Patents Examined by Vincent Q. Nguyen
-
Patent number: 10330732Abstract: A system and method for monitoring characteristics of an electric energy device includes generating an external short from the electric energy device. The external short occurs at a known distance from a sensor and has at least one known external resistance. The received signal representing change in electromagnetic field due to the applied external short may be analyzed to determine a signal parameter that is then analyzed in comparison to a lookup table, based on the known conditions including distance, temperature and the external resistance. The output of this analyses in comparison with expected values may be utilized to identify a characteristic of the energy device.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2016Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Farshid Roumi, Mahshid Roumi
-
Patent number: 10333162Abstract: Systems and methods for testing a fuel cell stack include a vacuum source, a test head including at least one isolated vacuum plenum configured to be positioned in fluid communication with a first portion of the fuel cell stack, the isolated vacuum plenum in fluid communication with the vacuum source, and a detector in fluid communication with the at least one isolated vacuum plenum for detecting the presence of a particular constituent of a fluid provided in a second portion of the fuel cell stack, where the second portion of the fuel cell stack is separated from the first portion of the fuel cell stack by at least one of an electrolyte and a fuel cell seal.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2016Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: Jerome A. Mack, Jonathan Cerrona, John Fisher, James Wilson, Tad Armstrong, Harald Herchen
-
Patent number: 10330719Abstract: A sensor device includes at least two transducers, a sensor signal processing circuit, and a transducer to sensor signal processing circuit electrical connections, each connecting a respective one of the transducers to the sensor signal processing circuit. The device also includes a differential amplifier connected with two bond wires, the bond wires connected to the differential inputs of the differential amplifier and the amplifier output connected to the sensor signal processing circuit.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2014Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: SILICON SENSING SYSTEMS LIMITEDInventors: Michael Terence Durston, Douglas Robert Sitch
-
Patent number: 10330620Abstract: A detection device includes: a frequency property acquisition unit that acquires a frequency property when an alternating-current signal is input to at least two conductive bodies provided on a fiber sheet; and a detection signal output unit that outputs a detection signal when the frequency property acquisition unit acquires a predetermined frequency property.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2015Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: SCHOOL JURIDICAL PERSON KITASATO INSTITUTEInventor: Satoru Nebuya
-
Patent number: 10323957Abstract: A discrete-time high voltage generating circuitry is described, configured to provide a discrete-time high voltage at a high voltage output only during defined high voltage periods. The discrete-time high voltage generating circuitry includes a current mirror circuitry configured to receive a supply current from a high voltage source and to provide a slew current. The discrete-time high voltage generating circuitry is configured to generate the discrete-time high voltage using the slew current. Further, a method to operate a discrete-time high voltage generating circuitry is described. The circuitry and method may be used to provide a discrete-time self-test bias voltage to at least one capacitive load such as a capacitive MEMS element.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2016Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventor: Lasse Aaltonen
-
Patent number: 10324110Abstract: A probe cover which is to be attached to a socket that is configured to support a plurality of contact probes, includes: a base; two positioning pins which are disposed on the base; and at least one supporting member which is disposed on the base. The two positioning pins and the supporting member are capable of positioning the base in a state where the base is separated from the socket by a predetermined distance, and a mutual separation distance between the two positioning pins is changeable.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2015Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: Yokowo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takahiro Nagata, Yoshiji Miyashita, Katsuo Miki, Kazumi Ookawara, Isao Samata
-
Patent number: 10324213Abstract: A capacitive proximity sensor may include a proximity sensing capacitor to provide a voltage output based on a voltage input, the capacitor including a ground plane and an electrode loop capacitively coupled to the ground plane. The proximity sensor may include a processor to detect an object proximity based on a change in the voltage output. This proximity sensor provides automated detection of a person, and thereby reduces the need for a vehicle occupant or child caregiver to activate a sensor by pressing a button. The use of a capacitance-based proximity sensor reduces issues associated with fabric, clothing, or other materials separating the proximity sensor from a person.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2016Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Marcie M. Miller, Roderick E. Kronschnabel, Matthew J. Schneider, Rene J. Sanchez, Christopher L. Ross, Ryan R. Carnaghi, Keith A. Swesey, Kevin Edwards, Steven W. Whitehorn, Cecilia Yancy, Thomas V. Moss
-
Patent number: 10320216Abstract: A battery assembly includes a battery having first and second electrodes and an electrolyte. A controller is operatively connected to the battery. The controller includes a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded instructions for executing a method for estimating a charge acceptance capability of the battery. Interaction of the electrolyte and at least one of the first and second electrodes produces a discharge product. The controller is programmed to quantize and track both accumulation and removal of the discharge product when at least one enabling condition is met. The controller is programmed to initialize a timer when the enabling condition is met and increment the timer by a calculation time interval (?t).Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2016Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC.Inventors: Brian J. Koch, Robert S. Conell
-
Patent number: 10317187Abstract: Methods for determining performance information for an object located within an area include obtaining magnetic field information for the area, measuring first magnetic field data when the object is located at a first position within the area, and determining performance information for the object within the area based on the magnetic field information for the area and the first magnetic field data.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2016Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: adidas AGInventor: Aurel Coza
-
Patent number: 10317456Abstract: Spike safe floating current and voltage source (VI) containing a forced voltage amplifier in series with a selectable resistor. A method of providing a VI with forced current testing mode using a forced voltage amplifier in series with a selectable resistor. A method of providing a VI with forced voltage testing mode using a forced voltage amplifier in series with a selectable resistor. A method of measuring the on resistance of a device under test using a VI with a forced voltage amplifier in series with a selectable resistor. A method of measuring the breakdown of an input/output junction of a device under test using a VI with a forced voltage amplifier in series with a selectable resistor.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2016Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventor: Ramana Tadepalli
-
Patent number: 10317331Abstract: Systems and methods for detection of pipe characteristics, such as defect detection of downhole tubulars and overall thickness estimation of downhole tubulars (e.g., pipes such as casing and/or production tubing).Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2016Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Baris Guner, Burkay Donderici, Ilker R. Capoglu
-
Patent number: 10309131Abstract: The resonance frequency of an LCR resonance circuit is f1 and the determination voltage signal is V1, when an object is not in the proximity of a sensor electrode. The resonance frequency of the LCR resonance circuit is f2 and the determination voltage signal is V2, when a human body is in proximity of the sensor electrode 22. The resonance frequency of the LCR resonance circuit is f3 and the determination voltage signal is V3, when water is in the proximity of the sensor electrode. The LCR resonance circuit has the relationship f1>f2>f3. A control unit controls a high-frequency signal S0 so as to satisfy the relationship V2>V1>V3, and a human body or water being in the proximity of the sensor electrode is distinguished.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2017Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: Tokyo Parts Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventor: Mamoru Kubo
-
Patent number: 10310001Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a short-circuit sensor for detecting a short-circuit current in an electrical line. The short-circuit sensor includes an integrator, a coupling device, and a detection device. The coupling device is configured to inductively couple the integrator to the electrical line and to supply an induced signal to the integrator. The integrator is configured to integrate the induced signal to obtain an integrated signal. The detection device is configured to compare an amplitude value of the integrated signal with a prescribed threshold value and to detect the short-circuit current if the amplitude value of the integrated signal exceeds the prescribed threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2015Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Elmar Schaper, Peter Scholz
-
Patent number: 10302456Abstract: Various embodiments include a position sensor configuration that compensates for a bias field offset. The position sensor configuration may be used for position sensing of components, such as camera components, that are movable via an actuator (e.g., a voice coil motor actuator). In some embodiments, the actuator may include an asymmetric magnet arrangement that produces an asymmetric magnetic field. The asymmetric magnetic field may include one or more bias field components that are offset relative to one or more axes. In some examples, the position sensor configuration may include one or more magnetic field sensor packages. Individual ones of the magnetic field sensor packages may include a magnetic field sensor and one or more compensation magnets. The compensation magnets may be configured to contribute to one or more compensation magnetic fields that counteract the bias field components such that the compensation magnetic fields compensate for the bias field offset.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2017Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Hyuk J. Choi, Jeffrey N. Gleason, Yonghua Zhao
-
Patent number: 10302704Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting a state of charge (SoC) of a battery includes estimating an open circuit voltage of the battery based on an open current voltage model, where the open current voltage model is defined by internal parameters that are derived from a battery voltage of the battery, a load current of the battery for a load, or a first SoC of the battery, or any combination thereof; and predicting a second SoC based on the estimated open current voltage.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2016Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Krishnan S Hariharan, Priya Gambhire, Tae Won Song
-
Patent number: 10298049Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a presence of an object is provided. The apparatus includes an inductive sensing coil that is configurable to generate a magnetic field, the inductive sensing coil configured to have an electrical characteristic that is detectable when generating the magnetic field. The apparatus includes an actuator configured to inducing relative motion between the inductive sensing coil and the object while the inductive sensing coil generates the magnetic field. The apparatus includes a controller configured to detect a change in the electrical characteristic, and determine a presence of the object based on the change in the electrical characteristic correlating with the relative motion between the inductive sensing coil and the object. The electrical characteristic includes one or more of an equivalent resistance, an equivalent inductance, an equivalent impedance, and an impulse response of the inductive sensing coil.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2016Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: WiTricity CorporationInventors: Hans Peter Widmer, Andreas Daetwyler, Lukas Sieber
-
Patent number: 10288448Abstract: A displacement sensor includes first detection units that detect an amount of displacement of a same detection target, and are disposed such that detection surfaces for detecting the amount of displacement face each other; second detection units that detect an amount of displacement of the detection target which is the same as the detection target of the first detection units, and are disposed such that detection surfaces for detecting the amount of displacement face each other; and a lead frame including a main frame having one surface on which the first detection units are disposed and the other surface on which the second detection units are disposed, and a sub frame which is wire-bonded to electrodes provided on each detection surface of the first detection units and the pair of second detection units.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2017Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Minoru Shinohara
-
Patent number: 10288669Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of testing an integrated circuit, includes receiving a supply voltage on the integrated circuit via a first input pin, providing power to circuits disposed on the integrated circuit via the first input pin, comparing the supply voltage to an internally generated voltage, generating a digital output value based on the comparing, and applying the digital output value to a pin of the integrated circuit.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2017Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AGInventors: Nikolay Ilkov, Winfried Bakalski
-
Patent number: 10288598Abstract: An electrostatic capacitance detection device includes: an electrostatic capacitance sensor; and a control device that controls the electrostatic capacitance sensor, wherein the control device has a plurality of detection modes for detecting a capacitance change amount corresponding to a change amount of electrostatic capacitance of the electrostatic capacitance sensor, detects the capacitance change amount in each of the plurality of detection modes, and determines presence or absence of contact or approach of an object to the electrostatic capacitance sensor based on the capacitance change amount.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2016Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Takaaki Koizumi, Takehiro Tabata
-
Techniques and circuits for on-chip jitter and phase noise measurement in a digital test environment
Patent number: 10281523Abstract: Proposed digital on-chip jitter and phase noise measurement techniques and circuits are presented and include the use of a digitally controlled delay locked loop having very fine resolution but limited range to track the phase error between the tested device output clock and its reference clock. Some implementations employ a combination of a high-gain 1-bit phase detector, a digital accumulator and a fine digitally controlled delay element to track the accumulated phase difference between the reference clock and the device under test. Observing the accumulator output is an indication of the jitter and performing a Fast Fourier Transform of the accumulator output provides the phase noise of the device under test.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2017Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: Ciena CorporationInventors: Sadok Aouini, Naim Ben-Hamida, Chris Kurowski