Patents Examined by Michael Sherry
  • Automatic transfer switch capable of receiving input power having voltage within a wide range
    Patent number: 7259481
    Abstract: An automatic transfer switch (ATS) system and method of operating an ATS system are disclosed. The ATS system includes at least one input port capable of being coupled to at least one power source to receive an input power, a first internal component that requires internal power satisfying a first criterion in order to properly operate, and a power converter such as a switch mode power supply that is coupled to the first internal component and to the at least one input port. The power converter is capable of receiving the input power by way of the at least one input port and converting the input power into the internal power to be provided to the first internal component. The internal power provided by the power converter satisfies the first criterion, even though at least one characteristic of the input power varies within a range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Zane C. Eaton, John S. O'Grady
  • Method of controlling parallel diverse conversion paths in DC-to-DC power converter
    Patent number: 7259473
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter has a plurality of diverse type DC-DC converter channels whose outputs are combined to provide a composite DC power output to a load. One of the channels is a high efficiency power path that supplies the average current demand of the load. A second channel comprises a fast transient response power path which handles transient response demands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.
    Inventor: Shea Lynn Petricek
  • Phase control switching device
    Patent number: 7259947
    Abstract: Respective contact terminals in respective arc-suppressing spaces of respective breakers are opened at a voltage zero point of any phase of three phases, simultaneously among the three phases. If current breaking is carried out for the three phases at the same time, when the breakers of the three phases are opened, the residual magnetic levels of the respective phases of a transformer can be controlled so that the residual magnetic flux level of the phase opened at the voltage zero point is maximum (for example, ?2K or +2K) and the residual magnetic flux level of the other two phases are opposite in polarity to the residual magnetic flux level of the phase concerned and equal to substantially the same residual magnetic flux (for example, +K and +K or ?K and ?K) which is equal to about one half of the residual magnetic flux level of the phase concerned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sadayuki Kinoshita, Hiroki Ito, Haruhiko Kohyama, Kenji Kamei
  • Device and method for operating an electrical machine for a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 7256514
    Abstract: Device and method for operation of at least one electrical machine for a motor vehicle. In order to coordinate torque requirements for the propulsion system and voltage requirements for the vehicle power supply system and at least one battery for the vehicle power supply system, a voltage reference variable is formed for the voltage requirements for the vehicle power supply system, and a torque reference variable is formed for the torque requirements of the propulsion system. The voltage reference variable is limited by upper and lower torque limit values which must not be overshot or undershot in the event of changes to the voltage reference variable. The torque reference variable is limited by voltage limit values which must not be overshot or undershot in the event of torque changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Harald Braun, Norbert Ebner, Franz Nietfeld, Fritz Schmidt
  • Power supply system with high cooling capability
    Patent number: 7256515
    Abstract: A power supply system for supplying power to a system load is described. The power supply system includes a plurality of power supply modules. Each power supply module includes a power-generating module, a unidirectional device, and a fan. When the power-generating module is in normal operation, the power generated by the power-generating module is sent in one direction to the system load through the unidirectional device. When the power-generating module fails, the fan is powered from a terminal connected to the system load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Quanta Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuan-Chen Liang, Yu-Shin Liao, Chao-Jung Chen
  • ESD protection circuit and method
    Patent number: 7256975
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit and method thereof are presented. In some embodiments, a high voltage tolerant input/output circuit comprises an ESD detection circuit, a first first-type transistor, a first second-type transistor, and a second second-type transistor. The first first-type transistor and the first second-type transistor are coupled to a pad. The ESD detection circuit determines whether ESD occurs at the pad and, if so, couples the gates of the first and second second-type transistors to the second power rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi-Hsun Wu, Jian-Hsing Lee, Shui-Hung Chen
  • Electrical ground isolation and secondary failure reduction detection and isolation
    Patent number: 7256974
    Abstract: A system for isolating electrical ground faults and secondary failures in an electrical system, the system comprising an AC ground isolation state machine for detecting and isolating an AC ground, a DC ground isolation state machine for detecting and isolating a DC ground, a component failure isolation state machine for detecting and isolating a change in a resistance, and a component failure early detection algorithm for determining a failure before using the state machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Wade McNally, Ajith K. Kumar, Bret Dwayne Worden
  • Battery charging system and method
    Patent number: 7256516
    Abstract: A charging system for simultaneously charging the batteries of a plurality of battery powered vehicles. The charging includes one or more DC-DC power converters having one or more charging ports configured to plug into the batteries. The DC-DC power converters are each configured to selectively connect to more than one charging port to selectively provide for higher port power levels. The DC-DC power converters connect to an AC rectifier through a DC bus. The AC rectifier connects to an AC power source having a limited power rating. The AC charging system also has a controller that controls the operation of the DC-DC power converters such that the total power draw on the AC rectifier does not exceed the power rating. The system is further configured such that the DC-DC power converters can drain selected batteries to obtain power for charging other batteries, thus allowing for batteries to be cycled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Aerovironment Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Buchanan, Joseph F. Mohos, Wally E. Rippel
  • Miswire protection switch compression spring
    Patent number: 7256973
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a ground fault circuit interrupt (GFCI) device. The GFCI device includes a GFCI device housing. A GFCI circuit is enclosed within GFCI device housing. The GFCI circuit is configured to detect a ground fault condition. A second detection circuit is coupled to the GFCI circuit and disposed within the GFCI device housing. The second detection circuit includes a switch element configured to be in an open position during at least one post-manufacture test procedure and configured to be in a closed position during usage. A protection switch is disposed on the exterior of the GFCI device housing and operatively coupled to the switch element. The protection switch is configured to allow a user to throw the switch element into the closed position without accessing the interior of the GFCI device housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Pass & Seymour, Inc.
    Inventors: Dejan Radosavljevic, Gerald R. Savicki, Jr., Richard Weeks
  • Acoustic fluid machine
    Patent number: 7252178
    Abstract: An acoustic fluid machine such as an air compressor comprises an acoustic resonator, a valve device and a piston. Air is sucked into the resonator through the valve device at one end of the resonator. The piston at the other end of the resonator is reciprocated by an actuator to compress the air in the resonator to cause resonance to increase pressure of the air significantly. The inner surface of the resonator is suitably curved to comply with the formula of a half-period cosine function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Anest Iwata Corporation
    Inventors: Masaaki Kawahashi, Tamotsu Fujioka, Masayuki Saito
  • Controlling power supplied to a circuit using an externally applied magnetic field
    Patent number: 7250695
    Abstract: A power control circuit is used to control the power supplied to a circuit from a power source. The power control circuit is operable to connect and disconnect the power source from the circuit. The power control circuit connects the power source to the circuit in response to an externally applied magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Timothy Connors, Geoffrey Martin Lyon, Salil Pradhan
  • Power-saving control module for an electrical appliance
    Patent number: 7250694
    Abstract: In a power-saving control module for an electrical appliance that includes a DC power supply and a remote control receiver, a switch component serves to make or break electrical connection between an AC power source and the DC power supply, a diode provides a path for supply of a DC power output from the DC power supply to the remote control receiver when connection between the DC power supply and the AC power source is made, and a rechargeable power source provides DC power to the remote control receiver when connection between the DC power supply and the AC power source is broken. A driver is controlled by the remote control receiver so as to cause the switch component to make or break the electrical connection between the AC power source and the DC power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Top Victory Electronics (Taiwan) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun-Fu Lin
  • Active transient voltage compensator for improving converter fast transient response
    Patent number: 7251113
    Abstract: A direct current to direct current (DC-to-DC) converter having an active transient voltage compensator (ATVC) coupled with the DC-to-DC converter output terminal to improve a fast transient response of the DC-to-DC converter. The active transient voltage compensator compensates the DC output only during transient operation The ATVC includes a transformer for reducing the ATVC current stresses to improve the compensator efficiency and injecting, absorbing high slew rate current, and a controller circuit for controlling ATVC operation in steady state and normal operation in transients. During step-up load the ATVC operates as a buck converter and during step-down load, the ATVC operates as a boost converter while the main converter operates at low switching frequency for good efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Research Foundation of The University of Central Florida
    Inventors: Issa Batarseh, Xiangcheng Wang, Shamala A. Chickamenahalli, Edward Stanford
  • Wide input voltage range relay drive circuit for universal defrost timer
    Patent number: 7245475
    Abstract: A wide input voltage range relay drive circuit allowing a more than 2:1 input voltage variation is provided. The circuit utilizes a scaled and rectified bulk voltage to drive the relay coil. As the monitored bulk voltage increases beyond the relay coil rated voltage, the circuit pulse width multiplexes this bulk voltage to protect the relay coil. The bulk voltage switching does not begin, however, until the relay energizes. To reduce the power dissipation during the PWM switching, of the relay coil, a power dissipating switch is included and held on during the PWM switching events. To further increase relay life, the circuit controls the energizing of the relay coil to actuate the contacts of the relay at or near a zero cross of the power switched thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Ranco Incorporated of Delaware
    Inventors: Terry Lee Huber, Dale Thomas Rodda
  • ESD protection circuit between different voltage sources
    Patent number: 7245467
    Abstract: An ESD protection circuit for hybrid voltage sources includes a first bipolar transistor set and a second bipolar transistor set, a first detection circuit, and a second detection circuit. The ON/OFF states of the first bipolar transistor set and the second bipolar transistor set are determined by the first and the second detection circuit, and the ON/OFF states function to isolate terminals of the different voltage sources and discharge electrostatic charges injected into one of the terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Ta-Hsun Yeh, Yung-Hao Lin, Yuh-Sheng Jean
  • Discharge device for inductive devices
    Patent number: 7245471
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting an energized inductive device such as an electromagnet from an open circuit, i.e., the loss of the power source for the inductive device. A diode is connected across terminals of the inductive device such that when the inductive device is normally energized, the diode is reversed-biased. A spark gap enclosed in a housing is connected in series with the diode. An inert gas fills the housing. A resistance in the form of one or more resistors is in series with both the diode and the spark gap. Upon the sudden loss of supply to the energized device, the diode, the resistance and the spark gap form a path for the discharge of energy from the inductive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Edw. C. Levy Co.
    Inventors: Michael Pollock, Fred Kahl
  • Actuator drive controller
    Patent number: 7242567
    Abstract: An actuator drive controller is equipped with a power source for supplying power to an actuator; a voltage detector for detecting a voltage of the power source; and a controller for controlling a current supplied to the actuator, based on the voltage detected. When the voltage becomes not more than a reference value, the controller controls the current supplied to the actuator so as to become lower than a current set in advance, depending on consumption power of the actuator, in a case that the consumption power of the actuator is not less than a specified value set in advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirotomi Nemoto
  • Method for determining a steady state battery terminal voltage
    Patent number: 7078878
    Abstract: A method for determining a steady state battery terminal voltage is provided. An equivalent charge (or discharge) resistance is determined based on predetermined equivalent charge (or discharge) resistance data, and an effective no load charge (or discharge) voltage is determined based on predetermined effective no load charge (or discharger) voltage data. The steady state battery terminal voltage is calculated based on the calculated equivalent charge (or discharge) resistance and the calculated effective no load charge (or discharge) voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jae Seung Koo
  • Charging circuit for parallel charging in multiple battery systems
    Patent number: 7064521
    Abstract: A charging circuit for controlling a system charging parameter provided to a host of rechargeable batteries, wherein the host of batteries includes at least a first battery and second battery that may be coupled in parallel. The charging circuit provides for fast charging of rechargeable batteries in parallel. Independent current and voltage sensing for each battery enables parallel charging of batteries at different charging currents. The charging circuit may be configured to accept either analog or digital signals from an associated power management unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: O2Micro International Limited
    Inventors: Vlad Popescu Stanesti, Marian Niculae, Constantin Bucur
  • Charging circuit for secondary battery
    Patent number: 7012405
    Abstract: A charging circuit for a secondary battery includes a constant-voltage circuit part outputting one of a plurality of predetermined constant voltages and charges the secondary battery by applying the constant voltage thereto, a detection circuit part detecting a battery voltage of the secondary battery, and a control circuit part controlling the selection of the constant-voltage in response to the detected battery voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Junji Nishida, Shinya Manabe