Patents Examined by Josie A. Ballato
  • Patent number: 6404078
    Abstract: A battery powered lawn mower includes a cutting deck 2; an electric motor 6 mounted on the deck 2; a battery 8 mounted on the deck which is in electrical connection with the motor 6; and a switch 12 mounted on the deck 2. The switch is disposed closely adjacent both the battery 8 and the motor 6 and is between the battery and motor in the electrical circuit. The switch is linked by a cable to a lever mounted on the mower handle which controls the switch so as to be in one of two positions. In the first position the switch links the motor and battery so as operate the motor. In the second position, the switch links the two terminals of the motor so as to create regenerative braking within the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Thomas, Daniel Bone
  • Patent number: 6404075
    Abstract: A power delivery system including a primary power bus for transferring power to the facility from on-site generators, and a secondary power bus for transferring power to the facility from a utility. The system further includes a static disconnect switch capable of quickly isolating the facility from the utility power grid, and a controller for controlling the overall operation of the power delivery system. In a normal mode of operation, the utility supplies power approximately in the amount of the single largest load in the facility, with the remaining power being supplied by the on-site generators. If one or more of the generators go off-line, the power supply from the utility may be increased. Similarly, if the quality of the power supplied by the utility drops below a predetermined level, the static disconnect switch quickly opens and islands the facility, whereupon 100% of the power is supplied by the generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Chevron Energy Solutions, L.P.
    Inventors: David S. Potter, Eduardo A. Alegria
  • Patent number: 6400044
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for the protection of electronic functional units and/or functional groups from disturbance quantities. The invention is characterized in that a division of the functional units and/or groups into partial units and/or groups with different sensitivity to the disturbance quantities is provided, in that a different screening from the disturbance quantities is assigned to the partial units and/or groups with different sensitivity to the disturbance quantities, and in that at least two of the screenings complete each other to a screening with a greater efficiency degree or factor, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co., OHG
    Inventors: Peter Lohberg, Roland Burghardt, Klaus Rink
  • Patent number: 6396166
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a data protective receptacle with the power saving function to accomplish the power saving by getting a sub-receptacle to be automatically controlled so that it may be on or off by a main receptacle. Since this invention can get the power for driving peripheral appliances automatically to be off when the main power for the computer system gets to be off, it can reduce the consumption current thereof while it stands by. Also, this invention gets both alternating-current (AC) power lines to be off when the main system gets to be off, and thereby, it can cut off any leaking current flowing between one power line and the ground line so that the power consumption may be reduced while the system stands by.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignees: Jinnes Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Hyung-Kwang Kim
  • Patent number: 6396163
    Abstract: A sensor is mounted in a vehicle such that the temperature of the sensor is not excessively raised or lowered and the sensor is water-proofed and protected from relatively low frequency vibrations transmitted from the vehicle body. A mounting structure includes an enclosure formed in the vehicle to form a closed space, the sensor, and a water proof case containing the sensor. The case is mounted to the vehicle within the enclosure. The sensor is connected to the case by high-damping rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Kenji Sugiura, Toshikazu Kamiya, Kazuo Komori, Toshiyuki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6396164
    Abstract: Electronic devices (38) are added to the electrical system (10) of a motor vehicle and utilize controls (20-26) and indicators (14) existing within the vehicle. The add-on electronic devices (34-38) interact with a gateway (30), and the gateway (30) is coupled to the electrical system (10). The function of the controls (20-26) and indicators (14) within the vehicle are context controlled relative to the operating context of the existing vehicle electronic systems and the add-on electronic devices (34-38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Barnea, Mark A. Ruthenbeck
  • Patent number: 6396167
    Abstract: A power distribution system delivers power onto a regulated bus to a load from a plurality of individual indivisible DC power source devices and or DC energy storage devices each having a respective regulator for coupling the devices onto the bus. Respective storage device chargers for the DC energy storage devices enable charging of the DC energy storage devices when the DC power source devices provide power in excess of the demands of the load. The respective regulators and chargers continue to provide sufficient coupled power onto the bus even in the event of a failure of one or more of the devices thereby enabling graceful degradation of power delivery to the load for improved reliably of the power delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: The Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: Edward J. Simburger, Alonzo Prater, Peter J. Carian
  • Patent number: 6396170
    Abstract: Presented is a modular uninterruptible power supply system utilizing common power modules, and providing redundant coordinated control thereof. The system and method of the instant invention provides identical control logic within each of the individual power modules, thus dispensing with the requirement for a separate control module to control and coordinate the operating modes and parameters of the UPS system. A system is presented whereby a virtual master is established through an arbitration scheme at initialization of the UPS system. The master then assigns a virtual vice master to provide the redundant back up control should the virtual master no longer be able to perform its functions. Nearly simultaneous control of operational mode and state change functions is accomplished through a coordinated communications system including a high-speed communications bus and digital control logic lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Powerware Corporation
    Inventors: Derek Laufenberg, Peter Jungwirth, Joseph R. Wade
  • Patent number: 6396172
    Abstract: The switching apparatus is intended to be used with a segment of an electric power line having several phase lines. Each of the phase lines has several conductors electrically insulated one from the other and connected in parallel. The conductors of each phase line are short-circuited among them at two extremities of the segment. The apparatus comprises pairs of switches connected in parallel, for selectively opening and closing the conductors of each phase line, a detecting device for detecting current operating conditions of the segment, and a controlling device for controlling the pairs of switches according to the current operating conditions of the segment. The present invention also relates to a switching method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Hydro-Quebec
    Inventor: Pierre Couture
  • Patent number: 6392861
    Abstract: A surge arrester includes a mounting bracket, a surge arresting element, an electrically conductive connector, and a fault disconnector. The mounting bracket forms a bracket cup. The surge arresting element is arranged to conduct in the presence of a surge. The electrically conductive connector is electrically coupled to the surge arresting element and forms a connector cup. The electrically conductive connector is received by the mounting bracket so that the bracket cup is received in the connector cup. The fault disconnector is arranged to disconnect the surge arresting element from an electrical line in the event of a fault, and the fault disconnector is housed within the housing formed by the connector cup and the bracket cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Joslyn Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Duc B. Trinh, Noel Apolinario, Frederick W. Burtelson
  • Patent number: 6392319
    Abstract: An electrical apparatus having a modular structure is characterized by a connection module that can be mounted on a carrier rail that is provided with connection levels including double or multiple connections and a serial alignment of disk-shaped base terminal carriers. Several power supply elements are provided on the terminal carriers, the elements being connected to the connection levels via bus bars of the disk-shaped base terminal carriers. The bus bars extend only on one of the sides of the base terminal carrier to the pertinent multiple connections. With the use of base terminal carriers, both a block structure and a disk structure as well as a combination of the two can be constructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Weidmüller Interface GmbH Co.
    Inventors: Christoph Zebermann, Jens Pilgrim, Manfred Wilmes, Michael Schnatwinkel, Rudolf Steinmeier, Walter Hanning
  • Patent number: 6392864
    Abstract: An electrical driver circuit for a cantilever solenoid valve includes first and second electrical switching devices for converting logical control input signals into respective control outputs. Third and fourth electrical switching devices are controlled as a function of the control output produced by the first switching device. Fifth and sixth electrical switching devices are controlled as a function of the control output produced by the second switching device. A voltage potential difference is created between a first electrically common point, defined between the third and fourth switching devices, and a second electrically common point, defined between the fifth and sixth switching devices, as a function of the logical signals received into the first and second switching devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Truck Brake Systems Co.
    Inventors: Jing Tang, Jeff White
  • Patent number: 6388344
    Abstract: A power semiconductor array on a direct copper bonding (DCB) semiconductor substrate is created, in which the interference emissions propagated via its terminal lines are eliminated, or at least greatly reduced, directly on the semiconductor device. The power semiconductor array on the DCB substrate includes a first intermediate circuit terminal connected to a positive potential, a second intermediate circuit terminal connected to a negative potential, and at least one load terminal. The power semiconductor array further includes at least two power switches for connecting the load terminal to the first and second intermediate circuit terminals in alternation. The power semiconductor array is characterized by bridging connections that connect at least some of the terminals of the power semiconductor array that lead to the outside to one another in pairs, so that interference circuits within the power semiconductor array are closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Frank Klotz, Leo Lorenz
  • Patent number: 6384490
    Abstract: A process to be performed when starting the engine of a vehicle with an automated or automatic transmission and a vehicle brake which can be operated by way of external power is provided. In order to secure the vehicle against rolling away without any impairment of the operating comfort, situations are detected which express the imminent starting of the engine. The vehicle brake, particularly the service brake, is operated by way of external power before the starting of the engine for securely blocking the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Willibald Birzl, Matthias Herger
  • Patent number: 6384489
    Abstract: In an energy supply circuit for a motor vehicle on-board electrical system with two voltage supply branches at different voltage levels, the first voltage supply branch can be fed by way of an electric direct voltage converter by the second voltage supply branch and the second voltage supply branch can be fed by a generator. A multi-level controller W3 with three voltage levels is provided whose first in/output is connected with the second voltage supply branch, whose second in/output is connected with the first voltage supply branch and whose third in/output is connected with the energy accumulator B1 assigned to the first voltage supply branch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Roland Bluemel, Fritz Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6385023
    Abstract: A reclosing apparatus for the auxiliary systems of a plant, in particular a power station, has drive modules (81) for actuating electrical drives (23a, 23b, 33, 53a, 53b, 63, 73) of the auxiliary systems. Each drive module (81) of a reclosable drive (23a, 33, 53a, 63, 73) is assigned a reclosing module (82). When a voltage interruption occurs, the reclosing modules (82) switch the drives (23a, 33, 53a, 63, 73) by opening switches (22a, 32a, 52a, 62, 72). If the end of the voltage interruption is detected within a predetermined time, the reclosing modules (82) switch the drives (23a, 33, 53a, 63, 73) on again. Each busbar (2, 3, 5, 6, 7) which supplies a drive (23a, 33, 53a, 63, 73) provided with a reclosing module (82) is equipped with a microprocessor-controlled voltage monitoring device (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AG
    Inventors: Sudhir Pednekar, Hans-Werner Schlett, Richard Blatter, Theo Goebelbecker
  • Patent number: 6385022
    Abstract: A protective relay that derives and processes power system data from multiple user-configurable data source points. Data from multiple source points can be combined in the relay as a single source of data useful to perform a wide variety of monitoring and protection tasks. Multiple digital signal processing modules can be used to provide additional processing resources, including the ability to provide protection and revenue-class metering in a single device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ara Kulidjian, Jeff Mazereeuw
  • Patent number: 6381115
    Abstract: A redundant electric fuse circuit is provided that includes a plurality of fuses coupled in series and each having a fuse control device operable for generating a current through each fuse sufficient to blow the fuse. A first fuse control signal is activated to generate a sufficient current through one of the fuses to blow the fuse. A second fuse control signal is activated to generate a sufficient current through the other fuse to blow that fuse. The electric fuse circuit provides redundancy thereby increasing the yield of integrated circuits by reducing the probability that a defective fuse (i.e., a fuse that reforms after blowing) will cause a fatal defect in the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Tsiu Chiu Chan, Elmer Henry Guritz
  • Patent number: 6380642
    Abstract: During manual activation of an activation switch, authorization data are transmitted from a key to a lock. A steering lock unlocks the steering if the authorization data correspond to reference data. The ignition is then switched on and the steering lock is deenergzied as long as the ignition remains switched on. Consequently, the steering lock cannot be activated inadvertently during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Reiner Buchner
  • Patent number: 6381109
    Abstract: A safety tripping system is controlled to prevent electrical arcing during use of high voltage apparatus, in particular an electrostatic coating product applicator. The safety tripping system is activated if at least one current parameter reaches a threshold. The threshold is varied as a function of the value of the high voltage in accordance with a predetermined law.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Sames S.A.
    Inventors: Jean Pierre Burtin, Caryl Thome