Patents Issued in February 20, 2001
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Patent number: 6191927Abstract: A surge suppressor and method for its manufacture. The surge suppressor includes a housing, a plurality of terminal busses contained within the housing, and a plurality of substantially planar conductive plates, each plate having two electrodes for electrical connection to two of the plurality of terminal busses. In one embodiment, by using five terminal busses pentagonally arranged around the plates, the surge protector requires only two types of plate/electrode configurations, thereby simplifying manufacture.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Larry E. Bock, John B. Cozzens, Jr.
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Patent number: 6191928Abstract: The thin film, electrical device is an subminiature overvoltage circuit protection device in a surface mountable configuration for use in printed circuit board or thick film hybrid circuit technology. The surface mountable device (SMD) is designed to protect against electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage to electronic components. The circuit protection device comprises three material subassemblies. The first subassembly generally includes a substrate carrier, electrodes, and terminal pads for connecting the protection device 60 to a PC board. The second subassembly includes a voltage variable polymer material with nonlinear resistance characteristics, and the third subassembly includes a cover coat for protecting other elements of the circuit protection device.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.Inventors: Louis Rector, Hugh M. Hyatt, Anthony Minervini, Robert Swensen, Andrew J. Neuhalfen, Andrew W. S. Elliott
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Patent number: 6191929Abstract: A control device includes a magnetic actuator, a final control element, a regulating unit and a measuring device. The magnetic actuator has a coil, a core, and an armature. The actuator is connected to the final control element. The measuring device determines an inductance value L of the coil and generates, as a function of the inductance value L, a first control signal by which a theoretical value of the amplitude of the current through the coil is changed to a holding value. When a pulse signal P is present, the current through the coil is regulated to the theoretical value by the regulating unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1998Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Christian Hoffmann, Richard Wimmer, Achim Koch
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Patent number: 6191930Abstract: A hair dryer is provided with a high voltage generator which produces a negative DC voltage output of at least about 6 kilovolts for reducing static charges on a person's hair during hair drying. The generator can be mounted adjacent the dryer air inlet of the hair dryer housing to cool the generator with cooling air, or the generator can be mounted externally of the dryer to reduce dryer weight.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: IGIA Direct, Inc.Inventor: Prem A. Ramchandani
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Patent number: 6191931Abstract: An electrolytic capacitor with an electrically conductive housing defining a chamber and defining a feed-through aperture providing communication between the interior and exterior of the housing. A number of conductive layers are positioned within the chamber. A feed-through conductor has a first end connected to the layers, an intermediate portion passing through the feed-through aperture, and an elongated external portion extending externally from the housing and terminating at a free end. An insulative sleeve has a first portion closely received within the feed-through aperture and closely receiving the intermediate portion of the feed-through member and has a second elongated portion extending externally from the housing and closely receiving at least a portion of the external portion of the conductor element, so that only a remaining portion of the conductor element is exposed, and is spaced apart from the housing by the length of the second elongated portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 1998Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.Inventors: Paul Paspa, Craig Mar, Joe Beauvais, Kenneth Wong
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Patent number: 6191932Abstract: A monolithic capacitor which can reduce equivalent series inductance (ESL) thereof includes a first extension of a first internal electrode which is extended onto two sides of a capacitor itself. A second extension of the first internal electrode is extended onto a first end face; and a first external terminal electrode and a second external terminal electrode are connected to the first extension and the second extension, respectively. In addition, a third extension of a second internal electrode opposing the first internal electrode is extended onto the two sides of the capacitor and a fourth extension of the second internal electrode is extended onto a second end face. The third extension and fourth extension are connected to a third external terminal electrode and a fourth external terminal electrode, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Murata Manfacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoichi Kuroda, Masaaki Taniguchi, Yasuyuki Naito, Takanori Kondo
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Patent number: 6191933Abstract: The present invention relates to a ceramic capacitor having metal plate terminals that absorb thermal stress and mechanical stress caused by flexure of the substrate. A ceramic capacitor element is provided with terminal electrodes at the two side end surfaces facing opposite each other. The metal plate terminals are each connected to one of the terminal electrodes at one end thereof, are each provided with a folded portion in a middle area and a terminal portion to be connected to the outside toward the other end from the folded portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: TDK CorporationInventors: Takaya Ishigaki, Masatoshi Ishikawa, Takashi Kamiya, Shunji Itakura, Yuji Aiba, Masanori Yamamoto
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Patent number: 6191934Abstract: High dielectric constant capacitors are made from a dielectric ink of lead-magnesium-niobate and lead oxide powders. Dielectric inks are made by mixing the dielectric powders with a suitable organic vehicle which can be used to coat one or more glass-based green tapes. Buried capacitors are made by coating an overlying and an underlying green tape with a conductor such as silver. Capacitors can also be made by adjusting the organic vehicle and forming a green tape from the dielectric powders. These dielectric green tapes each can be coated with a conductive layer and stacked, the conductive layers connected in parallel. The resultant multilayer capacitors have a very high dielectric constant, while eliminating the need for very large area capacitors, as compared to single layer capacitors.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 1998Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignees: Sarnoff Corporation & Co., Ltd., Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Michael James Liberatore, Attiganal Narayanaswamy Sreeram, Ashok Narayan Prabhu, In-Tae Kim, Je-Do Mun, Sung-Dae Park, Yun-Hwi Park, Joo-Dong Yu, Ellen S. Tormey
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Patent number: 6191935Abstract: An electric double-layer capacitor that is adapted for use in an electric vehicle, for example, and uses aluminum collector electrodes. A native oxide film is formed on each aluminum electrode. Hard granular carbon is made to penetrate through the oxide film into each aluminum electrode. The aluminum electrodes are connected with positive and negative polarizing electrodes, respectively, via the granular carbon, thus lowering the contact resistance.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1998Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Jeol Ltd.Inventors: Michio Okamura, Minoru Noguchi, Manabu Iwaida, Eisuke Komazawa, Akinori Mogami
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Patent number: 6191936Abstract: A pellet for use in a capacitor includes a rectangular body formed from compressed and sintered particles of conductive material. The body has an exterior surface which is textured to form a plurality of indentations therein. The profile of the textured surface in cross section is selected from the group including essentially of a curved profile, a sine shape profile, a rectangular shaped profile, a U-shaped profile, and a V-shaped profile.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Vishay Sprague, Inc.Inventors: Dean A. Webber, John E. Van Voorhis
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Patent number: 6191937Abstract: A portable information processing apparatus includes a lid including a rear case containing a display unit, a body containing a keyboard, and a hinge rotatably coupling the lid to the body. The hinge includes a frame secured to the body, a torque unit, a shaft surrounded by the torque unit, the shaft being fixed to the frame, and an arm secured to the rear case of the lid and rotatably connected to the frame, the arm having an interlocking joint at one end engaging the torque unit to rotate the shaft in response to a rotation of the arm.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 1997Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: LG. Philips LCD Co., Ltd.Inventor: Young Un Bang
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Patent number: 6191938Abstract: An electronic apparatus is provided with a base unit and a display unit. The base unit has an opening formed on the upper surface. The display unit incorporates a display device and supported by the base unit. The display unit is rotatable between a first position where it is tilted down in such a manner as to cover the upper surface of the base unit and a second position where it is raised in such a manner as to expose the upper surface. The display unit includes a projection portion which is inserted into the opening when the display unit is rotated to the first position. A switch for turning the display device on or off is arranged inside the base unit. The switch includes an operation element opposed to the opening of the base unit. When the display unit is rotated to the first position, the operation element is pushed by the projection portion, thereby turning off the display device.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 1998Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Keizo Ohgami, Kazuyuki Matsuda, Takaichi Kobayashi, Kazuya Shibasaki, Hiroshi Nakamura, Shigeru Sekine, Hironori Ito, Kenichi Ishikawa, Tadamichi Shimohira, Moriya Gibo
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Patent number: 6191939Abstract: An information handling system capable of being utilized in an environment having a low level of ambient light is disclosed. The information handling system includes a housing having upper and lower sections, a display disposed on the upper section of the housing for displaying information, and a reflective material disposed on the upper section of the housing for reflecting light emanating from the display onto the lower section of the housing. The reflected light illuminates the lower section of the housing. The reflective material may include a reflective material such as a mirror, paint, or tape and may be disposed on a position proximal to the display for optimally redirecting light emanating from the display onto a portion of the housing requiring illumination such as a keyboard or a pointing device.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1998Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Gateway, Inc.Inventor: Robert J. Burnett
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Patent number: 6191940Abstract: A foldable and portable planar display device includes a display, an intermediate support, and two side supports. The display includes a display screen and a display pivotal connecting means at a lower end thereof. The intermediate support includes an intermediate support pivotal connecting means that is pivotally connected to the display pivotal connecting means such that the intermediate support can pivotally turn with respect to the display and be positioned at a determined angle. The intermediate support is closable to rest against a rear side of the display. Each side support includes a side support pivotal connecting means pivotally connected to the display pivotal connecting means such that the side support can turn with respect to the display and be positioned at a determined angle. The side supports are closable to rest against the rear side of the display. By means of the intermediate support and the two side supports, the display can be supported on a planar surface in a firm and stable manner.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Inventor: His-Kuang Ma
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Patent number: 6191941Abstract: A portable electronic device including a body, and a display portion which is openably and closably provided with respect to the body, wherein a short battery portion is provided at the back end of the body, and a long battery portion is rotatably provided with respect to the short battery portion; and an electronic device battery. In the electronic device and the electronic device battery, a simple structure for electrically connecting the battery to the body can be used to support the back end of the body of the electronic device above a supporting surface in order to easily tilt the body.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1998Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Susumu Ito, Makoto Tanahashi, Teiyu Goto, Tsutomu Asawa
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Patent number: 6191942Abstract: A portable computer can detachably receive a loudspeaker module which includes front and rear walls, a guided wall interposed therebetween, a loudspeaker unit disposed therein, and a connecting member disposed to extend rearwardly and outwardly of the rear wall and connected electrically to the loudspeaker unit. The portable computer includes a mainframe module having upper and lower major walls, a keyboard disposed in the upper major wall, first and second side walls respectively interposed between the upper and lower major walls, a guiding wall, and a mating connecting member. The first side wall defines a receiving cavity extending towards the second side wall and terminating at an inner abutment wall which is spaced apart from the first side wall. The guiding wall is disposed to bound the receiving cavity, and guides slidably the guided wall so as to bring the rear wall towards the inner abutment wall.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Compal Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Chuan-Yuan Lee, Hui-Lian Chang, Yuan Ming
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Patent number: 6191943Abstract: A portable computer docking base has incorporated therein a thermoelectric cooling system used to provide auxiliary operating heat dissipation for a portable notebook computer operatively docked to the base. The cooling system includes a thermoelectric (Peltier effect) heat pump unit disposed within the docking base housing and having opposite hot and cold sides. A finned heat sink member is secured to the hot side of the assembly and positioned in the path of fan-generated cooling air, and a heat slug member is secured to the cold side of the assembly and projects outwardly through an exterior wall of the docking base housing into its computer receiving area. When the computer is placed in the receiving area and docked, the is cooling system heat slug member is brought into heat conductive contact with a similar heat slug member carried within the computer and thermally coupled to its microprocessor.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1998Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Compaq Computer CorporationInventor: Mark S. Tracy
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Patent number: 6191944Abstract: A heat sink adapted for use with an electrical and/or electronic device, in particular with a semiconductor chip such as an integrated circuits, or with a casing for such a device, is formed from a material including whiskers.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1998Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Electrovac, Fabrikation elektrotechnischer Spezialartikel Gesellschaft m.b.H.Inventors: Ernst Hammel, Hermann Holzer
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Patent number: 6191945Abstract: A compact cooling method and apparatus arranged for simultaneously drawing heat from both a processor and from the voltage regulator. The invention provides for advantageous arrangement of the voltage regulator and memory proximate to the processor for high speed operation. The invention includes a processor requiring at least one bias voltage, and further includes a companion voltage regulator for providing the bias voltage. The voltage regulator is arranged sufficiently proximate to the processor, so as to limit inductance of electrical coupling therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Hewlett-Packard CompanyInventors: Christian L. Belady, S. Daniel Cromwell
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Patent number: 6191946Abstract: The apparatus is a heat spreader for attachment to a device to be cooled, with heat pipes attached within holes in the heat spreader. Each of several heat pipes is soldered into a long hole formed between the top and bottom surfaces of a typical heat spreader, which is essentially a thick plate. The heat pipes extend out of one edge of the plate and connect the heat spreader to a heat sink such as an assembly of fins. In order to limit the overflow of solder when the heat pipes are soldered into the heat spreader, a shallow basin is formed in the edge of the plate around all the heat pipe entry holes. The basin creates sufficient additional volume to retain any excess solder which flows out of the holes, and prevents the solder from spreading onto the heat input surface of the heat spreader where it would adversely affect the thermal contact.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2000Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Thermal Corp.Inventors: Z. Zack Yu, Arthur A. Good
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Patent number: 6191947Abstract: An electronic trip unit is adapted for connection to a circuit breaker for circuit interruptions. The electronic trip unit includes a frame module shaped to define a recess. An electronics module is releasably connected to the frame module. The electronics module has a housing, a circuit board assembly, and a facing surface providing access for adjustment of the electronics module. The housing of the electronics module is sized and shaped to fit at least partially within the recess defined by the frame module. An engagement surface is positioned for releasable engagement between the frame module and the electronics module in order to permit removal and replacement of the electronics module with respect to the frame module.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1998Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.Inventors: Solomon R. Titus, Mario Bilac
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Patent number: 6191948Abstract: A device, used in particular in telecommunications technology to supply power to parallel-connected, electrical loads has side-by-side arranged potential lines. These are secured inside a connecting housing, with connections for supplying the operating potential. The connections supply plug-in modules for connecting individual loads, which modules are fitted against the connecting housing in longitudinal direction of the potential lines. The potential lines are configured as rigid, parallel bus bars that project on a side from the connecting housing. With the aid of passages that make contact with the bus bars, the plug-in modules are fitted side-by-side onto the bus bars, such that they fit against the connecting housing or against each other, and are frictionally secured.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1998Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Ellenberger & Poensgen GmbHInventor: Lothar Beyer
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Patent number: 6191949Abstract: An initiator for an inflator of an automotive airbag restraint system includes a housing and a wall dividing the housing into two parts, one for housing a firing element of the initiator, and one for receiving at least one application specific integrated circuit which performs functions of a portion of an electronic control unit. A mounting element is located in the second part of the housing, and at least one application specific integrated circuit is carried by the mounting element. The mounting element and two or more application specific integrated circuits may be provided as a package, in which at least two application specific integrated circuits are mounted in a stacked condition to form an application specific integrated circuit stack. The application specific integrated circuits are configured such that predetermined electrical circuit locations of adjacent ones of the application specific integrated circuits to be interconnected are aligned.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: David D. Hansen, David B. Monk, Mark B. Woodbury, Gerold W. Pratt
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Patent number: 6191950Abstract: A printed circuit card assembly. The assembly comprises a single-piece, stamped bottom cover having a plurality of tabs, each tab having apertures; a printed circuit card having a plurality of slots, each slot adapted to receive one of the tabs; and a single-piece, stamped top cover having opposite sides, a side rail on each side, and a plurality of prongs extending from each side rail, the prongs adapted to snap fit into the apertures in the tabs when the top and bottom cover are joined.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1998Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Wilton L. Cox, Simon D. Yu
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Patent number: 6191951Abstract: A smart card module includes a semiconductor chip that is electrically conductively connected to a metallic lead frame in which contact areas are formed. The semiconductor chip and the contact areas are electrically conductively contacted through connection areas disposed on a surface of an electrically insulating protective layer applied to the semiconductor chip. That surface faces away from the semiconductor chip. Contact can be established between the connection areas and the contact areas through the use of soldered joints or electrically conductive adhesive bonds. A smart card including the smart card module is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Detlef Houdeau, Josef Mundigl, Frank Pueschner, Peter Stampka, Michael Huber, Josef Heitzer
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Patent number: 6191952Abstract: Flip-chip electronic packages are provided with a compliant surface layer, normally positioned between an underfill layer and a substrate such as a chip carrier or a printed circuit board or card, which reduces stress and strain resulting from differences in coefficients of thermal expansion between the chip and substrate. The compliant layer, which should have a storage modulus of less than ½ the modulus of the substrate, preferably between about 50,000 psi and about 20,000 psi, may comprise rubbery materials such as silicone, virco-plastic polymers such as polytetrafluoroethylene or interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs). Photosensitive IPNs used for solder marks are preferred.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1998Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Miquel A. Jimarez, Eric A. Johnson, Li Li, Jan Obrzut
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Patent number: 6191953Abstract: Structure for mounting a circuit card to a sheet metal wall includes upper and lower standoffs formed integrally with the wall. Each upper standoff extends a predetermined distance from the wall and is adapted to receive and hold a fastening member. Each lower standoff is formed integrally with the wall and includes a projection portion extending the same predetermined distance away from the wall and a hook portion having a support portion extending away from the projecting portion and a securement portion extending upwardly from the support portion and spaced from the projecting portion by a distance equal substantially to the thickness of the circuit card. Accordingly, a lower edge of the circuit card is supported by each lower standoff hook portion and fastening members are extended through holes in the circuit card to threadedly engage the upper standoffs.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Avaya Technology Corp.Inventors: Trevor J. Aggus, Matthew J. Gawron
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Patent number: 6191954Abstract: An apparatus for electrically interconnecting circuit boards and providing controlled low impedance current paths. A first conductive member has a first surface, a second surface and a third planar surface, the first surface attaches to a first circuit board or CIM and the second surface attaches to a second circuit board or CIM. An insulative sheet having dielectric properties is aligned parallel to the third surface of the first conductive member. A second conductive member has a fourth surface, a fifth surface and a sixth planar surface, the fourth surface connects to the first circuit board and the fifth surface is for attaching to the second CIM. The sixth planar surface is aligned parallel to the insulative sheet, such that a controlled low impedance high current interconnect can be achieved between the first CIM and the second circuit board responsive to the dielectric properties of the insulative sheet.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 1998Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Steven Dennis Keidl, Gary Allen Thompson
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Patent number: 6191955Abstract: An electronic module comprises (a) an electrical assembly of electrical components and a cap. The cap surrounds a portion of the electrical assembly of electrical components to form a pocket between a portion of the electrical assembly of electrical components and the cap. The cap has at least one sidewall, each of the at least one sidewalls having an end, one of at least one sidewalls proximately positioned to at least one electrical lead and having at least one notch positioned in the end, the pocket filled with an encapsulant. A process comprises providing a cap and filling the cap with encapsulant, placing an electrical assembly of electrical components in the cap filled with the preselected amount of encapsulant, and allowing the electrical assembly to seat to a proper depth.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1998Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Dallas Semiconductor CorporationInventors: Joe Guillot, Michael Quan Dinh, Bill Roberts, Linda M. McLemore
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Patent number: 6191956Abstract: A solid state power supply circuit for providing high frequency power to ignite oil or gas and operate neon sign transformers. A switch operates in conjunction with a resonant tank circuit to supply power to the resonant tank at a predetermined time. The timing of the pulse is controlled to occur when the operation of the transistor will result in providing maximum energy to the load while minimizing power dissipation in the transistor. An amplifier and clamping circuit also operate to limit the duration of the pulse to further reduce power dissipation in the switch.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Donald S. Foreman
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Patent number: 6191957Abstract: A power converter comprises a power transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding flux coupled to the primary winding, input terminals for receiving an input voltage, and output terminals for providing an output voltage. A power switching arrangement comprising two pairs of switching devices arranged in a bridge configuration has a corresponding duty cycle which is selectable so as to cause the power converter to manifest different input output transfer characteristics corresponding to buck and boost modes of operation. An inductor having a single winding is coupled between the input terminals and the primary winding through the switching devices. Secondary winding rectification and filtering provides the power supply output.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2000Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Bae Systems Controls, Inc.Inventor: William Anders Peterson
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Patent number: 6191958Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for controlling a drive transistor of a horizontal deflection apparatus which comprises a comparator; a switching controller which compares a reference voltage coupled to a non-inverting terminal with a signal provided externally through an inverting terminal and removes noise; a switch including a first switch coupled to a constant voltage and a grounded second switch, either the first or second switch being operated according to an output of the switching controller; a diode; a capacitor; a resistor; and a base current supplier. When the constant current, generated by the constant voltage, is provided through the first switch, the constant current is provided to the base terminal of the transistor through the diode, the transistor is turned on, and the capacitor is charged to as much as a forward voltage drop of the diode, and when the first switch is turned off and the grounded second switch is turned on, the transistor is turned off to discharge the capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Fairchild Korea Semiconductor Ltd.Inventor: In-Hwan Oh
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Patent number: 6191959Abstract: A switched-mode power supply with a burst mode comprises an integrated circuit (Ic) with a minimal number of terminals. The integrated circuit (Ic) comprises a switching element (S) for periodically switching on and off the current (Id) in a primary winding (Lp) of a transformer (T), and a control circuit (Cc) for controlling the on and off-switching of the switching element (S). The integrated circuit (Ic) has three terminals (T1, T2, T3). A main current path of the switching element (S) is arranged between two of the terminals (T1, T2). A capacitor (C1) is connected to the third terminal (T3). A capacitor voltage (Vc) across the capacitor (C1) is used as power supply voltage for the control circuit (Cc). A feedback circuit (Fb) has an input connected to a DC output voltage (Vout) supplied by a secondary winding (Ls) of the transformer (T), and an output connected to the third terminal (T3).Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2000Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: U.S. Philips CorporationInventor: Hubertus C. Miermans
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Patent number: 6191960Abstract: A secondary active clamp for a power converter, a method of actively clamping energy of the power converter and a power converter employing the clamp or the method. The power converter has a primary switching circuit coupled to a primary winding of an isolation transformer and a rectifier coupled to a secondary winding of the isolation transformer. In one embodiment, the clamp includes (1) an inductor coupled in series with a freewheeling diode of the rectifier and (2) a series-coupled capacitor and clamping switch coupled in parallel with the inductor. The series-coupled capacitor and clamping switch cooperate with the inductor to mitigate adverse effects of a reverse recovery phenomenon associated with the rectifier and to effect substantially zero voltage switching of a power switch of the primary switching circuit.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2000Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.Inventors: Simon Fraidlin, Anatoliy Polikarpov
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Patent number: 6191961Abstract: A DC high voltage generator includes an AC power supply, an AC-DC rectifier and means to stabilize the DC high voltage generator against load variations. The stabilizer means uses at least two electro-magnetically coupled resonant circuits, which compensate the load variations at an operating frequency in such a way that the output voltage is essentially constant.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: High Voltage Engineering Europa B.V.Inventor: Dirk J. W. Mous
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Patent number: 6191962Abstract: A step-up power supply circuit is provided with a diode D1 to which a predetermined voltage Vcc is applied from a power supply 16, a capacitor CD1 connected to the diode D1, a diode D2 connected to a joint point between the diode D1 and the capacitor CD1,and also a capacitor CD2 connected to the diode D2. A trapezoidal wave signal SD produced by a triangular wave generating circuit 7, an amplifier 8, and a drive unit 9 is applied to the capacitor CD1 so as to turn ON/OFF the diodes D1 and D2. As a result, a step-up voltage HVcc approximately two times higher than the voltage Vcc is produced across the capacitor CD2. Amplifiers AM0 to AMn are operated under the step-up voltage HVcc produced from the step-up power supply circuit with employment of this arrangement, and the step-up voltage HVcc is judged by a judging circuit 17. As a result of this judgement, amplification factors of amplifiers AM0 to AMn are automatically and variably adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Pioneer CorporationInventors: Norio Yoshizumi, Haruyuki Inohana, Akio Ozawa
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Patent number: 6191963Abstract: An integrated circuit-based charge pump generates an output voltage having a greater magnitude than a power supply voltage. The charge pump has a charge pump section having a plurality of alternating stages driven by first and second alternating, non-overlapping clock signals, said plurality of alternating stages including an input stage for receiving the power supply voltage and an output stage for generating at a last stage node a last stage voltage having a greater magnitude than the power supply voltage. A gating transistor is coupled at a drain terminal to the last stage node, wherein the gating transistor is clocked by one of said clock signals and is biased so that the gating transistor, during a boost phase, gates the last stage voltage to a load coupled to the source terminal of the gating transistor without a voltage drop and, at other times, turns off to prevent charge from flowing from the load into the last stage node of the charge pump section.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2000Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.Inventors: Richard Joseph McPartland, Amit Kumar Banerjee, Duane J. Loeper
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Patent number: 6191964Abstract: For use in a power system having a power train, a rectifier having an input and an output and a method of controlling the rectifier. The rectifier comprises: (1) switching circuitry coupled between the input and the output, the switching, circuitry adapted to operate in selected one of (a) a bidirectional mode of operation and (b) an unidirectional mode of operation to rectify substantially alternating current at the input to produce substantially direct current at the output; and (2) control circuitry coupled to a control input of the switching circuitry, the control circuitry capable of sensing a characteristic of the power system and transitioning the switching circuitry between the bidirectional mode and the unidirectional mode as a function of the characteristic thereby to prevent substantial reverse power flow through the rectifier.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey J. Boylan, Allen Frank Rozman
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Patent number: 6191965Abstract: A switching power supply is provided which is capable of preventing abnormal operation of a synchronous rectifier circuit thereof, which is caused by a discontinuous current mode, and capable of enhancing an input power factor thereof. A transformer has a primary winding and a secondary winding. A first switching element is connected in series with the primary winding of the transformer, for switching an input voltage. A diode rectifies an induced voltage induced in the secondary winding of the transformer to generate a rectified current. A control signal is generated which has a current value or a voltage value approximately proportional to a current value of the rectified current. A second switching element is connected in parallel with the diode in an equivalent fashion and has a control terminal to which the control signal is input. The second switching element operates in response to the control signal for rectifying the induced voltage.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2000Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Nagano Japan Radio Co., Ltd.Inventor: Akira Matsumoto
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Patent number: 6191966Abstract: A method for use in a pulse width modulation controlled voltage-source inverter having one or more legs, each leg including two transistors coupled serially between the terminals of a power source and providing a respective drive output, each leg further including a shunt resistor between one of the two transistors, denominated the lower transistor, and one of the terminals, in which control pulses are applied to each leg during a sequence of pulse periods. The method is for determining the phase current each leg supplies, and includes the following steps. The voltages are sampled across the shunt resistor in a plurality of sample periods. The voltages so sampled are averaged over the sample periods, and the phase current is determined from the average so derived.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventor: Zhenyu Yu
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Patent number: 6191967Abstract: A device selectively supplying a high voltage and a ground level voltage to electrodes of an electroluminescent display panel. The voltage supply device includes a first and a second transistor connected in series, and outputs the high voltage upon turning on the first switching transistor and the ground level voltage upon turning on the second switching transistor. The device includes a circuit for selecting either an operation mode under which the device is normally operated with the high voltage or a test mode under which the device is tested under a low test voltage. The mode selection is performed by an external signal supplied to the device. Under the test mode, the switching transistors are turned on with a low gate voltage by operation of a circuit built in the device. Accordingly, the voltage supply device normally operated under the high voltage is easily tested under the low test voltage.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Osamu Katayama, Takahiro Iwamura, Tetsuo Hirano
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Patent number: 6191968Abstract: In an 18-pulse converter system a 3-phase to 9-phase auto transformer with multiple windings per phase is used to power a 9-phase AC to DC converter. The transformer kVA rating is typically about 55% of the DC load kW. Multiple delta connected coils formed around a basic wye connected structure provide a means to circulate the third harmonics of current necessary for proper operation and reduce the amplitude of load current flowing in individual stub windings. The similar current rating required in several of the multiple coils, coupled with reduced amplitude compared to other topologies, facilitates manufacturing of higher power transformers without the need to parallel conductors. The voltage ratio can be selected so as to give an average dc output from an 18-pulse converter which is generally the same as that of a conventional 3-phase bridge rectifier without transformer, however, the topology described is also suitable for step up or step down of voltage as required.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2000Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Inventor: Derek A Paice
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Patent number: 6191969Abstract: Rows of a CAM array are partitioned into a plurality of row segments, with each row segment having a number of CAM cells coupled to a corresponding match line segment. Each CAM cell includes a discharge circuit connected between the cell and ground potential. The discharge circuits connected to CAM cells in a row segment each include a control terminal coupled to receive a control signal indicative of the logical state of the match line segment of the preceding row segment. During compare operations, all match line segments are pre-charged toward a supply voltage. If there is a match in a first row segment, the first match line segment remains charged and, in response thereto, the discharge circuits within a subsequent row segment are turned on to allow the subsequent match line segments to indicate match conditions in the subsequent row segment.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Net Logic Microsystems, Inc.Inventor: Jose Pio Pereira
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Patent number: 6191970Abstract: Rows of a CAM array are partitioned into a plurality of row segments, with each row segment having a number of CAM cells coupled to a corresponding match line segment. Each CAM cell includes a discharge circuit connected between the cell and ground potential. The discharge circuits connected to CAM cells in a row segment each include a control terminal coupled to receive a control signal indicative of the logical state of the match line segment of the preceding row segment. During compare operations, all match line segments are pre-charged toward a supply voltage. If there is a match in a first row segment, the first match line segment remains charged and, in response thereto, the discharge circuits within a subsequent row segment are turned on to allow the subsequent match line segments to indicate match conditions in the subsequent row segment.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2000Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: NetLogic Microsystems, Inc.Inventor: Jose Pio Pereira
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Patent number: 6191971Abstract: A ferroelectric memory device includes a plate line driving circuit, dummy plate line driving circuit, constant voltage generator and variable voltage generating circuit. The plate line driving circuit pulse-drives a plate line associated with a memory cell selected at the time of data readout. The dummy plate line driving circuit pulse-drives a dummy plate line associated with a dummy cell connected to a reference bit line which makes a complementary pair with a bit line connected to the selected memory cell. The constant voltage generator generates a voltage which does not depend on an external power supply voltage and the temperature and is kept substantially constant and applies the voltage to the plate line driving circuit as a power supply voltage.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Sumio Tanaka, Daisaburo Takashima
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Patent number: 6191972Abstract: A magnetic random access memory circuit comprises first and second row decoders receiving a part of a given address, first and second column decoders receiving the other part of a given address, a plurality of pairs of sense lines connected between output terminals of the first row decoder and output terminals of the second row decoder, each pair of sense lines being located adjacent to each other, a plurality of word lines connected between output terminals of the first column decoder and output terminals of the second column decoder, and extending to intersect the sense lines so that intersections of the sense lines and the word lines are located in the form of a matrix. A memory array includes a plurality of cell pairs distributed over the matrix, each cell pair including a memory cell and a reference cell located adjacent to each other. Each of the memory cell and the reference cell includes a magneto-resistive element.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2000Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: NEC CorporationInventors: Sadahiko Miura, Hideaki Numata
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Patent number: 6191973Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) magnetic random access memory (MRAM) content addressable memory (CAM) system has a CAM cell which includes a first data bit, a second data bit, and an equalization bit, all of which are MRAM cells. The CAM is written by first initializing the equalization bit using a current. The first and second data bits are written by currents that are flowing in different directions. After initializing the equalization bit, an input bit in one state indicates that the first and second data bits are written in first and second directions, respectively. The input bit in another state indicates that the first and second bits are written in the second and first directions, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Motorola Inc.Inventor: William C. Moyer
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Patent number: 6191974Abstract: There is provided a nonvolatile semiconductor memory which is capable of operating stably and performing high-speed access operation. A timing generation means 51 for generating timing signals which make a memory core unit 4 perform access operation uses first and second clocks of the same cycle and different phases. The timing generation means 51 generates timing signals for at least one first-half event among a plurality of read access events, according to the first clock, the phase of which precedes a phases of the second clock, and generates timing signals used for processing the remaining events, according to the second clock.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoichi Nishida, Tomonori Kataoka, Ikuo Fuchigami, Tomoo Kimura, Junji Michiyama, Satoshi Koutaka
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Patent number: 6191975Abstract: In the field of EEPROM, memory cell structures and operation methods have been required which are suitable for ultrahigh-integration and high-reliability EEPROMS with no danger of erroneous writing. To meet this requirement, in this invention, the gate of each of select gate cells located on the source line side and the bit line side of a NAND type memory cell array is formed of two layers of a charge storage layer and a control gate layer as with memory cells. The select gate cells are formed at the same time in the same process as memory cells. The ion implantation conditions for the cell channels are set so as to optimize the memory cell channel boost ratio. The optimization of the cutoff characteristic required of the select gate cells is performed by injection of charges into the charge storage layers of the select gate cells without owing to ion implantation. The memory and select gate cells are formed into the same shape. The charge storage layer is formed to self-align to an isolation trench.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Kazuhiro Shimizu, Shinji Satoh, Seiichi Aritome
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Patent number: 6191976Abstract: FLASH Memory sense amplifier reference circuit with weighted dummy loads is used to balance and bias the sense amplifier during erasing, programming, and verification such that the resulting robust stored logic states can meet more stringent pass-fail verify “1” or verify “0” tests. Programming in this manner guarantees logic states which meet full operating temperature and full power supply tolerances requirements.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Michael C. Smayling, Giulio G. Marotta, Giovanni Santin