Patents Examined by Scott Bauer
  • Patent number: 12051894
    Abstract: A DC voltage switch includes a semiconductor-based electronically controllable switching device, a sensor provided upstream of the switching device for determining the DC voltage bus-side voltage level, a sensor provided downstream of the switching device for determining the DC voltage branch-side voltage level, a current sensor for determining current level and direction, a control device designed such that the direction and level of the current are determined, the flow of current is interrupted by the switching device when a first threshold value of the current level is exceeded, and when the first threshold value of the current level is exceeded in the reverse direction: the DC voltage bus-side voltage level is compared with the DC voltage branch-side voltage level, and the switching device is switched on upon a voltage difference being less than a voltage difference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Beckert, Jens Weidauer
  • Patent number: 12046458
    Abstract: Disclosed are a multi-zone heating apparatus, a bottom electrode assembly, a plasma processing apparatus, and a temperature adjusting method, wherein the multi-zone heating apparatus includes: a plurality of foil heaters; a plurality of switches, each switch being connected with a foil heater to form a heating unit; two ends of the plurality of heating units are connected to a ground bus and a power supply bus, respectively; a plurality of driving wires, each driving wire being connected with a switch and configured to transmit a control signal of the duty cycle of the switch, the switches being configured to independently control the operating time of the connected foil heaters based on the control signal. The multi-zone heating apparatus can be integrated between the electrostatic chuck and the base in the plasma processing apparatus and can reduce use of external conductive wires, thereby reducing the demand for filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: ADVANCED MICRO-FABRICATION EQUIPMENT INC. CHINA
    Inventors: Sha Rin, Jie Du
  • Patent number: 12040605
    Abstract: A voltage transient detector includes circuitry for transmitting electrical current through a light emitting diode and a fuse that is serially connected between the light emitting diode and a reference potential, such that the light emitting diode is illuminated when the fuse is not blown. The voltage transient detector also includes circuitry for transmitting a controlled amount of electrical current through the fuse in conjunction with an occurrence of a voltage transient at a voltage measurement location, where the voltage transient exceeds a set transient threshold voltage. The controlled amount of electrical current transmitted through the fuse causing the fuse to blow and the light emitting diode to turn off, thereby indicating occurrence of the voltage transient at the voltage measurement location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: John Pease, John Drewery
  • Patent number: 12040148
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for operating a three-way switch. The system includes a user input. The system further includes a relay electrically coupled to a first traveler wire, a second traveler wire, and a LINE conductor, wherein the relay has a first position and a second position. The relay may be initially set to the first position. The system further includes a toroid having an aperture, wherein a sensing conductor passes through the aperture to generate a sensing voltage. The system further includes a controller configured to toggle the relay from the first position to the second position when (1) the user input is in the on-setting and he sensing voltage is less than a threshold value or (2) the user input is in the off-setting and the sensing voltage is greater than the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Pass &Seymour, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony M. Testani
  • Patent number: 12041708
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed subject matter generally relate to electrically grounding a user who may be working in an environment where static electricity might otherwise build up on the user and damage sensitive electronic devices being handled by the user. Embodiments include attaching an electrocardiogram (ECG) electrode to the user's skin and removably attaching the ECG electrode to an electrical conductor which may be detachably connected to a flexible base disposed on the outside of and under the user's shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Desco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Emilio Eisenhardt, Jeffry Brake, Roberto F. Garayo
  • Patent number: 12028984
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a double-sided circuit non-oxide-based ceramic substrate excellent in radiation property and low in cost, and a method for manufacturing the same. A double-sided circuit non-oxide-based ceramic substrate related to the present invention includes a high heat-conductive non-oxide-based ceramic substrate that includes a through hole, a holding layer that is formed on a wall surface of the through hole, and an electro-conductive metal section that is held inside the through hole by the holding layer and does not include an active metal. The double-sided circuit non-oxide-based ceramic substrate related to the present invention preferably includes electrodes (thin film electrodes) that shield end surfaces of the holding layer and end surfaces of the electro-conductive metal section which are exposed to front and back surfaces of the ceramic substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Hitachi Power Solutions Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Takemori, Satoshi Higashiyama, Toru Itagaki
  • Patent number: 12021077
    Abstract: Electrostatic discharge protection circuitry includes a transistor pass-gate coupled between potential source of electrostatic discharge-driven current (“ESD current”) and an input node of a circuit block is configured provide a sufficiently resistive current path between a first current terminal and a second current terminal of the pass gate such that, when an amount of charge sufficient to cause an ESD event accumulates at the potential ESD current source, a sufficient voltage drop occurs across the pass gate such that devices coupled to the input node of the circuit block are protected from experiencing a voltage drop across them that is above a predetermined threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: NXP, B.V.
    Inventors: Gijs Jan de Raad, Mikhail Yurievich Semenov, Yury Vladimirovich Alymov, Elena Valentinovna Somova
  • Patent number: 12009246
    Abstract: An electrostatic substrate holder for use in an extreme ultraviolet radiation lithography system includes a substrate receiving surface having a plurality of gas passages in fluid communication with a variable gas pressure pump. Varying the pressure in a void space between the backside of the substrate and the substrate receiving surface of the substrate holder promotes removal of non-gaseous materials within the void space between the backside of the substrate and the substrate receiving surface of the substrate holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Chi Tsai, Chueh-Chi Kuo
  • Patent number: 12009160
    Abstract: A monitoring method for an electrical energy transfer device which has a first phase conductor and a second phase conductor, includes the following steps: a temperature of the first phase conductor is compared with the temperature of the second phase conductor and a signaling is performed if there is a deviation between the temperatures. The electrical energy transfer device is, for this purpose, equipped at the first phase conductor with a first temperature sensor and at the second phase conductor with a second temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hendrik Andree, Matthias Heinecke, Thomas Lehmann, Benjamin Zaedow
  • Patent number: 12000424
    Abstract: An algorithm analyzes the motion of an object to determine if a switch needs to be activated or deactivated. Accelerometers measure forces exerted upon an object to determine orientation in pitch, roll, and yaw axes, and to determine motion of the object. When threshold conditions for these orientations and movements are measured, the method combines taking moving averages of pitch, roll, and yaw, and additionally accumulating an integral of yaw to determine if an activation or deactivation condition is met. Should an integral condition not be constantly met while the moving average conditions are being determined, the yaw integral counter resets and the whole process must begin again. This method balances most unintentional activation conditions with activation latency. Another methodology tracks the motion of a wrist flick, similar to casting a fishing line, using acceleration and deceleration parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Inventors: Matthew C. Prestwich, Benjamin N. DeMann
  • Patent number: 12002662
    Abstract: There is provided an electrostatic attraction device having an electrostatic chuck in which an electrode and a heater are embedded in a dielectric. The device comprises: a DC power source unit having a DC power source configured to supply a DC power to the electrode; a first neutralizing circuit connected to a power supply path between the DC power source and the electrode; and a second neutralizing circuit connected to a power supply path between the first neutralizing circuit and the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Takahiro Kawawa, Hideomi Hosaka
  • Patent number: 12002800
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first to fifth regions, first and second resistive loads. The first region is coupled to a first reference voltage terminal. The first to third regions operate as a first transistor. The fourth region is coupled to a second reference voltage terminal. The fourth to fifth regions operate as a second transistor. The first resistive load couples the second region to the second reference voltage terminal. The second resistive load couples the fifth region to the first reference voltage terminal. The first, third, second, fifth and fourth regions are arranged in order, each of the first, second and third regions corresponds to a first conductive type, and each of the fourth and fifth regions corresponds to a second conductive type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chien-Yao Huang
  • Patent number: 11996768
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a power converter operable to receive a cyclically varying input signal includes a discrete-time, on-time generator coupled to the power converter and configured to regulate an output voltage of the power converter and a controller configured to compare the output voltage of the power converter against a first predetermined range to: obtain a comparison result at a zero-crossing of the cyclically varying input signal and select one of a plurality of operation levels of the discrete-time, on-time generator in response to the comparison result. The plurality of operation levels includes a linear, discrete-time operation level and a nonlinear, discrete-time operation level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Anders Lind
  • Patent number: 11988715
    Abstract: A device for diagnosing a turn-short fault of an induction motor, the device including an induction motor; and a fault detecting unit to detect a current flowing in a supply line that supplies power to an input terminal of the induction motor and diagnose whether the induction motor has a fault, in which the fault detecting unit diagnoses whether the induction motor has the fault by applying a dynamic model. A method thereof is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Kyungpook National University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Bon-Gwan Gu, Seong Hwan Im
  • Patent number: 11990745
    Abstract: A surge protective device includes an overvoltage protection circuit and a control module coupled to the overvoltage protection circuit that is configured to monitor at least one performance characteristic of the overvoltage protection circuit and is further configured to communicate the at least one performance characteristic to a destination external to the surge protective device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: RAYCAP IP DEVELOPMENT LTD
    Inventors: Orestis Polychronakis, Matic Jezer{hacek over (s)}ek, Ivan {hacek over (Z)}ili{hacek over (c)}, Sebastjan Kamen{hacek over (s)}ek
  • Patent number: 11990743
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting a half-wave condition in an electrical appliance are disclosed herein. The method can include providing, by an electronic controller, an input signal to a triac circuit for controlling an electric motor, the triac circuit configured to control the electric motor, and receiving, by the electronic controller, a feedback signal from a feedback circuit indicative of an output of the triac circuit. The method can further include determining that the feedback signal indicates a half-wave condition is present, generating a shutdown signal for the electric motor, and providing the shutdown signal, by the electronic controller, to the triac circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Lee Hettinger
  • Patent number: 11984881
    Abstract: A thyristor circuit includes at least one branch including at least one thyristor, a thyristor control circuit and a current detector. The current detector is configured to detect a current value representative of an electrical current flowing through the thyristor and to input the detected current value into the thyristor control circuit. The thyristor control circuit is configured to determine a fault condition in which the detected current value exceeds a predetermined current threshold based on a deteriorated blocking ability of the thyristor. Dependent on the determination result, the thyristor control circuit triggers the thyristor into a conductive state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Raeto Stadler, Ralf Baechle
  • Patent number: 11984720
    Abstract: A protection circuit is disclosed. The protection circuit includes a direct current (DC) blocking component electrically connected between a neutral of the transformer and a ground, and an overvoltage protection device electrically connected in parallel with the DC blocking component. The overvoltage protection device is constructed to repeatably and reliably provide overvoltage protection in response to a voltage at the transformer neutral above a threshold. The DC blocking component has an impedance below a predetermined value, thereby effectively grounding the neutral of the transformer. The DC blocking component is persistently maintained in connection to the transformer neutral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: TechHold LLC
    Inventors: David Anderson, Greg Fuchs, Frederick R. Faxvog, George Anderson, Wallace Jensen
  • Patent number: 11973334
    Abstract: A power cord with leakage current detection and interruption (LCDI) function includes at least two power supply lines, at least two insulating layers respectively covering the at lease two power supply lines, at least two leakage current detection lines respectively disposed around the at least two insulating layers, including a first leakage current detection line and a second leakage current detection line, at least one connector line, electrically coupled to the first leakage current detection line and/or the second leakage current detection line, and at least one insulating structure, covering at least one of the at least two leakage current detection lines, to electrically insulate the first and second leakage current detection lines from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Inventor: Chengli Li
  • Patent number: 11973333
    Abstract: A method for determining phase locking of critical arc light includes: step 1: monitoring and collecting light radiation intensity of an arc inside a switch cabinet in real time, and converting the collected light radiation intensity into an electrical signal; step 2: extracting a power-frequency fundamental wave of the electrical signal, comparing an amplitude of the power-frequency fundamental wave of the electrical signal with a first threshold, and generating a pre-warning signal based on a comparison result of the first threshold; step 3: comparing the amplitude of the power-frequency fundamental wave of the electrical signal with a second threshold voltage, and generating a control signal based on a comparison result of the second threshold voltage and a protection time threshold; and step 4: protecting the switch cabinet under the critical arc light environment based on the pre-warning signal and the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Wuxi Power Supply Branch of State Grid Jiangsu Electric Power Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin Miao, Ping Chen, Yin Gu, Xi Wu, Jun Qin, Bin Fei, Junfeng Wu, Zhaoyun Leng, Ming Ren