Patents Examined by Vinh Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9671487
    Abstract: A track test load device includes an inductor assembly with simulated track inductors simulating a rail track, a connector assembly for connecting the inductor assembly to a constant warning time device, and a multi-way-switch-assembly with a multi-way-switch with multiple switch positions. The multi-way-switch assembly is operably coupled between the inductor assembly and the connector assembly, wherein a switch position of the multi-way-switch corresponds to an operating mode of the track test load device. Furthermore, a track test load system and a method for testing a constant warning time device are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Harp, Jay Yocum
  • Patent number: 9671436
    Abstract: An electric current sensor includes a core having a coupling portion formed by bending a part of a plate member, and one end portion and the other end portion of the plate member are disposed to oppose to each other through a constant magnetic gap on a side opposite from the coupling portion. The core has: a first tapered portion in which a width of the plate member continuously decreases from one end of the coupling portion adjacent to the one end portion to a distal end of the one end portion; and a second tapered portion in which the width of the plate member continuously decreases from an other end of the coupling portion adjacent to the other end portion to a distal end of the other end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Tsukamoto, Tatsuya Takagi, Teruo Oda
  • Patent number: 9671458
    Abstract: A guided approach device for guiding together a first device (handler or tester) and a second device (including a test head for electronic components), including a latching device with a cylindrical pin socket for holding and fixing a front end of a catch pin. The latching device is connected to a linear displacement device such that the cylindrical pin socket may be displaced in a linear direction at least a short distance corresponding to a multiple of a length of a leading section of the catch pin, which may be inserted into the pin socket. Additionally or alternatively, the latching device is connected to a linear displacement device such that the latching element, a spring element and the pin socket may be displaced, with the catch pin engaged, in a linear direction by the linear displacement device, so that the first and second devices maybe moved relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Turbodynamics GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Thurmaier
  • Patent number: 9664533
    Abstract: A magnetic field generator disposed on one surface side of a sheet-shaped object-to-be-detected contains a magnetic component. The magnetic field generator includes a first magnetic pole part that forms a first magnetic pole, and a second magnetic pole part that forms a second magnetic pole with reverse polarity of the first magnetic pole. The magnetic field generator generates a cross magnetic field that crosses the object-to-be-detected. An MR element is disposed between the first magnetic pole part and the object-to-be-detected. The resistance value of the MR element changes according to a change in a component of the cross magnetic field in a conveying direction. The position of the MR element in the conveying direction is position shifted along the conveying direction from the center position of the first magnetic pole part in the conveying direction, and located between both ends of the first magnetic pole part in the conveying direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Asano, Toshiaki Shoji, Tomokazu Ogomi, Kenji Shimohata, Masaaki Okada, Miki Kagano, Masashi Hino, Hideki Matsui
  • Patent number: 9658083
    Abstract: An end-sensing sensor assembly for proximity sensing including one or more sensing devices positioned between two axially magnetized ring magnets having like poles facing one another such that the magnetic fields emanating from the two axially magnetized ring magnets define a moveable balanced zone therebetween. The one or more sensing devices may be positioned within the balanced zone or outside the balanced zone, or combinations thereof. The balanced zone shifts in response to the approach of a magnetic, permeable, and/or ferrous material which cause the sensing device to actuate in response to a sufficient shift in the balanced zone. Upon removal or departure of the magnetic, permeable, and/or ferrous material, the balance zone shifts back to the initial position prior to the approach of the magnetic, permeable, and/or ferrous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Hermetic Switch, Inc.
    Inventor: David Tyler Posey
  • Patent number: 9651577
    Abstract: A pogo pin may include a housing, a resilient connecting member and a switching unit. The housing may be arranged between a printed circuit board (PCB) and a probing head. The resilient connecting member may be arranged in the housing to electrically connect the PCB with the probing head. The switching unit may be provided in the housing to selectively cut off an electrical connection between the PCB and the probing head. Thus, because the PCB may not require additional switching substrates, the PCB may have a small size so that the probe card may also have a small size. A semiconductor device may be manufactured using the probe card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung-Ho Joo, Yu-Kyum Kim, Joon-Yeon Kim
  • Patent number: 9651504
    Abstract: The invention is a method of Fano resonance microwave spectroscopy of high absorption matter. The method comprises: embedding a magnetic-dipolar-mode (MDM) ferrite disk in the microwave cavity, loading a sample of the high absorption matter in the microwave cavity, using a bias magnetic field to tune the MDM resonance frequency of the ferrite disk to the resonance frequency of the cavity; and observing the symmetric Lorentz-like lineshape of the resonance peaks that are obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: B.G. Negev Technologies and Applications Ltd., at Ben-Gurion University
    Inventors: Guy Vaisman, Evgeny Elman, Elad Hollander, Eugene O. Kamenetskii, Reuven Shavit
  • Patent number: 9645203
    Abstract: A magnetic field measuring device includes a first semiconductor body having a surface formed in a first x-y plane, the first semiconductor body having two magnetic field sensors, spaced a distance apart on the surface, and the magnetic field sensors each measuring one z component of a magnetic field. A first magnet has a planar main extension surface formed in a second x-y plane, the direction of magnetization changing from a north pole to a south pole along the main extension surface on a symmetry surface of the magnet. One of the two magnetic field sensors being disposed in the vicinity of the north pole and the other of the two magnetic field sensors being situated in the vicinity of the south pole, so that signals having opposite polarities with respect to each other are formed in a z component of the magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Micronas GmbH
    Inventors: Timo Kaufmann, Klaus Heberle, Joerg Franke, Oliver Breitwieser
  • Patent number: 9642211
    Abstract: A detection circuit is configured to detect the presence of an operating dimmer arranged to dim a lamp. The detection circuit includes a first circuit for measuring at a first frequency an impedance at a coupling arranged to carry a possibly dimmed feeding signal for the lamp. The first frequency is higher than the mains frequency of the mains which supplies the possibly dimmed feeding signal for the lamp. The first circuit provides a first output signal indicating the measured impedance at the first frequency. The detection circuit also includes a second circuit for analyzing the first output signal and providing a second output signal indicating whether the operating dimmer is present. The second output signal indicates that the operating dimmer is present if the measured impedance changes by at least a defined minimum deviation within a defined time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventor: Harald Josef Günther Radermacher
  • Patent number: 9640753
    Abstract: A sensor and fabrication process are provided for forming reference layers with substantially orthogonal magnetization directions having zero offset with a small compensation angle. An exemplary embodiment includes a sensor layer stack of a magnetoresistive thin-film based magnetic field sensor, the sensor layer stack comprising a pinning layer; a pinned layer including a layer of amorphous material over the pinning layer, and a first layer of crystalline material over the layer of amorphous material; a nonmagnetic coupling layer over the pinned layer; a fixed layer over the nonmagnetic coupling layer; a tunnel barrier over the fixed layer; and a sense layer over the nonmagnetic intermediate layer. Another embodiment includes a sensor layer stack where a pinned layer including two crystalline layers separated by a amorphous layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: EVERSPIN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jijun Sun, Phillip Mather, Srinivas Pietambaram, Jon Slaughter, Renu Whig, Nicholas Rizzo
  • Patent number: 9631919
    Abstract: A measurement tool for measuring an electrical parameter of a metal film deposited on a front side of a workpiece includes an electrical sensor connected to a workpiece contact point, an energy beam source with a beam impact location on the front side, a holder and a translation mechanism capable of translating the holder relative to the workpiece support, the beam source supported on the holder, and a computer programmed to sense a behavior of an electrical parameter sensed by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Abraham Ravid, Dmitry A. Dzilno, Todd J. Egan, Robert O. Miller
  • Patent number: 9625536
    Abstract: An object is to achieve miniaturization and an increase in performance of a magnetic sensor device, and the magnetic sensor according to the present invention has a magnetic film and a metal electrode to be electrically coupled to the magnetic film, the magnetic film and the metal electrode constituting a magnetic sensor portion. The metal electrode is formed with level difference portions, and the magnetic film is formed on the level difference portions and sidewalls that connect the level difference portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Takaki Sugino
  • Patent number: 9625520
    Abstract: Latch-up test device and method are provided, and the method includes following steps. A set operation is performed for setting a basic test value according to a test range and setting a trigger pulse and a predetermined error value by the basic test value. A test on a test chip in a wafer under test is performed by the trigger pulse, and whether the test chip is in a latch-up state is determined. Whether to update a test range and a latch-up threshold value and whether to return to the step of performing the set operation are determined according to a determination result, the latch-up threshold value and the basic test value. When the test chip is in the latch-up state and a difference between the latch-up threshold value and the basic test value is not greater than the predetermined error value, the test on the test chip is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yu Wang, Yao-Wen Chang, Tao-Cheng Lu
  • Patent number: 9618365
    Abstract: An angle sensor device includes first and second magnet tracks, a sensor component, and a control unit. The first and second magnet tracks are fixed to a rotatable object and are configured to generate a non-homogenous field. The rotatable object is configured to rotate about a rotation axis and the non-homogenous field has a smaller gradient of magnitude along a rotational direction than a perpendicular direction, which is perpendicular to the rotational direction. The sensor component is positioned off-axis and is configured to measure a magnetic field including the non-homogenous field and provide magnetic field measurements. The control unit is configured to determine angular information from the magnetic field measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Udo Ausserlechner, Mario Motz
  • Patent number: 9618560
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided that more accurately detect the onset of thermal runaway in a device and timely control it. According to one embodiment, changes in stand-by current and temperature of a transistor device are measured and are used to be compared to some thresholds to trigger the device to respond before the onset thermal runaway. According to another embodiment, stand-by current is measured and is compared to some thresholds to trigger the device to respond before the onset thermal runaway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Sam Ziqun Zhao
  • Patent number: 9613740
    Abstract: A moving magnetic field generating apparatus includes a magnet array including magnets disposed at a first pitch such that N and S poles of adjacent magnets in the magnet array are alternated, and first and second magnetic pole piece arrays extending along the magnet array to interpose the magnet array therebetween with a gap from the magnet array. The first and second magnetic pole piece arrays are disposed with a predetermined phase difference therebetween. The first magnetic pole piece array includes first magnetic pole pieces disposed at a second pitch in an array and each having a length enough to face at least two adjacent magnets in the magnet array. The second magnetic pole piece array is configured similarly to the first magnetic pole piece array. One of the first and second magnetic pole piece arrays and the magnet array is relatively moved to the other at a predetermined speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: SANYO DENKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Sugita, Yasushi Misawa, Yuqi Tang, Shigenori Miyairi
  • Patent number: 9606170
    Abstract: Provided is a handler apparatus that conveys a device under test to a test socket, including: a socket fitting unit which the test socket fits, prior to fitting of a device holder holding the device under test to the test socket; a test-socket position detecting section that detects a relative position of the socket fitting unit with respect to the test socket in a state in which the socket fitting unit fits the test socket; an actuator that adjusts a position of the device under test on the device holder, based on the detected relative position of the socket fitting unit; and a conveyer that conveys the device holder in which the position of the device under test has been adjusted, to fit the test socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: ADVANTEST CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Yamashita, Mitsunori Aizawa, Hiromitsu Horino, Yuya Yamada, Masataka Onozawa
  • Patent number: 9606092
    Abstract: Systems and methods for diagnosing a sensor for an exhaust system may include perturbing an output signal from the sensor for the exhaust system. The method may further include monitoring an output signal from a controller for controlling a component affecting the exhaust system or an unperturbed output signal from the sensor and diagnosing the sensor based on the monitored output signal from the controller or the unperturbed output signal from the sensor. In another implementation, a first controller may output the output signal from the sensor to a second controller configured to have a predetermined response to output signal. The first controller receives a response from the second controller and diagnoses the sensor based on the received response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Cummins Emission Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Avra Brahma
  • Patent number: 9608305
    Abstract: A circuit includes a current sensing circuit comprising a current input terminal coupled to an input port, a current output terminal coupled to a transmitted port, and a current sensing output terminal configured to provide a current sensing signal proportional to a current flowing between the current input terminal and the current output terminal. The circuit further includes a voltage sensing circuit having a voltage input terminal coupled to the transmitted port and a voltage sensing output terminal configured to provide a voltage sensing signal proportional to a voltage at the transmitted port. A combining circuit has a first input coupled to the current sensing output terminal, a second input coupled to the voltage sensing output terminal, and a combined output node coupled to an output port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Valentyn Solomko, Winfried Bakalski, Nikolay Ilkov, Werner Simbuerger, Daniel Kehrer
  • Patent number: 9599654
    Abstract: A fault current detection circuit comprises a primary current transformer that detects a current; a pair of secondary current transformers that convert a current detection signal into secondary conversion signals with a small current; a fault detection circuit section that determines whether or not a fault current occurs by comparing a current value according to a secondary conversion signal with a predetermined reference current value; a surge detection circuit section that determines whether or not a surge current occurs on the electric power circuit; and a trip determination unit that receives a fault detection signal and a surge detection signal, and generates a trip control signal when at least either one of the fault detection signal and the surge detection signal is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hae Yong Park, Jung Wook Sim, Gyeong Ho Lee