Patents Examined by Scott Bauer
  • Patent number: 12142423
    Abstract: The present invention accurately estimates the opening state of a solenoid valve using a feature amount based on driving current information of the solenoid valve. A solenoid valve abnormality detection device, which uses a driving current pattern associated with valve opening of a solenoid valve and detected by a current sensor to detect an abnormality of the solenoid valve, comprises: a feature amount extraction unit that determines a feature amount of a driving current pattern associated with valve opening of the solenoid valve within a predetermined detection period; a feature amount correction unit that estimates the valve temperature of the solenoid valve; and an opening state estimation unit that estimates the opening state of the solenoid valve using the feature amount value corrected by the feature amount correction unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Guangbin Zhou, Hiroshi Suzuki, Gorou Yoshida, Kazuhiro Tanaka
  • Patent number: 12139277
    Abstract: A system for generating magnetic fields in one or more axis, the system comprising a primary electromagnet comprising a first coil having a first axis wherein the first coil is formed of a superconductor, a cooling element configured to cool the first coil below the critical temperature of the superconductor, a power source configured to energise the primary and secondary and electromagnets, wherein the primary electromagnet comprises a frame member, and wherein the frame member is suspended from at least one bracket by a thermally insulating structural member and/or a thermally insulating spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Zenno Astronautics Limited
    Inventors: Janith Dulanjana Jayakody, Francis Thomas Moynihan Lavey, Maksim Arshavskiy
  • Patent number: 12128783
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for optimizing energy management of an electrical propulsion system of a vehicle, wherein the electrical propulsion system of the vehicle comprises an energy storage system and an electric machine. The electrical propulsion system further comprises at least one electrical component, wherein the electrical component has an idle state and an operation state. The method comprising the steps of: a) determining at least one parameter of the electrical component being in the operation state; b) inputting the parameter into a thermal model of the electrical component; c) predicting the temperature Tp of the electrical component being in operation state in real time on board the vehicle; d) comparing the predicted temperature value Tp with a predefined threshold value Tmax, and, e) automatically reducing the magnitude of the electrical current through the electrical component to a safe level if the predicted temperature value Tp exceeds the predefined threshold value Tmax.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ingemar Eckerström, Jörgen Johansson
  • Patent number: 12131890
    Abstract: An electrostatic chuck system for a plasma processing chamber is provided. A base plate comprising Al—SiC is provided. A ceramic plate is disposed over the base plate. A bonding layer bonds the ceramic plate to the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Ann Erickson, Darrell Ehrlich
  • Patent number: 12132306
    Abstract: Disclosed is a BRCT clamping absorption circuit with short circuit protection, which relates to the technical field of short-circuit protection, includes a load module, a short-circuit detection module, a short-circuit protection module, a spike absorption module, a rectifying module, a clamping module and a main control module, wherein, the spike absorption module is connected with the load module, the rectifying module is connected with the spike absorption module, and the clamping module is connected with the rectifying module to form a clamping absorption protection for a spike voltage; the main control module is connected with the short-circuit detection module, and is used for controlling the on-off of a load regulator according to the short-circuit signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: Shenzhen Hontech-Wins Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wencai Wei, Zhihua Zhang
  • Patent number: 12123684
    Abstract: A conducted electrical weapon (“CEW”) launches wire-tethered electrodes from one or more cartridges to provide a current through a human or animal target to impede locomotion of the target. The CEW may detect when the electrodes launched from the cartridges may provide the current through more than one target. The CEW may detect when electrodes launched from the cartridges may provide the current through the same target. The CEW may set the pulse rate of the current based on detecting the launch of electrodes from one or more cartridges, detecting that electrodes may provide the current through two or more targets, and/or detecting that two or more pairs of electrodes may deliver the current through the same target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Axon Enterprise, Inc.
    Inventors: Magne H. Nerheim, Steven N. D. Brundula, Stephen D. Handel
  • Patent number: 12123905
    Abstract: A system includes a generator. Three AC feeders are connected for feeding AC output from the generator. A rectifier is electrically connected to the three AC feeders and to a load via a first DC feeder and a second DC feeder. A first resistor connects between a the first DC feeder and ground. A second resistor connects between the second DC feeder and ground. At least one of a first current sensor is operatively connected to detect current in the first DC feeder and/or a second current sensor is operatively connected to detect current in the second DC feeder. A controller is configured to monitor for changes in common mode current based on the input from the at least one current sensor, and to determine presence of a fault if change in the common mode current exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Kyle Stephen Ives, Tom A. Utecht, Michael C. Harke
  • Patent number: 12113353
    Abstract: Described are system and method embodiments for establishing a weak ground path, comprising: disabling a first ground path for a shield pin of a cable connection interface, the first ground path including a first switch; enabling a second ground path for the shield pin, the second ground path comprises a second switch, and the second ground path having a higher resistance than the first ground path; determining a connection of a device to the cable connection interface with the second ground path; and enabling the first ground path based on the connection of the device being determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: MAXIM INTEGRATED PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Anurag Veerabathini, Punith Kumar Reddy Surkanti, Jan F. Swidzinski, Kevin John Schemansky
  • Patent number: 12113401
    Abstract: A discrete signal interlock system for activating an electric machine in an aircraft includes a first controller, a second controller, and a power source coupled via a single wiring harness bundle to a motor controller that is operatively connected to the electric machine. The motor controller includes a first circuit that is electrically coupled to a driver enabler of the motor controller, and a second circuit that is electrically coupled to a driver of the motor controller. The single wiring harness bundle encloses a first signal cable electrically coupling the first controller to the first circuit, a second signal cable electrically coupling the second controller to the second circuit, a first power cable electrically coupled to the first circuit, and a second power cable electrically coupled to the second circuit. Activation of the motor controller requires activation of the driver in concert with activation of the driver enabler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Frederic Lacaux, Kamiar J. Karimi, Eugene V. Solodovnik, Vyacheslav Khozikov
  • Patent number: 12106994
    Abstract: An electrostatic chuck includes: a disk-shaped ceramic plate having a wafer placement surface on a surface thereof; an electrostatic electrode embedded in the ceramic plate; and gas grooves that are divided in a plurality of zones when the ceramic plate is seen from above and each of which is independently provided in the wafer placement surface so as to extend from one to the other of a pair of gas supply/discharge openings for a corresponding one of the zones. A pattern in which a gas is supplied to each of the gas grooves provided for a corresponding one of the zones is selectable between a first pattern in which the gas flows from one to the other of the pair of gas supply/discharge openings and a second pattern in which the gas flows from the other to the one of the pair of gas supply/discharge openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Kuno
  • Patent number: 12105132
    Abstract: An electric field measuring apparatus includes an electrostatic chuck with a through hole and holding a wafer, a lift pin picking up the wafer, a driver vertically moving the lift pin along the through hole, a probe in the lift pin and having a refractive index changed by an electric field of the wafer, the probe including an electro-optical crystal, an optical waveguide forming at least one internal path of light having a polarization characteristic changed by the changed refractive index between the probe and the wafer, and a control module controlling the lift pin and the driver. The lift pin moves to first and second positions. The control module calculates a strength of the electric field of the wafer, using electric field data measured using the probe at each of the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jinyeong Yun, Meehyun Lim, Sungjin Kim, Masahiko Yamabe, Sungyeol Kim, Sungyong Lim, Sunghwi Cho
  • Patent number: 12100947
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are related to a device for electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection. In one aspect, a device includes an ESD detector to detect an ESD at a pad. In one aspect, the device includes P-type transistors and N-type transistors connected in series with each other. In one aspect, the drive circuit is configured to provide an output signal to the pad. In one aspect, the device includes a first protection circuit operating in a power domain. In one aspect, in response to the ESD detected by the ESD detector, the first protection circuit is configured to disable the P-type transistors. In one aspect, the device includes a second protection circuit operating in another power domain. In one aspect, in response to the ESD detected by the ESD detector, the second protection circuit is configured to disable the N-type transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Hui Chen, Chia-Jung Chang
  • Patent number: 12094306
    Abstract: Circuits integrated or integrable with a photovoltaic panel to provide built-in functionality to the photovoltaic panel including safety features such as arc detection and elimination, ground fault detection and elimination, reverse current protection, monitoring of the performance of the photovoltaic panel, transmission of the monitored parameters and theft prevention of the photovoltaic panel. The circuits may avoid power conversion, for instance DC/DC power conversion, may avoid performing maximum power tracking to include a minimum number of components and thereby increase overall reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Liron Har-Shai, Alon Zohar, Ilan Yoscovich, Yoav Galin, Lior Handelsman
  • Patent number: 12087610
    Abstract: A member for semiconductor manufacturing apparatus includes a ceramic plate that has an upper surface including a wafer placement surface and that contains an electrode; a plug insertion hole that is formed as at least a portion of a through-hole extending through the ceramic plate in an up-down direction, an internal thread portion being on an inner circumferential surface around the plug insertion hole; and an insulating plug that includes an external thread portion screwed on the internal thread portion on an outer circumferential surface and that allows gas to pass therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Kuno, Seiya Inoue
  • Patent number: 12081013
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides exemplary embodiments of voltage harvesting devices used in power distribution systems, and provides power distribution system architectures utilizing the voltage harvesting devices. Generally, the voltage harvesting devices transform distribution line AC voltages to produce a low wattage output for distribution system communication and control type devices. The voltage harvesting device can operate whether irrespective of the presence of load current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: HUBBELL INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Peter Michael Agliata, Archana Sadhanala
  • Patent number: 12081115
    Abstract: A semiconductor drive device includes a drive circuit that drives a semiconductor switching element, a passive element connected to a gate of the semiconductor switching element to prevent a gate current of the semiconductor switching element, a switching element connected in series to the passive element, a control circuit that controls the switching element, and a temperature detection circuit that detects a temperature of the semiconductor switching element. The control circuit controls the switching element such that when the temperature detected by the temperature detection circuit is high, the gate current is prevented more than when the temperature is low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yohei Mitsui, Yasutaka Imamura, Junichi Nakashima
  • Patent number: 12074427
    Abstract: An input sensor short-circuit inspection method including: setting an inspection frequency for detecting a short-circuit of an input sensor comprising a plurality of electrodes; driving the input sensor in an inspection mode at the set inspection frequency; and detecting the short-circuit of the input sensor based on a capacitance charged between adjacent electrodes among the plurality of electrodes of the input sensor in the inspection mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Hong Kim, Taejoon Kim, Jungmok Park, Hyun-Wook Cho, Jaewoo Choi
  • Patent number: 12074429
    Abstract: Electrical power distribution systems with a bypass unit that electrically engages one of two alternate units for powering a load while electrically isolating the other using a power transfer switch with first and second contactors and mechanical and electrical interlocks to allow a technician to access one of the alternate units when de-energized and in position while the other of the alternate units is energized and powering the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Robert A. Morris, Morris Len Roush, Jr., Matthew R. Hussey
  • Patent number: 12074052
    Abstract: A body of an electrostatic chuck comprises mesas disposed on a polished surface of the body. Each of the mesas comprises an adhesion layer disposed on the polished surface of the body, a transition layer disposed over the adhesion layer, and a coating layer disposed over the transition layer. The coating layer has a hardness of at least 14 GPa. The body further comprises a sidewall coating disposed over a sidewall of the body. A method for preparing the body comprises polishing the surface of the body and cleaning the polished surface. The method further comprises depositing the mesas by depositing the adhesion layer on the body, the transition layer over the adhesion layer, and the coating layer over the transition layer. Further, the method includes, polishing the mesas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell Glenn Boyd, Jr., Stanley Wu, Matthew Boyd
  • Patent number: 12066468
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and device for detecting system failure, a computer device, and a storage medium. The method includes obtaining, when a system to be detected is powered on or off, a real-time voltage oscillation signal acquired by a voltage sensor arranged in a detection circuits of the system. The detection circuit is a circuit where a source and drain of a switching device in the system are located. A degradation trend of the system is determined according to the real-time voltage oscillation signal and a reference voltage oscillation signal corresponding to the detection circuit of the system. A failure detection for the system is performed according to the degradation trend of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2024
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: CHINA ELECTRONIC PRODUCT RELIABILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING RESEARCH INSTITUTE ((THE FIFTH ELECTRONIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY ANBD INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (CEPREI))
    Inventors: Yiqiang Chen, Bo Hou, Yihang Lin, Dazhi Wang, Shuo Zhang, Haipin Wu