Patents Examined by Stuart N. Hecker
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Patent number: 5672958Abstract: A feedback sensing system including a control circuit for detecting power failure of either power supply, and for controlling first and second switch circuits to modify the feedback sensing path of the other supply to the output load. In this manner, when one power supply fails, the feedback sensing path of the other power supply is rerouted to the output node to directly monitor and regulate the voltage across the load. Each switch circuit preferably operates to switch between two nodes along the respective output paths of the power supply, including a first node located before the current control device and a second node located between the current control device and the load. In one embodiment, each switch circuit includes two switches operated in a mutually-exclusive manner.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1995Date of Patent: September 30, 1997Assignee: Dell USA L.P.Inventors: Alan E. Brown, Nathan Wiscombe
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Patent number: 5671130Abstract: A method and apparatus for eliminating greater than twice over voltage by altering firing signals provided to a PWM inverter. The signals are altered by either limiting their maximum and minimum on-times or eliminating signal changes in a symmetrical fashion so that the overall fundamental component and magnitude of a resulting low frequency alternating voltage is substantially unaltered.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 1996Date of Patent: September 23, 1997Assignee: Allen-Bradley Company, Inc.Inventors: Russel J. Kerkman, David Leggate, Gary L. Skibinski
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Patent number: 5671127Abstract: Three-phase alternating-current electric energy supplied from a primary power supply is supplied to first and second six-phase transformer-coupled rectifying circuits which are connected in cascade to each other. The first six-phase transformer-coupled rectifying circuit comprises three primary windings connected in delta, and the second six-phase transformer-coupled rectifying circuit comprises three primary windings connected in star, for producing respective output voltages which are .pi./6 out of phase with each other. The first and second six-phase transformer-coupled rectifying circuits, which are connected in cascade to each other, jointly provide a twelve-phase rectifying circuit which produces a reduced harmonic or ripple current in its output energy as compared with a six-phase transformer-coupled rectifying circuit. The two six-phase transformer-coupled rectifying circuits share a voltage applied to the power supply device, and hence may have lower requirements for withstanding a breakdown voltage.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 1996Date of Patent: September 23, 1997Assignee: Ebara CorporationInventors: Akihiko Maezawa, Takeshi Yoshioka
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Patent number: 5671134Abstract: An inverter unit of the invention converts a DC current to a high frequency AC current. The inverter unit is formed of a metal conductor base plate connected to a positive terminal of a DC power supply; and switching elements arranged on both surfaces of the base plate. Each switching element situated on each surface of the base plate includes an upper arm and a lower arm of the inverter unit to form an arm pair. The arm pairs formed on both surfaces of the base plate constitute a single phase bridge circuit.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 1995Date of Patent: September 23, 1997Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshihiro Nomura, Kunihiko Karube, Masaaki Hisamoto, Koji Awatani
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Patent number: 5670867Abstract: A current sensing circuit has an output NMOS transistor, connected between an output node and a power supply terminal, for passing a load current of an output load, a pair of sensing NMOS and PMOS transistors connected, in series at a first node, between the output node and the power supply terminal, a control section for supplying a common gate voltage to the transistors, and a voltage detecting section for detecting the potential at the first node. When the output transistor and sensing NMOS transistor are on, the sensing PMOS transistor is off. Accordingly, substantially no current flows through the sensing transistors so that power consumption for sensing operation is reduced. The output transistor is a vertical MOSFET while the sensing transistors are horizontal MOSFET integrated in a semiconductor circuit.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 1996Date of Patent: September 23, 1997Assignee: NEC CorporationInventor: Tsuyoshi Mitsuda
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Patent number: 5668520Abstract: A transducer for a stringed instrument comprises a first uppermost coil and a second lowermost coil with the axes of the coils coincident. Permanent magnet pole pieces are arranged in the first coil and metallic non-magnetized pole pieces are arranged in the second coil. Oppositely directed U-shaped shields each having a web and outwardly directed opposed flanges are arranged back to back and receive the coils to shield the coils from each other both magnetically and inductively.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 1996Date of Patent: September 16, 1997Inventor: Christopher Ian Kinman
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Patent number: 5668705Abstract: A wide range single-phase/polyphase switching power supply is presented. The power supply comprises first and second full wave bridge circuits. The rectified outputs of the bridge circuits are connected to a preregulator circuit, i.e., a FET circuit, where the primary input voltage from bridge circuits is limited. The output of the preregulator circuit is presented to a filter circuit. A current mode controller circuit operates at a fixed frequency with a variable duty cycle. An output of the current mode controller circuit drives the gate of a switching FET, at the fixed frequency and variable duty cycle. The aforementioned filtered voltage signal and the drain of the switching FET are connected across a first winding on the primary side of a flyback transformer. A second winding on the primary side of the flyback transformer is connected across Vcc, the supply voltage of the current mode controller circuit.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1995Date of Patent: September 16, 1997Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Richard A. Balch, Raymond B. Ridley, David D. Elmore, Warren R. Germer
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Patent number: 5668357Abstract: A thin plate-like switch unit comprises a board having a plurality of contacts, and a sheet-like rubber contact member superposed on the board, the rubber contact member having convex switch portions for opening and closing the plurality of contacts, respectively. A side cover covers the switch unit fixedly mounted on a side surface of a seat portion. Windows are formed through the side cover, and the switch portions are exposed through these windows. Flanges are formed at peripheral edge portions of the windows, and projects outwardly beyond the switch portions. Preferably, the switch portions are arranged in corresponding relation to directions of movement of the seat.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 1996Date of Patent: September 16, 1997Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventors: Syuji Takiguchi, Hiroshi Ichikawa, Keizo Nishitani
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Patent number: 5665948Abstract: An automobile knob switch assembly comprising an operating lever 1 that has a shaft rod 1a. A terminal plate 2 is inserted into an opening part if of the operating lever 1. A movable plate 3 has a movable contact plate 13 that contacts the stationary contact plates 8 placed in the terminal plate 2, a through hole 3a through which a cylinder part 4a of a moderator 4 is inserted, and latching pieces 3b that are latched onto the moderator 4. The moderator 4 has an elastic claw 4c that is latched onto the shaft rod 1a. A knob 5 has a latching part 5b that is engaged to a latching piece 3e formed in the periphery of the movable plate 3. A second embodiment is disclosed that has two knobs for the rotary switch installed at the tip of the operating lever 15. The construction of the knob switch assembly permits the parts of the switch assembly to be automatically assembled with machines for mass production and reduced costs.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 1996Date of Patent: September 9, 1997Assignee: Niles Parts Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takahiro Oikawa
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Patent number: 5666099Abstract: A component, preferably with a large mass like an electro-mechanical solenoid (101), includes a lead structure (109) to electrically terminate a winding (105) of the solenoid (101). The lead structure (109) is both rigid and flexible. The rigid portion of the lead structure includes an elongated first member (111 ) with a first inner end (113) connected to the winding (105) of the solenoid (101) and a first outer end (115). The flexible portion of the lead structure includes an elongated electrically conductive member (117) with a second inner end (119) connected to the winding (105) of the solenoid (101) and a second outer end (121). The second outer end (121) of the elongated electrically conductive member (117) is coupled to the first outer end (115) of the elongated first member (111). Preferably, the elongated electrically conductive member (117) has a cross-section smaller than a cross-section of the elongated first member (111).Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 1996Date of Patent: September 9, 1997Inventor: Fred E. Ostrem
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Patent number: 5665945Abstract: A deadman switch (4) comprises a pressing plate (5), a shaft (7) provided at the pressing plate (5), a dog plate (6) fitted over the shaft (7), a plurality of bosses (34), a spacer (9) fitted over the shaft (7), a spring (8) provided at the shaft outer circumferential portion, and three-point type limit switches (41), (42) attached on a back plate (3) and such that when dogs (41a), (42a) are engaged with the dog plate (6) so that the limit switches are in free state, they are turned OFF, when the dog plate (6) slightly pushes the dogs (41a), (42a), the limit switches are turned ON, and when the dog plate (6) comes into contact with the spacer (9) to further deeply push the dogs (41a), (42a) against spring force of the spring (8), the limit switches are turned OFF. Since this portable controller is securely turned OFF even if operator tightly grips the portable controller in the panic state based on runaway, etc. of robot, an extremely safety portable controller for robot of the fail-safe type can be provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 1996Date of Patent: September 9, 1997Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa DenkiInventor: Mikio Oshima
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Patent number: 5663873Abstract: A half bridge power converter which employs a gapped transformer which permits stable asymmetrical operation without the use of a separate choke arranged in parallel with the primary of the transformer. The half bridge power convert may include a small capacitor on its secondary side to cause a high ripple of the output current thereby permitting stable asymmetrical operation with smaller magnetizing currents.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 1996Date of Patent: September 2, 1997Assignee: Electronic Measurements, Inc.Inventors: Pradeep Madhav Bhagwat, Chadd Dial Justo, Harry J. Britton, Hamid Kashani
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Patent number: 5662213Abstract: A trim switch for mounting in an opening in an outboard motor cowl is disclosed. The trim switch includes an outer housing which overlies a rocker assembly. The rocker assembly includes a rocker and a rocker support housing. The rocker support housing defines an interior region in which terminals and a terminal bridging contact are disposed. A cup-shaped waterproof boot overlies the rocker assembly and is sandwiched between the outer housing and the rocker assembly. The boot prevents water from leaking between the rocker and the rocker support housing and provides a positive seal between the outer housing the rocker assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 1996Date of Patent: September 2, 1997Assignee: Delta Systems, Inc.Inventors: David R. Kattler, Peter J. Trimble, Jr.
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Patent number: 5663634Abstract: A flyback converter using a commercially available voltage regulator with protection mode includes a bypass resistor between the input and output of the voltage regulator to drain charge from the input stage during powerup thereby preventing the regulator from locking in protection mode.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1996Date of Patent: September 2, 1997Assignee: 3COM CorporationInventors: Marwan Ahmad Fawal, Cameron Lyle Spitzer, Ryan Edgar Hirth
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Patent number: 5661445Abstract: A superconductive magnet assembly is disclosed. The superconductive magnet assembly includes a primary magnet formed of a coil of superconductive material, a magnet former supporting the primary coil, a plurality of gradient coils of superconductive material operative to produce field gradients during operation of the magnet, and a radiation shield within which the primary coil and the gradient coils are housed. The gradient coils are supported by the magnet former.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 1996Date of Patent: August 26, 1997Assignee: Hewlett-Packard CompanyInventors: John D. Larson, III, Jeremy A. Good
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Patent number: 5661644Abstract: A converter circuit has at least one switching device and a SiC diode arranged to be conducting when the device is turned off and reverse-biased when the device is turned on.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1995Date of Patent: August 26, 1997Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.Inventors: Karl Bergman, Bo Bijlenga, Willy Hermansson, Lennart Zdansky
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Patent number: 5661645Abstract: An apparatus (10) for supplying regulated voltage d.c. electrical power to an LED array (12) includes a rectifier (32) responsive to a.c. power for generating rectified d.c. power and a power factor correcting and voltage regulating buck/boost switchmode converter (38) responsive to the rectified d.c. power for generating regulated voltage d.c. power to illuminate the LED array (12). A battery backup system (62) receives the a.c. power applied to the rectifier (32) for charging a rechargeable battery (66) and sensing an a.c. power failure. A switch-over relay (82) is connected between the battery backup system (62) and the rectifier. Upon sensing a failure of the a.c. power, the battery backup system (62) controls the switch-over relay (82) to connect the battery backup system (62) to the rectifier (32) to provide d.c. power to the switchmode converter (38) to illuminate the LED array (12). A half wave power detector (88) causes the apparatus (10) to reduce regulated d.c. power to dim the LED array (12).Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 1996Date of Patent: August 26, 1997Inventor: Peter A. Hochstein
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Patent number: 5659464Abstract: A filter for a pulse width modulating inverter comprises a first inductor coupled to a phase connection of the pulse width modulating inverter, a second inductor coupled between the first inductor at a first-second coupling junction and a load, and a series configuration comprising a resistor and a capacitor coupled in series. The series configuration has one end coupled to the first-second coupling junction. If desired, the first inductor can be coupled between a phase connection of the pulse width modulating inverter and directly to the load, and the series configuration can have one end coupled to the load. The series configuration can further include a third inductor. Furthermore, the series configuration can be replaced by a parallel configuration comprising a resistor and a capacitor coupled in parallel, and the parallel configuration can further include a third inductor coupled in series to the resistor and the capacitor coupled in parallel.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 1996Date of Patent: August 19, 1997Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Albert Andreas Maria Esser
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Patent number: 5659161Abstract: In a rubber contact switch in which ends of lead lines of an LED extend to the rear surface of a printed board through holes of a rubber contact sheet to be soldered on the printed board, a recessed portion is formed in the peripheral portions of the holes on the rear surface of the rubber contact sheet, and heat generated by soldering of the lead lines is prevented from being directly transmitted to the rubber contact sheet.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1996Date of Patent: August 19, 1997Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventors: Daisuke Takanohashi, Keizo Nishitani, Masataka Nishijima, Tsuyoshi Oshima
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Patent number: 5657218Abstract: In a switch mode power supply which includes a transformer for DC isolation and a switching transistor, a control transistor which controls the switching transistor is switched on by an appropriate control voltage during the isolating phase until the collector voltage of the switching transistor has fallen to a minimum. The control transistor is preferably switched on during the isolating discharge time and the subsequent oscillation phase of the transformer.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 1995Date of Patent: August 12, 1997Assignee: Deutsche Thomson Brandt GmbHInventors: Gerard Rilly, Jose I. Rodriguez Duran, Markus Rehm