Patents Examined by Terrence Willoughby
  • Increasing the light-load efficiency of voltage regulators using nonlinear inductors with cores of different materials
    Patent number: 9281116
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a power supply for a portable electronic device. The power supply includes a power source and a nonlinear inductor. The nonlinear inductor includes a first core and a second core connected in series to the first core, wherein the second core has a higher permeability than the first core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kisun Lee, Mao Ye, Shimon Elkayam
  • High voltage direct current transmission and distribution system
    Patent number: 9270119
    Abstract: A direct current to alternating current inverter sub-system is for a HVDC distribution system. The DC to AC inverter sub-system includes an enclosure and a DC to DC galvanically isolated buck converter having a DC input electrically connectable to a HVDC cable and a DC output. A DC to AC inverter includes a DC input electrically connected to the DC output of the DC to DC galvanically isolated buck converter and an AC output electrically connectable to an AC transmission line. The DC to AC inverter is mounted in an enclosure with the DC to DC galvanically isolated buck converter, in order that the DC output of the DC to DC galvanically isolated buck converter is directly electrically connected within the enclosure to the DC input of the DC to AC inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Harry Broussard, Geraldo Nojima
  • Converter for an electrical circuit designed to supply electrical propulsion power on board a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 9248747
    Abstract: An electrical circuit for supplying electrical propulsion power on board a motor vehicle is disclosed. The electrical power is obtained from power delivered to the electrical circuit by a battery of the vehicle and converted by at least two cells. The circuit includes inductive elements connected to transistors for managing the current flowing in the inductive elements, and the inductive elements are coupled to form a magnetic circuit. The magnetic circuit is alternatively controlled according to a common mode in which an apparent inductance of the said magnetic circuit is of the order of magnitude of the sum of the inductances specific to each inductive element, or according to a differential mode in which the apparent inductance of the said magnetic circuit is of the order of magnitude of the leakage inductance of the coupling between the said coupled inductive elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Luis de Sousa, Mame Fall, Stephane Fontaine
  • Wireless power receiver and wireless power transferring method
    Patent number: 9246400
    Abstract: Disclosed is a wireless power receiver to transfer power wirelessly received from a wireless power transmitter to a load. The wireless power receiver includes a first reception induction coil coupled with a reception resonant coil to receive AC power; a first rectifying diode to rectify the AC power received through the first reception induction coil; a second reception induction coil connected to the first reception induction coil and coupled with the reception resonant coil to receive the AC power; and a second rectifying diode to rectify the AC power received through the second reception induction coil, wherein the wireless power receiver changes a transferring path of the power provided to the load according to a polarity variation of the AC power received through the first and second reception induction coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Su Ho Bae
  • Alternating current (AC) synchronization for load restoration
    Patent number: 9240706
    Abstract: Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are provided for synchronizing one or more direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) power sources (e.g., a DC power source coupled to an inverter) for restoration of power to a load. That is, responsive to a grid fault of a grid used to supply power to a load over a common bus, the common bus is isolated from the grid and the load. One or more DC to AC power sources are synchronized through synchronization circuits (e.g., voltage, phase, and/or frequency synchronization) until a total power supply provided by respective synchronized DC to AC power sources is greater than or equal to a target power used to supply the load. Once the target power is achieved, a load circuit breaker is closed so that respective synchronized DC to AC power sources provide power to the load over the common bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Shetul R. Patel, Marc Lambert, Francois-Pierre Pepin, Philippe Lautier, Kurt Rothermann, Armando Luigi Nold
  • Power switching arrangement
    Patent number: 9236728
    Abstract: A circuit protection system for a power panel is disclosed. The circuit protection system includes a transistor connected in a channel of a power panel, the transistor connected between return connections of a load and a return path, and the power panel including a plurality of channels connected to the load. The circuit protection system also includes control circuitry electrically connected in parallel with the transistor, the control circuitry configured to selectively activate the transistor to allow current to pass through the transistor based on an observed voltage across the transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Joseph C. Coffey
  • Method and system for voltage collapse protection
    Patent number: 9236752
    Abstract: Disclosed is battery charging circuit having a first detection circuit and a second detection circuit for detecting when to terminate an activated voltage collapse protection operation. The first detection circuit may be an analog design and the second detection circuit may include digital circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Nihit Bajaj, Cheong Kun, Baiying Yu, Hua Guan
  • Sourcing and securing dual supply rails of tamper protected battery backed domain
    Patent number: 9231409
    Abstract: This invention is a System On a Chip (SOC) requiring two tamper resistant externally generated power supplies. A first, higher power supply powers I/O and analog circuits. A second, lower power supply powers digital circuits and memory. A first voltage monitor circuit powered by said first power supply generates a first output signal when the first power supply is below an operational limit high level. A second voltage monitor circuit powered by said first power supply indicates when the second power supply is above an operational high limit level. A power switch is controlled by the first voltage monitor circuit. This power switch connects the second power supply and second load when closed and isolates them when open. Thus the memory cannot be accessed when the I/O and analog power supply is out of specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Erkan Bilhan
  • Device for feeding electricity to equipment, the device being incorporated in the floor of an aircraft cabin
    Patent number: 9221542
    Abstract: A device (50) for feeding electricity to equipment (3) of a vehicle (1), the device including a harness (5), a socket (6) electrically connected to said harness (5), and a plug (9) electrically connected to said equipment (3) and co-operating with said socket (6) to provide the electrical connection between said harness (5) and said equipment (3). The device (50) provides for said harness (5) to run in the thickness of a floor (2) of the vehicle (1), said socket (6) being embedded in the thickness of said floor (2) so that the top surface of said floor (2) does not present any projecting portion. The device (50) includes a movable protection cap (7) for opening and closing said socket (6), together with opening means (40) driven by mounting said equipment (3) on said floor (2), thereby causing said movable protection cap (7) to open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
    Inventors: Nicolas Imbert, Charles Chuc
  • Wind farm island operation
    Patent number: 9217418
    Abstract: A method and a system are described for island operation of at least two wind turbines associated with a wind farm, wherein said wind farm is configured for providing power generated by wind turbines in said wind farm to a main grid and wherein the method comprises: detecting at least two or more deactivated wind turbines in said wind farm, said deactivated wind turbines being disconnected from said main grid; configuring at least one islanded local grid for electrically connecting said two or more deactivated wind turbines; activating at least one of said deactivated wind turbine using a black start operation; and, connecting said at least one activated wind turbine and at least one of said deactivated wind turbines to said local grid, said activated wind turbine acting as a power supply for said at least one deactivated wind turbine connected to said local grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: XEMC Darwind B.V.
    Inventors: Florentius Joannes Bodewes, Franciscus Leonardus Hendricus Strik
  • Power supply system comprising a fuel cell
    Patent number: 9197099
    Abstract: A power supply system driving a load including a main power apparatus and a backup power apparatus is disclosed. The main power apparatus provides main power to the load according to city power. The backup power apparatus provides backup power to the load when the city power does not correspond to a first pre-determined condition and includes a recombination unit, a fuel cell unit, a transformation unit, and a control unit. The recombination unit recombines a methanol component to a hydrogen component. The fuel cell unit receives the hydrogen component to generate a first power. The transformation unit detects the city power and transforms the first power to generate the backup power. When the city power does not correspond to a first pre-determined condition, the control unit activates the reformer, the fuel cell unit, and the transformation unit to generate the backup power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Chung-Hsin Electric & Machinery Mfg. Corp.
    Inventors: Yi-Fan Wu, Ruiming Zhang, Chin-Hsien Cheng, Shuhai Quan, Rui Quan
  • Push-pull driver with stage inversion and method of operation
    Patent number: 9196418
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for amplifying a voltage in wireless power transmitters are disclosed. In one aspect, the transmitter comprises a first circuit configured to generate a first signal. The first signal comprises a non-inverted output. The transmitter further comprises a second circuit configured to generate a second signal in phase with the first signal. The second signal comprises an inverted output with respect to the non-inverted output. The first circuit and the second circuit are further configured to drive a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Ryan Tseng
  • Parallel linkage for generators
    Patent number: 9190848
    Abstract: Three or more portable generators are linked for synchronized operation. Power cables link each generator to a linkage box which connects the power in parallel and connects an outlet thereto. Communication cables link a software module in each generator with the linkage box. The modules vary the generator operation to generate a voltage amplitude and phase matching that of the first generator that is connected to the box that begins power generation, so that all generators share the load equally until their power output limits are reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Champion Power Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Kendall J. Collie
  • Universal power control device
    Patent number: 9184590
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an intelligent dimmer that is capable of “learning” the type of load it is controlling, and adjusts its operating parameters accordingly. The present invention can adaptively drive electrical loads over a wide range of wattages. The intelligent dimmer of the present invention is configured to automatically calibrate itself based on the load current demands of a particular electrical load. The intelligent dimmer of the present invention also adaptively limits in-rush currents to extend the life expectancy of the solid state switching components used therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Pass & Seymour, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Testani
  • Device and system for communicating on a supply line
    Patent number: 9172432
    Abstract: This system for coupling between a wire communication link exhibits a characteristic line impedance suitable for transporting a single signal simultaneously comprising an electrical power supply and data, and a control unit comprising an electrical power supply terminal and a data terminal, said system exhibiting an input impedance. This system comprises means for adapting the input impedance so as to match the characteristic line impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Alstom Transport Technologies
    Inventor: Jacques Orion
  • Demand response management system and method with VAR support
    Patent number: 9166408
    Abstract: A method for providing VAR support in a power distribution network having a demand response management system can include querying the demand response management system for an inductive device on the power distribution network and power cycling the inductive device to effect reactive power in the power distribution network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Joseph Schmid, Jason Wayne Black
  • Multi-function terminal of power supply controller for feedback signal input and over-temperature protection
    Patent number: 9142952
    Abstract: The present invention provides a control circuit having a multi-function terminal. The control circuit comprises a switching circuit, a sample-and-hold circuit, a detection circuit, and a comparator. The sample-and-hold circuit is coupled to the multi-function terminal for generating a sample voltage by sampling the feedback signal during a first period. The detection circuit is coupled to the multi-function terminal during a second period for generating a detection voltage. The comparator compares the detection voltage and the sample voltage for generating an over-temperature signal, wherein the over-temperature signal is couple to disable the switching signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: SYSTEM GENERAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ta-Yung Yang, Chao-Chih Lin
  • Multimode distribution systems and methods for providing power from power sources to power consuming devices
    Patent number: 9136707
    Abstract: Multimode distribution systems and methods are described. A multimode distribution system includes a first source interface for coupling to a first power source, a second source interface for coupling to a second power source, and a first selection device to be coupled via a first connection matrix and the first source interface with the first power source to provide main power to one or more power consumption devices. The multimode distribution system includes a second selection device to be coupled via a second connection matrix and the first source interface with the first power source to provide main power to one or more additional power consumption devices. The second selection device is to be coupled via the second connection matrix and the second source interface with the second power source to provide alternative power to the additional power consumption devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Mozan Totani, Jesus Lalo Suarez, Barry C. Bianculli, Thomas Trevino, Bob Lytle, Norman Holt
  • Smart meter, supply control method, operating method, integrated circuit, system, and program
    Patent number: 9130411
    Abstract: A smart meter includes: a power supply control unit which causes stoppage of a supply of power passing through the smart meter to an television and so on, when an RD command to stop the supply is received; a first communication unit which performs a first communication through which the RD command is received; a second communication unit which performs a second communication; and a communication control unit which: causes the performance of the first communication before the RD command is received; and prohibit the performance of the first communication and cause only the performance of the second communication, after the RD command is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideki Matsushima, Natsume Matsuzaki, Tomoyuki Haga
  • Detecting islanding conditions in power networks
    Patent number: 9124127
    Abstract: A method is provided for detecting islanding conditions in an electric power network which includes a plurality of sub-networks. The sub-networks include at least one power electrical unit and are separable from each other and a main grid supplying the network by switching devices. The method includes determining topological information of at least one sub-network of interest, detecting islanding conditions in at least one sub-network of interest on the basis of the topological information by using separate detecting devices for each sub-network of interest, and sending, on the basis of the islanding conditions detected by using the detecting devices, a disconnect signal to at least one power electrical unit in at least one sub-network of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: ABB RESEARCH LTD.
    Inventors: Adrian Timbus, Alexandre Oudalov, Mats Larsson, Cherry Yuen