Patents by Inventor Kenneth J. Russel

Kenneth J. Russel has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7684168
    Abstract: The present teachings generally include a method of controlling a relay. The method generally includes momentarily initiating a pull-in pulse when an input signal indicates a first state. A sense resistor controller is activated based on the pull-in pulse. A current flow is controlled to bypass a sense resistor and flow to the relay based on the activation of the sense resistor controller. The relay is controlled based on the current flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Yazaki North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Sam Y. Guo, Kenneth J. Russel
  • Publication number: 20080170348
    Abstract: The present teachings generally include a method of controlling a relay. The method generally includes momentarily initiating a pull-in pulse when an input signal indicates a first state. A sense resistor controller is activated based on the pull-in pulse. A current flow is controlled to bypass a sense resistor and flow to the relay based on the activation of the sense resistor controller. The relay is controlled based on the current flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: Yazaki North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Sam Y. Guo, Kenneth J. Russel
  • Patent number: 7288853
    Abstract: A semiconductor device for an automotive power control center. The device can include first, second and third legs, a semiconductor and an insulating material. The semiconductor is coupled to the legs and configured to transmit relatively high current power between the first and second legs in response to a control signal transmitted via the third leg. The insulating material can encapsulate the semiconductor and portions of the first and second legs. The insulating material can pass through one or more apertures formed in each of the first and second legs to aid in structurally interlocking the first and second legs to one another. A method for forming a semiconductor device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Yazaki North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Sam Y Guo, Kenneth J Russel, Alexander Shoshiev
  • Patent number: 7268447
    Abstract: An automotive power control center that includes a housing, a first conductor coupled to the housing, a second conductor, a control circuit, which is coupled to the housing, and a semiconductor. The second conductor is coupled to the housing and insulated from the first conductor. The solid-state device includes a first terminal, which is electrically coupled to the first conductor, a second terminal, which is electrically coupled to the second conductor, and a third terminal, which is electrically coupled to the control circuit. The solid-state device is configured to selectively control transmission of electricity between the first and second terminals in response to a signal transmitted from the control circuit through the third terminal. In some embodiments the solid-state device may be removably coupled to the housing. In other embodiments, the solid-state device may be fixedly coupled to the various conductors and terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Yazaki North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J Russel, James L Jones, Baris Arakelian, Alexander Shoshiev
  • Patent number: 7268446
    Abstract: An automotive power control center that includes a housing, a first conductor coupled to the housing, a second conductor, a control circuit, which is coupled to the housing, and a semiconductor. The second conductor is coupled to the housing and insulated from the first conductor. The solid-state device includes a first terminal, which is electrically coupled to the first conductor, a second terminal, which is electrically coupled to the second conductor, and a third terminal, which is electrically coupled to the control circuit. The solid-state device is configured to selectively control transmission of electricity between the first and second terminals in response to a signal transmitted from the control circuit through the third terminal. In some embodiments the solid-state device may be removably coupled to the housing. In other embodiments, the solid-state device may be fixedly coupled to the various conductors and terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Yazaki North America, Inc.
    Inventors: James L Jones, Kenneth J Russel, Baris Arakelian, Alexander Shoshiev
  • Patent number: 7235898
    Abstract: A system and method for providing power redundancy to certain devices of a vehicle that are typically controlled by means of a power distribution and control node. Power is delivered to the node by both a primary power feed as well as a secondary power feed. Provided in each node is a first set of power relays for selectively providing power to at least one device of a first class, as well as a second set of power relays for selectively providing power to at least one device of a second class. Under a normal operating state of the node, the one or more first class devices, as well as the one or more second class devices, selectively receive power from the primary power feed. Upon the occurrence of a disruption in the primary power feed, the one or more second class devices will continue to operate by being selectively powered through the second set of power relays by the second power feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Yazaki North America, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Jones, III, Kenneth J. Russel, Alex Shoshiev, Yongmin Sheng
  • Patent number: 6700795
    Abstract: The architecture of an automotive wiring, power distribution and accessory control system is described. The system comprises semi-custom two-tier nodes which are distributed in locations around the vehicle to service load devices associated with or found in different regions of the automobile topology. A multiplexed control network interconnects the nodes along with a two-wire bus. Each node consists of a first common board carrying a microcontroller and a basic number of FET driver switches associated with a basic level of accessorization for that region of the vehicle. Each node further comprises a second larger pass through board which supports the first common board in spaced parallel relationship therewith and which carries terminal connectors. The larger pass through board has vacant locations for the addition of FET drivers needed for higher levels of accessorization. These locations are preconnected to the microcontroller but are unused in vehicles with lower levels of accessorization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Yazaki North America
    Inventors: James L. Jones, Jarrett Nyschick, Chidambarakrishnan L. Rajesh, Kenneth J. Russel, Yongmin Sheng
  • Patent number: 6580219
    Abstract: An electrical control circuit for an automotive lamp module having an integrated ON/OFF switch to activate and deactivate the driver circuit associated with the lamp such that the driver circuit is only turned on when either the primary ON/OFF switch or a remote, door-ajar switch is closed. A microprocessor is used to respond to low-level current conditions indicative of a closed switch. A timer turns the driver OFF after a predetermined duration of continuous operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Yazaki North America
    Inventors: James L. Jones, III, Kenneth J. Russel, Chidambarakrishnan L. Rajesh, Belinda I. Ng, Jade L. Huee