Patents Examined by Zeev V. Kitov
  • Patent number: 10410899
    Abstract: Described herein are an electrostatic chuck and method for using the same. In one example, an electrostatic chuck is provided that includes a plurality of independently replaceable electrostatic chuck assemblies mounted in an array across a chuck body. The electrostatic chuck assemblies define a substrate support surface suitable for supporting a large area substrate. At least a first electrostatic chuck assembly of the plurality of electrostatic chuck assemblies is operable independent of an operation of a second electrostatic chuck assembly of the plurality of electrostatic chuck assemblies. In yet another example, a method for chucking a substrate is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: John M. White, Shreesha Y. Rao
  • Patent number: 10411457
    Abstract: A power distribution system for connection to an AC voltage network, having a UPS power supply unit for uninterruptible power supply with a network-side input and with at least one output to which a number of loads are connected or can be connected in parallel load circuits, wherein a protective device having an electromechanical tripping device, in particular a thermal/magnetic tripping device, and having an evaluation and tripping unit is connected in the or each load circuit, which tripping unit trips the tripping device on the basis of an electronic overload and/or short-circuit characteristic curve and on the basis of the output voltage from the UPS power supply unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Ellenberger & Poensgen GmbH
    Inventors: Erich Fischer, Hubert Harrer, Thomas Regahl, Than-Huy Pham, Juergen Zeberl
  • Patent number: 10411439
    Abstract: A surge arrester for the power supply of low-voltage systems, having a housing, two electrodes which are situated axially opposite one another, an arc combustion chamber formed in the interior of the housing, and a trigger aid. A spark gap is formed between the two electrodes so that an arc is produced when the spark gap between the two electrodes is triggered, the axial distance between end faces of the two electrodes being so large that the arc voltage is greater than the expected line voltage. Conversion of energy within the surge arrester is reduced by the arc combustion chamber having an inner region and at least one expansion region into which the arc can propagate after triggering. The inner region is arranged between the two electrodes and is delimited axially by the end faces of the electrodes and is delimited longitudinally by the at least one expansion region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Rainer Durth, Jan-Erik Schmutz
  • Patent number: 10395877
    Abstract: The present invention proposes a protection device which has a large rated voltage and a large rated current, which is capable of sufficiently suppressing arc generation during activation, and which is also capable of providing suitable protection against overcurrent due to short circuiting or the like of a main circuit. The protection device of the present invention includes (i) a protection element which includes a first thermal fuse and a resistor, and in which the resistor generates heat as a result of current passing through the resistor when there are abnormalities, and the first thermal fuse is activated due to this heat and interrupts the current, (ii) a PTC element and a second thermal fuse which are electrically connected in parallel to the first thermal fuse and which are electrically connected in series to each other, and (iii) a current fuse which is electrically connected in series to the first thermal fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Masaaki Iwai, Takayuki Yokota
  • Patent number: 10381820
    Abstract: An undervoltage protection circuit and an overvoltage protection circuit include a first comparator and a second comparator. The first comparator has a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and a first output terminal. The second comparator has a third input terminal, a fourth input terminal, and a second output terminal. The third input terminal receives a reference voltage and the fourth input terminal receives a first feedback voltage. The first and the second output terminals are coupled with a logic device. The first feedback voltage is converted to a second feedback voltage by the delay circuit and the voltage level shifter. The first comparator outputs a detection enabling voltage for undervoltage/overvoltage detection when the first feedback voltage crosses the second feedback voltage. The logic device outputs a protection voltage level undervoltage/overvoltage protection when the first feedback voltage crosses the reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: ANPEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chih-Heng Su, Yang-Fan Su
  • Patent number: 10381143
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and haptic actuators, and suitably haptic actuation resulting from the response to a magnetic field of magnetic particles within an elastomeric material. Such systems and haptic actuators are useful in structural materials, including as elements of wearables or accessories, as well as in other applications and devices where haptic feedback is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vahid Khoshkava, Mansoor Alghooneh
  • Patent number: 10374412
    Abstract: A control unit rod interface arrangement couples between AC and DC power systems. The interface includes at least two poles for coupling between the DC and AC power systems. Each of the poles includes a converter for conversion between AC and DC power. If a fault has occurred in one of the poles, a transient current, or fault current, may flow through a neutral bus line connected to the pole, the pole's converter and the location of the fault in the pole. Such a transient or fault current should preferably be damped out as quickly as possible, after which the pole may be electrically isolated from the other components of the interface arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Sören Nyberg, Yifan Jia, Ying Jiang-Hafner
  • Patent number: 10374398
    Abstract: A subsea power distribution device and system. The subsea power distribution device includes a first watertight housing accommodating at least one transformer having a primary winding and at least one secondary winding, input terminals electrically connected to the primary winding and arranged to be connected to a remote power supply, an output terminal electrically connected to the at least one secondary winding, and switches located within the first watertight housing and arranged to open and close the connections between each secondary winding and a corresponding output terminal. Each output terminal is further connected to an overcurrent breaking device which is further arranged to be connected to a subsea power consuming device. The overcurrent breaking device is arranged in a second watertight housing separate from the first watertight housing and is filled with insulating liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: FMC Kongsberg Subsea AS
    Inventor: Torbjørn Strømsvik
  • Patent number: 10366854
    Abstract: A contactor includes a plurality of switches mechanically coupled to an actuator. The actuator is moveable between operational and tripped positions. Switches that are closed in the operational position are open in the tripped position, and vice versa. The actuator extends through a coil as a core. The coil moves the actuator when an input signal is applied to the coil. A first input circuit receives a power-up input signal to transition the contactor from a tripped position to an operational position. A second input circuit receives a trip signal to transition the contactor from the operational position to the tripped position. First and second switches, coupled to respective first and second ends of the coil, reverse the polarity of the coil each occurrence of the actuator being actuated in preparation for the coil to be energized and magnetically polarized in an opposite direction during a next subsequent actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard R. Gorenflo, Richard A. Gast
  • Patent number: 10361558
    Abstract: A system and method includes a power control circuit for controlling first power from a power supply provided to a first circuit includes a first stage and a second stage. The first stage includes a low power energy detector and a first power switch. The low power energy detector is configured to provide second power via the first switch in response to energy. The second stage includes a signal detector configured to detect a characteristic of a signal associated with the energy in response to the second power. The signal detector is configured have the first power provided to the first circuit in response to the characteristic being detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte. Limited
    Inventors: Kambiz Vakilian, Jingguang Wang
  • Patent number: 10355489
    Abstract: A solar cell management system for increasing the efficiency and power output of a solar cell and methods for making and using the same. The management system provides an electric field across an individual solar cell, an array of solar cells configured as a panel, or a group of solar panels. The imposed electric field exerts a force on both the electrons and holes created by light incident on the solar cell and accelerates the electron-hole pairs towards the electrodes of the solar cell. Compared to conventional solar cells, these accelerated electron-hole pairs travel a shorter distance from creation (by incident optical radiation) and spend less time within the solar cell material, therefore the electron-hole pairs have a lower likelihood of recombining within the cells' semiconductor's material. This reduction in the electron-hole recombination rate results in an overall increase in the solar cells' efficiency and greater power output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Solarlytics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert P. McNamara, Douglas M. Raymond
  • Patent number: 10348079
    Abstract: The present overcurrent protective device comprises an input terminal configured to receive a power supply voltage, an output terminal, a switch, a detector, and a controller. The switch is provided between the input terminal and the output terminal. The detector is configured to output a limitation signal without delay when a current flowing through the switch exceeds a prescribed tolerance value. The controller is configured to receive the limitation signal and control the switch to prevent the current from exceeding the tolerance value. The detector is configured output a turn-off signal to the controller when a first state continues for a delay time determined depending on the current's magnitude. The first state is a state where the current is smaller than the tolerance value and the current exceeds a first threshold value smaller than the tolerance value. The controller turns off the switch in response to the turn-off signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Yasusaka, Daisaku Shugo, Shinichi Hirata
  • Patent number: 10347520
    Abstract: Provided is an electrostatic chuck including: a base material; an adsorption unit for adsorbing a wafer by using electrostatic force; an adhesive layer for adhering the adsorption unit to the base material; and an adhesive layer anti-corrosion coating layer provided to cover an exposed surface of the adhesive layer, wherein the adhesive layer anti-corrosion coating layer has no pores or cracks since the adhesive layer anti-corrosion coating layer is made by a method of spraying and coating, at conditions of 0-50° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignees: FEMVIX
    Inventors: Ok Ryul Kim, Ok Min Kim
  • Patent number: 10348085
    Abstract: This static electricity protection circuit starts a discharge operation only if an applied voltage is greater than or equal to a set voltage, and protects a discharge circuit also when noise or the like is applied during a normal operation. This static electricity protection circuit includes: a resistor R1 and clamp circuit that are connected in series between nodes N1 and N2; a first transistor that turns on in accordance with an increase in a potential difference generated in the resistor R1; a resistor R2 and capacitor C2 that are connected via a node N4 between the nodes N1 and N2; a second transistor that is connected in series with the first transistor between the nodes N1 and N5; a resistor R3 connected between the nodes N5 and N2; a third transistor connected between the nodes N4 and N2; and a discharge circuit connected between the nodes N1 and N2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masuhide Ikeda
  • Patent number: 10340682
    Abstract: An electronic-device having an intermediate connection layer interposed between a wiring substrate and an electronic component. The intermediate connection layer has a laminated structure including a rigid substrate and a flexible substrate. A first conductor part is formed on one principal surface of the flexible substrate, and second and third conductor parts are formed on both principal surfaces of the rigid substrate, respectively. The rigid substrate includes an opening, and the first conductor part of the flexible substrate includes a narrowed fuse part at a position opposite the opening. Windows are formed near the fuse part. The flexible substrate and the rigid substrate are electrically connected with each other via solder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroki Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 10340687
    Abstract: Disclosed examples include an ESD protection circuit to protect an IC pad with high immunity against hot-plug surges, switching noise or other transient voltage conditions on the protected pad. The ESD protection circuit includes a clamp transistor and a trigger circuit responsive to rises in the protected pad voltage at or above a first slew rate to turn on the clamp transistor, as well as a second circuit coupled between the control terminal of the clamp transistor and a voltage supply node. The second circuit responds to rises in a voltage of the clamp transistor control terminal at a second, lower slew rate to reduce the voltage of the first control node to at least partially turn the clamp transistor off to reduce leakage current flow through the clamp transistor during transient voltage conditions on the protected pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Zhong Chen, Liang Wang
  • Patent number: 10339979
    Abstract: An embodiment includes an apparatus comprising: power supply pins to couple to a power supply; a protection block, including a first transistor, to: (a) determine whether voltage from the power supply pins meets a predetermined condition, and (b) in response to determining whether the predetermined condition is met, communicate a first communication to at least one of first and second function blocks; and the first function block, coupled to the protection block and the power supply pins, including a second transistor and at least one fuse that corresponds to a security key; wherein the first transistor is at least one of: (a) connected in series with at least one other transistor, and (b) having a first gate oxide breakdown voltage that is greater than a second gate oxide breakdown voltage of the second transistor. Other embodiments are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Seyed-Abdollah Aftabjahani, Amitabh Das
  • Patent number: 10340686
    Abstract: An electronic device that has a circuit network therein and conducts at least one of power reception and communication with an external device through a wire harness includes a detection circuit and a resonance frequency shift circuit. The detection circuit detects a voltage variation caused by a noise that has a frequency component near a resonance frequency and superimposes on at least one of the wire harness and the circuit network. The resonance frequency is determined based on a characteristic impedance of the wire harness and the circuit network. The resonance frequency shift circuit shifts the resonance frequency by changing at least one of a capacitance and an inductance of the circuit network based on a level of the voltage variation detected by the detection circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kotani, Takao Kuroda, Takuya Sugie
  • Patent number: 10333289
    Abstract: A sensor for measuring current of the Rogowski-torus type including a carrier made of a magnetic materials and a secondary winding wound on the carrier in order to deliver an electrical signal representative of a current flowing in a conductor passing through the interior of the torus. The carrier is made essentially of a moulded rigid plastic material and includes at least one exterior recess distributed over the length of the body of the carrier. The recess includes at least two grooves that are separated by a partition. The protecting and measuring device and the electric circuit breaker include such a current sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES SAS
    Inventors: David Loglisci, Sebastien Buffat, Michel Rapeaux, Stephane Sicard, Stephane Alban
  • Patent number: 10333294
    Abstract: A cable including a power conductor configured to transmit electrical power between a first device and a second device, a first data conductor configured to transmit data between the first device and the second device, and a first bimetallic switch coupled to the first data conductor and configured to mitigate current flowing through the first data conductor if a temperature of the first bimetallic switch exceeds a predefined first trip temperature, wherein the opening of the first data line indicates a fault condition to a device to which the cable is connected, whereby electrical power flowing through the power conductor is resultantly mitigated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: LITTELFUSE, INC.
    Inventors: Boris Golubovic, Kunghao Yu