Abstract: A control apparatus for a load device mounted on a vehicle is provided with: a temperature sensor detecting a temperature of an inverter; a voltage sensor detecting an applied voltage of the inverter; and a control unit operating the inverter in a case where the applied voltage is a predetermined upper limit value or lower whereas stopping the inverter in a case where the applied voltage is higher than the upper limit value based on a voltage detection result by the voltage sensor. The control unit sets the upper limit value based on temperature dependency of a withstand voltage of an IGBT element included in the inverter and a temperature detection result by the temperature sensor.
Abstract: A modular vehicle power system for a vehicle, the modular vehicle power system obtaining DC power the vehicle and producing AC power and method therefore. A plurality of power modules, each of the plurality of power modules receiving the DC power from the vehicle and producing the AC power, wherein each of the plurality of power modules are independent and interchangeable.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 21, 2008
Date of Patent:
May 31, 2011
Assignee:
Diversified Technology, Inc.
Inventors:
Jeff A. Reichard, Larry Monroe Ables, David Bryant Moak, Jr.
Abstract: An electrostatic chuck and method for clamping and de-clamping a workpiece is provided. The ESC comprises a clamping plate having a clamping surface, and one or more electrodes. An electric potential applied to the one or more electrodes selectively clamps the workpiece to the clamping surface. An arc pin operably coupled to the clamping plate and a power source provides an arc for penetrating an insulating layer of the workpiece. The arc pin is selectively connected to an electrical ground, wherein upon removal of the insulative layer of the workpiece, the arc pin provides an electrical ground connection to the workpiece.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 31, 2008
Date of Patent:
May 31, 2011
Assignee:
Axcelis Technologies, Inc.
Inventors:
Marvin R. LaFontaine, Ari Eiriksson, Ashwin M. Purohit, William D. Lee
Abstract: A hydraulic control system includes a key detector that detects whether an ignition key is in an on state, a control portion that outputs different control signals according to whether the engine is on if the key is on, and a valve, such as a solenoid valve, that controls gear shifts according to the control signals from the control portion. A hydraulic control method includes determining whether an ignition key is on; determining whether an engine is on or off if the key is on; and controlling a valve, such as a solenoid valve, that controls gear shifts, differently depending on whether the engine is on or off, such as by applying different duty values to the valve. A low duty value may be applied to the valve when the engine is off, and a higher duty value may be applied to the valve when the engine is on.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 24, 2008
Date of Patent:
May 31, 2011
Assignees:
Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Aisin Aw Co., Ltd.
Abstract: A starting system for aircraft engines employs power from multiple power sources. Each engine is started with a starter motor that is driven by the same multiple power sources which collectively provide starting power. As engine speed increases during each starting cycle a voltage boost is progressively provided by a boost converter. The starting system allows use of voltages higher than output voltage of the power sources while allowing the power sources to remain connected to a main aircraft power distribution bus.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 14, 2007
Date of Patent:
May 31, 2011
Assignee:
Honeywell International Inc.
Inventors:
Rocco Divito, Nicolae Morcov, Ray McGinley
Abstract: A discharge share ratio calculation unit (52) calculates, for each power storage device, a remaining electric power quantity before an SOC is reached with respect to which an allowable discharge electric power is restricted, and calculates a discharge power share ratio between power storage devices according to the ratio of the remaining electric power quantity. A charge share ratio calculation unit (54) calculates, for each power storage device, a chargeable quantity before an SOC is reached with respect to which an allowable charge electric power is restricted, and calculates a charge power share ratio between power storage devices according to the ratio of the chargeable quantity.
Abstract: A transfer switch controller is for a transfer switch, which cooperates with a plurality of loads including an air conditioner. The transfer switch controller includes a first input structured to input a thermostat start request signal for the air conditioner, a second input structured to determine power consumed by the loads, an output structured to output a start signal to the air conditioner, and a circuit. The circuit cooperates with the first input, the second input and the output. The circuit causes the start signal to be output by the output responsive to the thermostat start request signal of the first input if the determined power consumed by the loads is less than the difference between a predetermined maximum power output of a generator and a previous maximum peak start up power consumed by the air conditioner.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 21, 2008
Date of Patent:
May 24, 2011
Assignee:
Eaton Corporation
Inventors:
Todd M. Lathrop, Bert Popovich, Jacob A. Hjemvick, Samuel E. Faylo
Abstract: A power supply management system includes means for detecting required electric power supply from electric loads installed in the motor vehicle, means for determining a distribution of amounts of the electric power to be distributed to the electric loads from an electric power resource in the motor vehicle based on the requirements of the supply of the electric power from the electric loads, and means for supplying one of amounts of the electric power to a corresponding one of the electric loads in accordance with the distribution of the amounts of the electric power.
Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply including at least one first input, a power supply output, a first converter which is shut down when operating in economic mode, a reversible second converter, a branching and/or selection circuit for connecting an input directly to the power supply output when operating in economic mode, and control units for use when operating with the input disconnected from the power supply output, and switching between some of the units to regulate the current at the input when operating in economic mode.
Abstract: There is provided a static eliminator for accurately detecting a contamination condition of a discharge electrode, in which a target value as a target frame ground current value is changed from, for example, zero as a reference alternately to the plus side and the minus side to such a degree as not to affect the ion balance of a workpiece, and the follow-up time, namely a phase delay, with respect to the change in target value differs depending on the contamination condition of the discharge electrode, and becomes longer with the progress of the contamination, and by use of this characteristic, a plurality of thresholds are prepared and compared with a detected frame ground current value, so as to detect the contamination condition of the discharge electrode.
Abstract: A safety switching apparatus for the failsafe disconnection of an electrical load has a first and a second terminal for supplying a first and a second signal from a signaling device, such as an emergency-off button. The safety switching apparatus also has a first and a second switching element which together produce a redundant output switching signal for disconnecting the load. The first switching element has a first control circuit to which the first signal is supplied. The second switching element has a second control circuit to which the second signal is supplied. The safety switching apparatus further has circuitry providing a first current path, an alternative second current path and at least one further switching element. The at least one further switching element is designed to select either the first or the second current path, depending on a polarity of the second signal, in order to route the second signal to the second control circuit.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 20, 2008
Date of Patent:
May 24, 2011
Assignee:
Pilz GmbH & Co. KG
Inventors:
Thomas Nitsche, Boris Kaufmann, Johannes Hopp, Rolf Dickhoff
Abstract: A feedback controller comprises first and second feedback circuits. The first feedback circuit is connected between an input node and an output node and has an error node. The first feedback circuit comprising a feedback amplifier for comparing a feedback signal to a reference signal and providing an error signal, and a comparator for comparing the error signal to a second reference signal and providing an output signal. The second feedback circuit is connected between the input node and the error node and comprises a current source coupled to the error node and a controller coupled to the input node for controlling the current source in response to a value of the feedback signal being above or below a threshold value.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 30, 2007
Date of Patent:
May 24, 2011
Assignee:
Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co. Ltd.
Inventors:
Chik Wai Ng, Yat To Wong, David Kwok Kuen Kwong
Abstract: A controller for functionally controlling a domestic appliance, such as a dryer, comprises a monitoring device that monitors the correct functioning of the domestic appliance. The domestic appliance has at least one monitoring connection connected to at least one associated evaluation node within a power circuit of the domestic appliance, and an evaluation device evaluates a signal produced at the at least one monitoring connection, for monitoring the correct functioning of the domestic appliance.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 9, 2009
Date of Patent:
May 24, 2011
Assignee:
E.G.O. Control Systems GmbH
Inventors:
Thomas Henle, Gottlieb Harald, Walter Beck, Rolf Streifler
Abstract: A settings emulator for a circuit breaker trip unit includes a handheld enclosure and a plurality of adjustable rotary switches mounted on the handheld enclosure. The adjustable rotary switches define a plurality of different trip settings for the circuit breaker trip unit. A communication channel is also mounted on the handheld enclosure. A microprocessor is enclosed by the handheld enclosure. The processor reads the different trip settings from the adjustable rotary switches and communicates the different trip settings through the communication channel to the circuit breaker trip unit.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 30, 2008
Date of Patent:
May 24, 2011
Assignee:
Eaton Corporation
Inventors:
Harry J. Carlino, Todd M. Shaak, Brian S. Caffro, Joseph B. Humbert
Abstract: A modular power distribution backplane, system, and method. The modular power distribution backplane can be configured with a plurality of dual-operation tags for placement of components in the backplane. The system and method also can automatically and electronically ensure and verify proper placement or replacement of components in the backplane.
Abstract: A method and apparatus for characterizing a circuit coupled to an AC line. The apparatus comprises a consumption measurement unit (CMU), adapted for coupling, independent of voltage and current polarity, to the AC line and the circuit. The CMU comprises a discovery module adapted for (i) generating a circuit current signature based on current samples representative of current on a phase of the circuit, (ii) generating at least one AC line current signature based on AC line current samples representative of current on each phase of the AC line, and (iii) determining, based on the circuit current signature, the at least one AC line current signature, and at least one of a source profile or a load profile, at least one of a type or a voltage characteristic for the circuit.
Abstract: A capacitor device includes a normally open internal relay provided on an electric wire of a capacitor. The internal relay can be closed by supplying the power from a battery.
Abstract: A self fault-detection circuit for a ground fault circuit interrupter comprising: (i) a Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV) fault detection unit for detecting a fault condition of the MOV, and sending a first trigger signal if a fault condition of the MOV is detected, (ii) a trip circuit fault detection unit for detecting a fault condition of a trip circuit, and sending a second trigger signal if a fault condition of the trip circuit is detected; and (iii) a fault reaction unit for receiving at least one of the first trigger signal and the second trigger signal, and responding to the first and second trigger signals with an action, when at least one of the first and the second trigger signals is received by the fault reaction unit, the fault reaction unit indicates that at least one fault condition exists in the ground fault circuit interrupter.
Abstract: Control modes for operating multiple power sources include energy storage systems and applicable to large systems such as locomotives. Selectable operating modes are provided for different locomotive speed ranges and work loads. A common DC bus electrical architecture is used so that prime power sources need not be synchronized. Multiple-engine locomotives have the engine systems that may be electrically connected in parallel or in series or in combinations of parallel and series to a DC bus.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 4, 2010
Date of Patent:
May 17, 2011
Assignee:
Railpower, LLC
Inventors:
Frank Wegner Donnelly, John David Watson, Bruce Wolff
Abstract: A device may include an interconnect module that includes a number of ports, where each port is configured to receive both an alternating current (AC) power supply and a direct current (DC) power supply; where the interconnect module provides power from the received power supplies to a plurality of field replaceable units (FRUs).