Patents Examined by Phuong T. Vu
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Patent number: 7102871Abstract: A disassembling device for separating a pedestal, a ceramic element and a base from an electrostatic chuck assembly. The base has a first end surface and a second end surface. The ceramic element is disposed on the first end surface. The pedestal is disposed on the ceramic element. The disassembling device includes a main body and at least one pushing element. The main body is disposed on the second end surface and has a through hole. The at least one pushing element penetrates the through hole and pushes against the ceramic element and pedestal to separate the ceramic element and pedestal from the first end surface of the base.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2003Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co,, Ltd.Inventors: Cheng-Liang Chang, Ray Chuang, Jen Wei, Chian-Kuo Huang, Huan-Wen Lai, Ching-Sun Lee, Cheng-Yua Chuang, Chi-Ching Lo, Neo-Feng Chiou, Yen-Bo Huang
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Patent number: 7102252Abstract: A dual solid state switch architecture has a plurality of control/monitor ports, selected ones of which are used to control the operation of a pair of power MOSFETs current flow paths through which are coupled to prescribed ones of a plurality of input/output ports that are adapted to be coupled to a circuit path containing a load and either and AC or DC power source therefor. Selected others of the control/monitor ports are used to monitor current delivered to the load. A leakage current by-pass resistor is connected between selected input/output ports, to which a neon tube may be connected for indicating the switching on of an AC source. This resistor serves to provide a bypass path for leakage current through the MOSFETs, so as to prevent the neon tube from being erroneously illuminated, when the MOSFETs have been turned off.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2003Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: Adtran, Inc.Inventor: Jeffrey J Bertrand
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Patent number: 7102861Abstract: A cryogenic current limiting fuse is disclosed together with a method of manufacturing a cryogenic current limiting fuse, the cryogenic current limiting fuse comprising a first cryogenic composite and a second cryogenic composite wherein at least one of the first and the second cryogenic composites has a non-linear and increasing resistivity with respect to at least one of temperature and current.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2003Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: Hydro QuebecInventors: Julian Cave, André Hamel, Vijay Sood, Dan Watson, Wen Zhu
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Patent number: 7102868Abstract: An electrically conductive element for protecting electrical components positioned within a cable connector or cable terminator from high voltage surges includes a ring that is positioned in circumferentially surrounding relation to the input pin of the connector or terminator that carries the signal being transmitted by the coaxial cable. The ring includes at least one prong that extends radially inward therefrom which terminates in close but non-contacting relation to the input pin. When a high voltage surge of electricity is carried by the coaxial cable transmission line, a spark is formed in the gap between the prong and the cable connector or terminator. As a consequence, the high voltage surge is transferred to the surge protection element which in turn conducts the electricity to the grounded body of the connector or terminator.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2003Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates, Inc.Inventor: Noah Montena
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Patent number: 7099133Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor protection circuit for at least one sensor (6), especially in a motor vehicle electric system, comprising at least one supply line (3, 4) for supplying current to the sensor (6) and a current measuring unit (8) for detecting the electric current flowing through the supply line (3), in order to prevent damage to the sensor (6) as a result of excess voltage. Said current measuring unit (8) is connected to a current limiting device or to a switch element in order to limit the current or to disconnect the supply line (3).Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2003Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Thomas Maier
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Patent number: 7098554Abstract: A steering shaft locking device capable of performing a locking operation in an optimum manner. The steering shaft locking device includes a motor to which voltage is applied to generate a drive force. A locking bar is moved by the drive force of an actuator so as to engage the steering shaft. A steering shaft lock ECU connected to the motor performs a first control to move the locking bar to a lock position, at which the locking bar engages the steering shaft, and a second control to move the locking bar to an unlock position, at which the locking bar is disengaged from the steering shaft. A voltage control means controls the voltage applied to the motor during the first control such that the voltage is less than or equal to the voltage applied to the motor during the second control.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2004Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masaki Hayashi, Toshihiro Nagae, Tomoyuki Funayama, Tomoo Kakegawa, Takashi Yanatsubo
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Patent number: 7092230Abstract: The interference suppression filter and lightning current diverter device (1) comprises an inner conductor (3) and a housing (2) disposed approximately coaxially with it. At both ends of the housing (2) connectors (7, 8) are provided for the connection of coaxial lines. Coaxially with the inner conductor (3) is disposed in a hollow space (32) at least one pair of two lines (5, 6), which form a connection between inner conductor (3) and housing (2). The two lines (5, 6) are disposed parallel and spaced apart from one another, the directions of flow of the currents in the two lines (5, 6) being directed counter to one another. This configuration permits the improved diversion of interference pulses or interference signals to ground, and residual voltages and residual energies are largely eliminated.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2003Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: Huber & Suhner AGInventor: Marcel Inauen
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Patent number: 7085116Abstract: In an overload current protection device for cutting off power from a power supply to a load (3) such as a motor by means of a contactor (switch) (2) at overloading, an MI element having a magnetic impedance (MI) effect as current detectors (4a, 4b, and 4c) is installed at a position capable of detecting a current flowing through the secondary winding of power supply transformers (5a, 5b, and 5c) that generate a control power supply to thereby reduce costs without using a constant voltage power supply and expand a current detection range by eliminating magnetic saturation due to a core, a problem with a conventional current transformer, thereby providing at low costs a high-precision overload current protection device having a wide current detection range.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2002Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takahiro Kudo, Yujiro Kitaide, Kimitada Ishikawa
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Patent number: 7082023Abstract: In a method for function monitoring of an electronic-mechanical position switch in which the wiper voltage of a potentiometer acted upon by an actuation tappet is evaluated in comparison to a threshold value in order to activate or deactivate electronic contacts, during first or second test intervals a microcontroller interrupts watchdog signals or contact-closing control signals and checks the state of the switching contacts. If the expected state transition of the switching contacts from the closed into the open state does not occur, then the control signals make the transition to the contact-opening signal level or the watchdog signals are discontinued.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2004Date of Patent: July 25, 2006Assignee: Moeller GmbHInventors: Hans-Juergen Hoegener, Juergen Volberg, Guido Voellmar, Bernd Wolff
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Patent number: 7078643Abstract: A capacitor switch including a power contactor and an impedance contactor located within a relatively slender container filled with dielectric gas. The container may be a “dead tank” or an insulator. For the insulator configuration, the switch also includes a conductive cap housing a charging impedance located on the end of the insulator. The power contactor includes a relatively fixed probe contact and a linearly moving socket. The impedance contactor is ring-type butt contactor surrounding the penetrating contactor that includes a retracting (but otherwise fixed) contact that surrounds the fixed probe, and a traveling ring contact that surrounds and moves with the moving socket contact. The impedance contactor closes before the power contactor on the closing stroke to introduce the charging impedance into the circuit. A puffer mechanism retards the expansion of the retracting contact on the opening stroke, which causes the impedance contactor to open before the power contactor.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2003Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Inventors: Joseph R. Rostron, Neil McCord
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Patent number: 7075762Abstract: In order to enable overheat protection and overcurrent protection as well as temperature detection of an inverter circuit, an inverter circuit comprises a switching circuit 9 composed of a plurality of switching elements and a control circuit 1 for generating a control signal to be inputted into a drive circuit 2 to control a load, a temperature detecting element 12 for detecting a change in temperature of the inverter circuit is provided in a temperature detection circuit 10, and a temperature detection signal which changes according to a change in temperature of said inverter circuit, an overheat abnormal signal outputted upon a rise in temperature to a predetermined temperature or more, and an overcurrent abnormal signal outputted from an overcurrent protection FET 13 are outputted via one commonly used terminal.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2003Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Junichi Iimura, Katsumi Okawa, Yasuhiro Koike, Soichi Izutani
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Patent number: 7075767Abstract: A fault current limiting system includes switching means for providing a fast switching operation; a parallel current path comprising a limiting fuse; and a switching system to automatically replace a blown set of fuses with an unblown set of fuses after a fault current limiting operation has occurred. A method of limiting fault current includes providing a fast switching operation; providing a parallel current path comprising a limiting fuse; and automatically replacing a blown set of fuses with an unblown set of fuses after a fault current limiting operation has occurred.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2004Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: ABB Technology AGInventors: Carlo Gemme, Richard Tinggren, Karl-Heinz Hartung, Lars Liljestrand
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Patent number: 7072164Abstract: An electric parts drive circuit has: a first field-effect transistor including in parallel a first parasitic diode and provided between the plus line and an electric part; a second field-effect transistor including in parallel a second parasitic diode, the first and second field-effect transistors being connected in series in order from the plus line to the electric part; a third field-effect transistor including in parallel a third parasitic diode and provided between a minus line and the electric part; a failure diagnosis switch unit; and a switch control unit, wherein the switch control unit diagnoses a failure of the second field-effect transistor based on the voltage between the first and second field-effect transistors responsive to switching between conduction and shutoff of the second field-effect transistor in a state that the first and third field-effect transistors are shut off and the failure diagnosis switch unit is brought into conduction.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2003Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: Nissin Kogyo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Junichi Amada, Tomoharu Tuchiya
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Patent number: 7072158Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit is disclosed, which comprises a first common conductive line, a first diode, a P-type transistor and an N-type transistor. A cathode of the first diode is coupled to the first common conductive line, and an anode of the first diode is coupled to the first system voltage. A first S/D terminal and a gate terminal of the first P-type transistor is coupled to the first system voltage and a second S/D terminal of the first P-type transistor is coupled to the first pad. A first S/D terminal of the first N-type transistor is coupled to the first common conductive line, a gate terminal of the first N-type transistor is coupled to the first ground voltage, and a second S/D terminal of the first N-type transistor is coupled to the first pad. Therefore, the present invention can efficiently introduce the ESD pulse from a pad to a system voltage or another pad for protecting the internal circuit from damage.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2004Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: Sunplus Technology Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tai-Ho Wang
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Patent number: 7072165Abstract: The present invention is directed to a semiconductor processing apparatus and a method for clamping a semiconductor substrate and controlling a heat transfer associated therewith. According to one aspect of the present invention, a multi-polar electrostatic chuck and associated method is disclosed which provides a controlled and uniform heat transfer coefficient across a surface thereof. The multi-polar electrostatic chuck comprises a semiconductor platform having a plurality of protrusions that define gaps therebetween, wherein a distance or depth of the gaps is uniform and associated with a mean free path of the cooling gas therein. The electrostatic chuck is permits a control of a backside pressure of a cooling gas within the plurality of gaps to thus control a heat transfer coefficient of the cooling gas.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2003Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: Axcelis Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Peter L. Kellerman, Shu Qin, Douglas A. Brown
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Patent number: 7068485Abstract: A multi-output electric power source device has at least two channels for producing a constant voltage and a constant voltage from a single input voltage. Each channel is provided with a switching regulator in the input stages thereof and a series regulator in the next stage thereof. An over-heat detector circuit is provided in common for both channels. When the over-heating of either one of switching transistors in the channels is detected, the switching regulators turn off both switching transistors thereby to interrupt both output voltages from being supplied to an external circuit. When an over-voltage is detected, series regulators also interrupt the output voltages from being supplied to the external unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2003Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Denso CorpoprationInventors: Takanori Ishikawa, Toru Itabashi, Yukihide Niimi
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Patent number: 7067938Abstract: A vehicle-mounted electronic component security assembly for enabling and disabling the electronic components in a vehicle as desired. The vehicle-mounted electronic component security assembly includes a vehicle having a dashboard; and also includes a bracket being fastened to the dashboard; and further includes a lock switch assembly being securely mounted to the bracket; and also includes electronic circuitry being connected to the lock switch assembly and being adapted to be connected to electronic components in the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2003Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Inventor: John A. Young
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Patent number: 7068522Abstract: An electronic module is provided that includes a housing having electrically conductive top and bottom housing portions in substantial contact with each other and cooperating with each other to define an opening. A printed circuit board is disposed within the housing and includes an edge connector at least partially extending through the opening in the housing. The printed circuit board also defines a non-conductive through opening configured and arranged so that the housing portions contact each other by way of the through opening. In this way, the housing portions cooperate to subdivide the opening defined by the housing into at least two relatively smaller openings that, as a result of their relatively small size, facilitate containment of electromagnetic emissions generated by the electronic module.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2004Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Finisar CorporationInventors: Lewis B. Aronson, Donald A. Ice
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Patent number: 7064947Abstract: A device is easily connected to a utility panel of a building and includes signals to indicate improper operation in the electrical system of the building. The device further includes a system for dispersing an extinguishing agent into the utility panel box in the event a power surge is of sufficient magnitude.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2004Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Inventor: Darren Chisolm
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Patent number: 7061304Abstract: A fuse latch circuit with a current reference generator is described where the resistive switch point of the latch is stabilized against effects of manufacturing processing, operating voltage and temperature. A digital control word is used to select the desired resistive trip point of the fuse latch and compensation within the reference generator maintains this resistive trip point with high accuracy. The variable resistive trip point is set to a first value at test and then to a second value in use condition to enhance operating margin, and soft error immunity.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2004Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Darren L. Anand, John A. Fifield