Patents Examined by Robert DeBeradinis
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Patent number: 9774370Abstract: An apparatus is provided for data communication over power lines in a PLC system. The apparatus includes a data-coupling circuit configured to provide data to the power lines for transmission. The data-coupling circuit includes a DC-isolation circuit configured to isolate circuitry of the data-coupling circuit from the power lines. The apparatus also includes a feedback circuit connected to the DC-isolation circuit. The feedback circuit has a power-tap circuit on an endpoint side of the feedback circuit. The power-tap circuit is configured to indicate/estimate of an amount of power, current, and/or voltage provided from the data-coupling circuit through the DC-isolation circuit and to the power lines. Based on the feedback the signal, the strength of a transmitted may be adjusted (e.g., to maintain constant signal strength).Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2016Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: Landis+Gyr Technologies, LLCInventor: Damian Bonicatto
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Patent number: 9767968Abstract: A method is provided which protects persons in the vicinity of a high frequency (HF) field-emitting device, in particular a European train control system (ETCS) antenna of a rail vehicle. In order to be able to reliably protect persons from radiation that is detrimental to one's health, the device is held in or switched to an OFF state by an uplink for a limited period of time, the ON/OFF state being optically and/or acoustically signaled.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2014Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Jens Braband, Hendrik Ibendorf, Olaf Richter
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Patent number: 9764727Abstract: An electric drive-train for a ship includes a first generator having a rotatable shaft structured to be driven by a first prime mover and an output providing a voltage; a second generator having a rotatable shaft structured to be driven by a second prime mover and an output providing a voltage; an electric machine including a rotatable shaft structured to drive a propeller; a first power electronic converter electrically interconnected with the output of the first generator and structured to power the electric machine; and a second power electronic converter electrically interconnected with the output of the second generator and structured to power the electric machine. A support structure replaces a reduction gear box and supports the first generator, the second generator, the electric machine, the first power electronic converter, and the second power electronic converter.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2011Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: GE Energy Power Conversion Technology LimitedInventors: Nicholas D. Benavides, Nicholas S. Smith
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Patent number: 9762063Abstract: A method of configuring an installed energy harvesting device to comply with a local grid connection standard is provided. The method identifies a local grid connection standard for an energy harvesting device that has been installed in a physical installation. The method then configures the energy harvesting device to apply the identified grid connection standard. To identify the local gird connection standard, the method determines a physical location for the installation of the energy harvesting device. The method then identifies the local grid connection standard based on the determined physical location.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2016Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: SOLARCITY CORPORATIONInventor: Asim Mumtaz
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Patent number: 9755540Abstract: A voltage conversion apparatus for providing power anywhere within, for example, a retail store environment is provided. The voltage conversion apparatus includes a mounting structure that can mount the apparatus near a ceiling of the retail store environment. Also, the voltage conversion apparatus includes a voltage converter for converting voltage from an existing high voltage power source. The voltage conversion apparatus is configured to connect to the existing high voltage power source, convert the voltage from the power source and deliver the converted voltage to any location within the retail store environment. The voltage conversion apparatus is also configured to be modular and can be quickly, easily and safely mounted to different locations of the retail store environment as needed.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: Target Brands Inc.Inventors: Gary Nation, Doyle Trankel
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Patent number: 9755457Abstract: Provided is an uninterruptible power supply apparatus that can properly adjust the capacity of cooling a heat radiation source. A housing for housing an uninterruptible power module is provided with a cooling fan for cooling the internal space of the housing. The housing is further formed with an opening. The opening formed in one housing and the opening formed in an adjacent housing for housing another uninterruptible power module are configured to face each other. Furthermore, each uninterruptible power module includes a fan control circuit for controlling the cooling fan. The fan control circuit controls the actuation and suspension of the cooling fan on the basis of a total load of the plurality of uninterruptible power modules.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Tingan Lee, Masaru Toyoda, Hiroshi Masunaga
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Patent number: 9755531Abstract: A printed circuit board of a power supply has a multi-tap voltage attenuator mounted thereon that may provide a selectable plurality of attenuated voltages based on a received voltage. A power supply may include two or more of the same printed circuit boards to attenuate different input and output power supply voltages to one or more desired lower voltages. The attenuated voltages may be input to, e.g., a controller of the power supply to monitor and, when necessary, adjust one or more parameters of the output power supply voltage. The selectable plurality of attenuated voltages allows substantially identical printed circuit boards to be used in the same and/or different power supplies for attenuating different voltages. Methods of assembling power supplies are also provided, as are other aspects.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2014Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventor: Edward Alan Cheesman
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Patent number: 9748799Abstract: Embodiments of the present inventive concept provide an external battery module (EBM) including a communication server board (CSB) slot configured to receive a CSB, wherein the EBM operates regardless of whether the CSB is positioned in the CSB slot; and a battery charger slot configured to receive a battery charger, wherein the EBM operates regardless of whether the battery charger is positioned in the battery charger slot.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2015Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Pradeep Kumar Nandam, David Glenn Miller
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Patent number: 9748772Abstract: A solar power plant including a power conversion system and a method of controlling the power conversion system. Implemented in a DC/AC inverter, the plant includes photovoltaic modules (PV modules) arranged in arrays connected to a respective DC/DC converters. A power collecting grid interfaces between the DC/DC converters and the DC/AC inverter. The method includes monitoring the performance of each PV array by adjusting the voltage level of each interface between a PV array and the corresponding DC/DC converter, and includes monitoring the output power of each DC/DC converter as a feedback for the regulating.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2013Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: ABB Schweiz AGInventors: Panagiotis Bakas, Sara Ahmed, Michal Lazarczyk, Radoslaw Nalepa, Antonis Marinopoulos, Dimitrios Doukas, Jyoti Sastry
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Patent number: 9744858Abstract: Described herein are improved capabilities for a system and method for wireless energy distribution to a mechanically removable vehicle seat, comprising a source resonator coupled to an energy source of a vehicle, the source resonator positioned proximate to the mechanically removable vehicle seat, the source resonator generating an oscillating magnetic field with a resonant frequency and comprising a high-conductivity material adapted and located between the source resonator and a vehicle surface to direct the oscillating magnetic field away from the vehicle surface, and a receiving resonator integrated into the mechanically removable vehicle seat, the receiving resonator having a resonant frequency similar to that of the source resonator, and receiving wireless energy from the source resonator, and providing power to electrical components integrated with the mechanically removable vehicle seat.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2016Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: WiTricity CorporationInventors: Katherine L. Hall, Konrad J. Kulikowski, Morris P. Kesler, Andre B. Kurs, Steven J. Ganem, David A. Schatz, Eric R. Giler
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Patent number: 9738174Abstract: A lithium battery system includes a first battery pack including a plurality of first battery cells connected in series. The first battery pack is configured to be connected in parallel to an alternator and a second battery pack, and has a lower capacity than the second battery pack. A negative electrode of each of the first battery cells includes a negative electrode active material. The negative electrode active material includes a carbon-based material having an interlayer spacing of a (002) plane of 0.34 nm to 0.50 nm in X-ray diffraction measurement using copper (Cu) K? lines.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2014Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jae-Sung Gu, Eui-Hwan Song, Ji-Hong Lim, Seok-Gyun Woo, Woon-Sun Rheu
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Patent number: 9742187Abstract: A power supply circuit includes a protection circuit interconnected with an input voltage to the power supply. The protection circuit includes a detection circuit to detect whether a magnitude of the input voltage is below a defined threshold. The detection circuit comprises a plurality of detectors, each for detecting for a defined voltage waveform, whether its magnitude is below a defined threshold voltage. Logic interconnects the detection circuit to provide a control signal for inhibiting the power supply from providing said output voltage if the input voltage is below the defined threshold for that defined voltage waveform, as detected by the detection circuit.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2015Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: Siemens Canada LimitedInventor: Salim Solomon
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Patent number: 9742198Abstract: A redundant path power subsystem comprises a plurality of phase regulators in a multi-phase power converter. The plurality of phase regulators comprises at least N+2 phase regulators. N phases are sufficient to serve an electrical load coupled with the redundant path power subsystem. The redundant path power subsystem also comprises a plurality of power supplies, and a plurality of input and control paths between the plurality of power supplies and the plurality of phase regulators. The plurality of input and control paths comprises a plurality of multiplexing logic devices and a plurality of phase controllers. The plurality of phase controllers is configured to control the plurality of phase regulators. The plurality of multiplexing logic devices is configured to multiplex control signals from the plurality of power supplies and a microprocessor for the plurality of phase controllers.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2016Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Daniel J. Barus, Kevin R. Covi, William P. Kostenko, Jack P. Lee, Peter A. Wendling
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Patent number: 9740270Abstract: An electronic device includes: an operation section, a reception section, a human body detection sensor, and a mode switching section. The mode switching section switches the electronic device between a normal operation mode permitting a normal operation and a sleep mode in a power saving state based on presence or absence of a detection signal from the human body detection sensor. Then the mode switching section stops in a case where a state in which the reception section receives an operation made by use of the operation section continues for a predefined period of time the switching between the normal operation mode and the sleep mode based on the presence or absence of the detection signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2015Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.Inventor: Taro Kurahashi
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Patent number: 9742473Abstract: An apparatus and method of using near field communication (NFC) and wireless power transmission (WPT) are provided. A power receiving apparatus includes a resonator configured to receive a power and to output the power. The power receiving apparatus further includes a near field communication (NFC) receiver configured to perform wireless communication using the power output by the resonator. The power receiving apparatus further includes a wireless power transmission (WPT) receiver configured to supply a voltage using the power output by the resonator. The power receiving apparatus further includes a connecting unit configured to selectively connect the resonator to either the NFC receiver or the WPT receiver. The power receiving apparatus further includes a mode selector configured to control the connecting unit to selectively connect the resonator to either the NFC receiver or the WPT receiver based on the power output by the resonator.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2015Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Dong Zo Kim, Sang Wook Kwon, Ki Young Kim, Nam Yun Kim, Yun Kwon Park, Eun Seok Park, Young Ho Ryu, Chang Wook Yoon, Jin Sung Choi, Young-tack Hong
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Patent number: 9736594Abstract: Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) electret acoustic sensors or microphones, devices, systems, and methods are described. Exemplary embodiments employ electret comprising an inorganic dielectric material such as silicon nitride in MEMS electret acoustic sensors or microphones. Provided implementations include variations in electret acoustic sensor or microphone configuration and recharging of the electret.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2014Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: INVENSENSE, INC.Inventors: Aleksey S. Khenkin, Mike Daneman
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Patent number: 9731615Abstract: A system and method for managing a demand response (DR) event requests divides a geographic region into a plurality of units, wherein each unit is associated with a specific utility provider; issues a DR event request from the specific utility provider for at least one particular unit of the plurality of units; determines which of a plurality of vehicles are in the at least one particular unit; determines a subset of the plurality of vehicles that meet qualifying criteria of the DR event request; and sends a vehicle to grid (V2G) request to the subset of the plurality of vehicles to participate in the DR event request.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2015Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Robert Uyeki, Christine O Nguyen
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Patent number: 9729013Abstract: A wireless power transmission system, and a method for controlling wireless power transmission and wireless power reception are provided. According to an aspect, a method for controlling a wireless power transmission may include: detecting a plurality of target devices used to wirelessly receive power; selecting a source resonating unit from among a plurality of source resonating units, based on the amount of power to be transmitted to one or more of the plurality of target devices, a coupling factor associated with one or more of the plurality of target devices, or both; and wirelessly transmitting power to a target device using the selected source resonating unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2015Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Nam Yun Kim, Sang Wook Kwon, Yun Kwon Park
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Patent number: 9729015Abstract: Body-worn wireless electronic devices may be powered by one or more wireless power sources. These wireless power sources may comprise body-worn wireless power sources and non body-worn wireless power sources. The sources are detected by the electronic device and are either prioritized based on being body-worn or non body-worn. The selection of sources for powering the electronic device(s) may alternatively be made based on predetermined parameters associated with the power sources. Optimal power transfer is thus obtained for the electronic devices while being worn.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2015Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventors: Dipti V. Desai, John E. Herrmann
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Patent number: 9728978Abstract: A system includes a solar power subsystem that receives power from one or more solar power arrays. A storage control subsystem is coupled to the solar power subsystem to charge a battery from the power received by the solar power subsystem. A grid power control subsystem having an AC to DC converter receives power from a power grid and provides DC voltage to the storage control subsystem. A balance of system control system controls the amount of power received from the power grid as a function of a load, battery charge and received power by the solar power subsystem. The solar array and battery may be sized to provide sufficient power under normal operating conditions, with power being drawn from the grid during abnormal operation conditions.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2014Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Noribachi CorporationInventors: Rhonda Dibachi, Farzad Dibachi