze, Carsten Protze, Dirk Schräder