Patents Issued in March 6, 2003
  • Publication number: 20030043564
    Abstract: A printed circuit board employs a rigid toothed drive arm driven by an exterior spur gear to actuate a pair of levers pivotably attached to one end of the drive arm. Spur gear rotation moves the drive arm and variously moves the drive arm and levers into “Y” or “T” configurations, and in doing so, pushes against exteriorly mounted cabinet or enclosure pins to effect inward and outward motion of the entire board, even when it is fully populated with printed circuit cards contained in cooperatively acting cartridges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dennis R. Barringer, Budy D. Notohardjono, Harold M. Toffler
  • Publication number: 20030043565
    Abstract: A tape carrier package has a chip, a tape carrier and sealing material. The chip has an active surface on which a plurality of bump electrodes are centrally arranged in two rows. The tape carrier has a device hole smaller than the chip, and has a plurality of leads each of which is divided into inner lead and outer lead. The inner leads are routed inward the center of the device hole and connected to the bump electrodes, respectively. The sealing material encapsulates the active surface of the chip and the inner leads, with the outer leads being exposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Yih-Cherng Juang
  • Publication number: 20030043566
    Abstract: A power supplying structure 1 includes a support 6a which has a rectangular wave-shaped cross section and to which a communication device is mounted and a power source bus 3 stored in the support 6a for supplying power from a power supplying device 2 to a communication device 5 in such a configuration the power supplying device 2 is mounted in such a manner that a power source output terminal 22 thereon may be positioned on a front face side and also that a cable duct 4 is provided between a side face of the communication device 5 and the support 6a, for storing a power supplying cable 12 which interconnects the power source bus 3 and the communication device 5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Tsunoda, Mitsuyoshi Ooi
  • Publication number: 20030043567
    Abstract: The invention relates to a light panel (12), comprising: a light guide having a front surface defining a viewing window (11), a back surface and sides (3, 4) between the front and back surfaces; and a patterned array of light sources (8, 9, 10) of at least two types, which types are distinguished by the color of light emitted by the light sources of said at least two types, said array being arranged along at least one of the sides. Each light source generates in use a divergent light beam of a color into the panel to, in combination, color the panel. Further, the array comprises complementary sub-arrays (8,9,8,9 & 9,10,9,10) of light sources along at least two of the sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Christoph Gerard August Hoelen, Gerard Harbers
  • Publication number: 20030043568
    Abstract: A light conductive bar has a plurality of flat portions parallel to a side surface thereof facing a light conductive plate and formed on a side surface thereof opposite to the side surface and a plurality of inclined surfaces descending from one end surface facing a spot-like light source toward the other end surface, wherein the flat portions step down gradually from the one end surface to the other end surface. When light introduced into the light conductive bar from the one end surface is repeatedly reflected at the flat portions and the side surface facing the light conductive plate, angles of reflections thereat can stay larger than the critical angle because the flat portions are parallel to the side surface. Accordingly, the light can travel to the other end surface without leakage, thereby improving the luminance of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: MINEBEA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shingo Suzuki, Toru Kunimochi
  • Publication number: 20030043569
    Abstract: To replace an old lamp unit, first, resilient projections are pushed outward through engaging holes of a resin frame with some tool and the lamp unit is pulled out through a lamp unit guide hole. Then, a new lamp unit is inserted with the resilient projections deformed to the lamp side by utilizing their resiliency. When the lamp unit is inserted to the regular position, the projections are opposed to the respective engaging holes of the resin frame and return to their original shapes because of their resiliency to go into the respective holes. As a result, the lamp unit is positioned with respect to the resin frame and fixed to the latter. Even when external impact acts on the liquid crystal display device, the lamp unit does not fall off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Advanced Display
    Inventors: Akihiro Mori, Seiji Sakai
  • Publication number: 20030043570
    Abstract: Land portions to which the spot-like light source is soldered are provided at the end of the FPC, whereby the light emitting surface of the spot-like light source is aligned to the side of the FPC, that is, the FPC does not protrude from the light emitting surface. The spot-like light source mounted on the FPC is disposed close to the light conductive bar with its light emitting surface facing the end surface of the light conductive bar. Since the FPC does not exist ahead of the light emitting surface, the FPC does not overlap the end portion of the light conductive bar, so that light rays emitted from the light emitting surface do not irradiate the FPC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihisa Nishioka
  • Publication number: 20030043571
    Abstract: In a light-emitting device comprising an organic electroluminescent device including one or more organic thin layers (at least including a light-emitting layer) which are sandwiched between a transparent first electrode formed on a light-transmitting substrate and a second electrode, the light-transmitting substrate is formed so as to include parts for reflecting light emitted by the organic electroluminescent device (corresponding to a pixel) and thereby preventing the light from entering adjacent pixel areas. The light-transmitting substrate is formed of material having a refractive index of 1.65 or more or a refractive index higher than that of the light-emitting layer. A surface of the light-transmitting substrate opposite to the first electrode is provided with a light-diffusing function for avoiding total reflection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Satoru Toguchi, Atsushi Oda, Hitoshi Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20030043572
    Abstract: An decorative lava lamp includes a housing having one or more dense fluids therein, with discrete granules, such as gems or diamonds floating therein, wherein the lava lamp includes a light underneath. A lamp base both illuminates the lava lamp and heats the one or more dense fluids. The internal illumination from the bottom adds a decorative dimension that cannot be duplicated by external lighting. The brilliant gems sparkle and throw off shadows in the vicinity when placed in a dimly lit area. The heated silicone fluid rises in the center of the lower portion of the lava lamp lifting gem granules within the housing where they gently fall again due to the cooling of the silicone oil in contact with the enclosure. This creates a dynamic light show.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Stanley Zale
  • Publication number: 20030043573
    Abstract: A ball pen including a light emitting device is provided. In the ball pen, a light emitting diode (LED) is enclosed in a figurine attached to the end of the ball pen and two electric wires are connected to the LED. One of the wires is connected to one electrode of a battery and the other is in contact with a cone-shaped spring positioned at the lower portion of the battery. The cone of the cone-shaped spring is pushed up by an ink cartridge, making the cone-shaped spring come into contact with one electrode of the battery, so that an electric current flows through a circuit including the battery and the LED, thereby illuminating the LED. A stick is firmly engaged with the push button member and thus, the push button member is pushed to make inclined surfaces of a cylinder-rotation sawtooth and an inclined protruding stopper, which are formed in a rotational cylinder, glide along the inclined surfaces of the cylinder-rotation side protrusions, thereby rotating the rotational cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Jin-Woong Kim
  • Publication number: 20030043574
    Abstract: A ratchet wrench and lighting circuit arrangement includes a ratchet wrench, the ratchet wrench having a hollow ratchet driving member mounted in a box at one end thereof, a holder shell fitted into the ratchet driving member and detachably secured thereto by a screw joint, and a lighting circuit assembly installed in the holder shell and controlled to emit light through a lens at a bottom side of the ratchet driving member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Chih-Ching Hsien
  • Publication number: 20030043575
    Abstract: A flashlight having a mechanism for preventing electrical contact members thereof from rusting comprises a battery frame including a plurality of slanted flexible bifurcation members for receiving one or more batteries, each bifurcation member having a recess proximate the electrode. In an unused position, batteries are disengaged from each other and from a bulb and a conductor coupled to bulb. While in use, by pushing a switch to hold bifurcation members upright in a secured position so that batteries, bulb, and conductor are electrically coupled together with electrodes and a protuberance of conductor inserted through recesses, thereby forming a circuit from bulb to conductor via batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Chiu Ming Ho
  • Publication number: 20030043576
    Abstract: A miniature two or three cell flashlight as disclosed to comprise a barrel, a tailcap, a head assembly, and means for holding a miniature lamp bulb for providing interruptible electrical coupling to dry cell batteries retained within the barrel and having a charger for charging the rechargeable batteries via conductors in the tailcap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Mag Instrument, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Maglica, Ralph Emsley Johnson, Armis L. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20030043577
    Abstract: A retaining device for an ornamental light has a plug, a clip and an ear. The plug is securely inserted into the seat and has two grooves formed on opposite sides of the plug. The clip is integrally formed with the plug and has two jaws extending perpendicular to the plug and parallel to each other. The ear is integrally formed with the plug and is opposite to the clip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Jeou-Nan Tseng
  • Publication number: 20030043578
    Abstract: A sound activated illuminated holder for finding objects such as glasses, combs, napkins, etc. in the dark. The audibly activated holder has a base, a body portion and a first and second illumination end for illuminating the holder and any retained objects to improve visibility at a distant for a user. The body portion of the holder includes a cavity having a predetermined volume for holding a variety of objects. At least one sound sensor is mounted within the base of the device for sensing audible sounds from a user within a predetermined sensing range or distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Lloyd E. Lessard
  • Publication number: 20030043579
    Abstract: An array of distinctively shaped translucent members are selectively placed on LED lamps of a decorative light string to create a novel display. Each member is made of a flexible translucent plastic material having a distinctive shape and a recess for receiving the LED bulb. The shape of the members include, but are not restricted to, flowers or other objects from nature, religious or national symbols, astronomical or zodiac objects and symbols, geometric shapes, and depictions of structures such as historical buildings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Zhu Jian Rong, Zhu Weibing
  • Publication number: 20030043580
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gallery lamp structure, wherein a plurality of vertical conducting wires are connectedly hung on a transversal conducting wire through connection seats. The bottom end of each of the vertical conducting wires is connected with a color light bulb set. The vertical conducting wires of different lengths are utilized to let the light bulb sets connected therewith and of different heights form a decorative pattern. The present invention has the characteristics of delicacy and diversification to enhance its decorative effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Min-Hsun Hsu
  • Publication number: 20030043581
    Abstract: Disclosed is a combination vehicle jack and directable light source. The light source provides one or more beams of light which are independently directable relative to the base of the jack. The light source may be battery powered, pivotal, flexible, and/or detachable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Robert R. Finnigan
  • Publication number: 20030043582
    Abstract: A laser diode array light source includes a plurality of semiconductor diodes attached to a first substrate, with each diode having an aperture for emitting an output of light positioned on a side of the diode, the side being generally perpendicular to the first substrate. A second substrate is positioned adjacent to the first substrate and includes a plurality of reflective surfaces for redirecting each of the outputs of light. In this way, the light from the plurality of diodes can be commonly directed to provide a directional light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Ball Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Kin Foong Chan, Wenhui Mei, Takashi Kanatake, Akira Ishikawa, Toshio Matsushita
  • Publication number: 20030043583
    Abstract: An electrodeless lighting apparatus using microwave comprises: a waveguide for transmitting microwave generated in a magnetron; a mesh screen coupled to an outlet portion of the waveguide for blocking a leakage of the microwave and passing light; a bulb located in the mesh screen for emitting light by generating plasma by the microwave; and a globe installed on outer area of the mesh screen so that the light generated in the bulb can be radiated to omnidirection, that is, the globe is installed around the bulb instead of a reflector and a light guide which are used in the conventional art, and thereby, a structure of the lighting apparatus can be made simply and an omnidirectional lighting can be performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Jae-Jin Lee, Young-Jin Bae, Geun-Young Park
  • Publication number: 20030043584
    Abstract: A light source cooling system having a double exhaust fan for a projector comprising: a light source formed with an interior region and an exterior region; a first exhaust fan; and a second exhaust fan, wherein the first exhaust fan and the second exhaust fan form two airstreams in the interior region and the exterior region respectively for cooperatively cooling the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Nien-Hui Hsu, Ching-Chug Nien, Sen-Ming Hsu
  • Publication number: 20030043585
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting installation, in particular as a danger light, obstruction light or day and night marker, having at least one luminaire, with at least one lighting means (13) being arranged in a housing. According to the invention, the lighting means (13) is annular or semi-annular in design and defines a ring axis (19). Furthermore, the lighting means (13) is assigned at least one reflector surface (11) which encircles an axis of rotation (21) entirely or in part. Finally, ring axis and axis of rotation run essentially parallel or even coaxial to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Ralph Rohlfing, Wolfgang Serfass
  • Publication number: 20030043586
    Abstract: A thermally conductive lamp reflector is provided that dissipates heat from a light source within the reflector. The reflector assembly includes a shell having a metallized layer on its surface. The shell is made from a composition including about 30% to about 80% by volume of a base polymer matrix and about 20% to about 70% by volume of a thermally conductive filler material. The reflector has a thermal conductivity of greater than 3 W/m° K and preferably greater than 22 W/m° K. The reflectors can be used in automotive headlamps, flashlights, and other lighting fixtures. A method of forming the lamp reflector is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: E. Mikhail Sagal, Kevin A. McCullough, James Miller
  • Publication number: 20030043587
    Abstract: A decorating lamp unit which can be assembled as a desk or table lamp or as a wall lamp in a simple and convenient manner. The present invention discloses a decorative lamp comprising a support frame, a first shade and a light bulb assembly. More particularly, the present invention discloses a decorating lamp unit that is wall mountable by fixing the support frame to a wall, or the lamp may be free-standing when placed on a surface with three contact points contacting said surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: ILLUMINATION S.L.E. INC.
    Inventor: Simon L. Elster
  • Publication number: 20030043588
    Abstract: A head lamp's optical axis control system for a vehicle includes a vehicle speed sensor, steering angle sensor, a navigator, an actuator for swiveling the optical axis, a first control circuit for controlling the actuator to swivel the optical axis according to the vehicle speed signal and the steering angle thereby providing a first illumination range and a second control circuit for controlling the actuator to swivel the optical axis according to the vehicle speed and the front road-shape presented by the navigator thereby providing a second illumination range. If it is judged that the front road-shape is not covered by the first illumination range beforehand, the second control circuit controls the actuator to cover the road-shape by the second illumination range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Yasutoshi Horii
  • Publication number: 20030043589
    Abstract: A vehicle rearview mirror system includes a rearview mirror assembly having an electro-optic reflective element, a housing for the reflective element and a control establishing a reflectance level of the reflective element. The control includes a circuit board having opposite sides and at least two photo-sensors on one of the sides. The system further includes at least one light conduiting element adapted to expose one of the at least two photo-sensors to a light environment that is different from the light environment to which the other of the at least two photo-sensors is exposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Rodney K. Blank
  • Publication number: 20030043590
    Abstract: An apparatus including at least one LED mounted to a printed circuit board, a reflector including at least one heat stake, and a mounting plate comprising at least one aperture for receiving the at least one heat stake. The at least one LED is positioned between the reflector and the mounting plate such that the at least one LED is held in position when the at least one heat stake is received within the at least one aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Jeremy A. Walser, Kenton J. Ypma, Daniel J. Bostwick, John K. Roberts, Robert Steel, Steven J. Miskelley, Darin D. Tuttle
  • Publication number: 20030043591
    Abstract: A lightweight and compact headlamp adjuster is constructed primarily from plastic materials. The adjuster may include a VHAD that is non-recalibratable after the headlamp aim is factory set. The adjuster includes an input shaft that engages a gear located within a housing. When the input shaft is rotated, a ball stud moves linearly to adjust the headlamp to which it is connected. The adjuster is not subject to over-adjustment when it includes a clutching mechanism provided by the interaction of the ball stud with the gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: John E. Burton
  • Publication number: 20030043592
    Abstract: Vehicle lamp housing assembly that uses a multiple-piece adhesive track to secure the components together. The assembly and seal can be formed in a single operation. The invention eliminates conventional fastening means such as welding, snaps, screws and nuts, as well as extra operations that would otherwise increase the cost of the finished product. In a preferred embodiment, the same adhesive that is used to seal the lens to the housing is also used for assembly of the components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Dirk-Martin Skirha, Christopher J. Kirchenbauer
  • Publication number: 20030043593
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp which radiates light by indirect illumination using a plurality of LED light sources and which has an improved appearance when the lamp is lit. Light from a plurality of LED light sources is formed into parallel light fluxes by a plurality of Fresnel lenses, and the parallel light fluxes are reflected toward the front of the lamp by a segmented reflector. The LED light sources and the lenses are divided into first and second groups which form respective light fluxes directed in orthogonal directions in a front view of the lamp. The reflecting surface of the reflector is divided into a plurality of segments, and first and second reflective elements, which reflect the parallel light fluxes from the respective lens groups, are provided in each of the segments. With this structure, a portion of all reflective elements can be seen brightly when viewing the lamp from a position directly in front of the lamp and within certain angular limits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Amano
  • Publication number: 20030043594
    Abstract: A traffic light comprises a lampshade having a base, a copper plate placed on an inner side of the base and a plurality of LEDs. The copper plate is aligned with 5-45° angle with respect to the base of the lampshade. The LEDs are arranged on the copper plate. The traffic light uses less number of LEDs and has enhanced security.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Chen-Lun Hsing Chen, Po-Hsien Lee, I-Hsiang Li
  • Publication number: 20030043595
    Abstract: A luminaire includes a frame member, an inner panel, light emitting diodes (LEDs), an information carrier, and two outer panels. The inner panel has two surfaces and edges that join the two surfaces such that the inner panel is able to reflect light substantially perpendicularly to its two surfaces. The LEDs are arranged along at least one edge of the inner panel and are detachably attached to the frame member. The information carrier is associated with at least one surface of the inner panel. The two outer panels are associated with the two surfaces of the inner panel. To protect the luminaire against environmental influences and at the same time to maintain the optical appearance of the luminaire, the inner panel and the two outer panels are held by the frame member for water-tight encapsulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Wilfried Luig, Stefan Volpert
  • Publication number: 20030043596
    Abstract: A voltage regulator and a control method are provided. The voltage regulator has a power converter, a switch, a transformer, and a switching control device. The power converter is electrically connected to a power source for providing a voltage to compensate the output voltage of the voltage regulator when the output voltage is higher or lower than a predetermined level. The transformer is electrically connected to the switch for being used as a variable voltage source and the connecting configuration of the switch is determined by the input voltage. Also, the switching control device is electrically connected to the power converter for causing the voltage to have a phase shift with the input voltage and the inner product of the voltage and the input current being a positive value. The related control methods are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Fu-Sheng Pai, Ming-Tsung Tsai
  • Publication number: 20030043597
    Abstract: A bi-directional DC-to-DC power converter is provided. The power converter has three modes of operation: (1) a step-down mode, in which the power converter converts power in a first direction (such as from a high-voltage power bus to a low-voltage power bus), and (2) a step-up mode, in which the power converter converts power in the opposite direction (such as from the low-voltage power bus to the high-voltage power bus), and (3) an off mode, in which no power is transferred. A single power converter may therefore be used to replace both a conventional step-down converter and a conventional step-up converter. The power converter may provide a battery charge-control functionality, and may be used to charge a battery that may, for example, provide a source of power to a component of an electrical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Jonathan Betts-LaCroix
  • Publication number: 20030043598
    Abstract: The three-phase hybrid ac-voltage/ac-voltage direct converter includes two symmetrical interruptible electronic switches. Each switch includes only one power transistor and a one-phase diode bridge. As a result, only 12 power transistors are required to realize the overall system. During the changeover of a positive input terminal from one system phase to system, an output section is temporarily switched to a free-wheeling state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Johann Walter Kolar
  • Publication number: 20030043599
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter, a regulation method for a DC-DC converter and a switched-mode power supply are proposed. The DC-DC converter comprises an inverter and a primary-side circuit with a transformer whose secondary-side voltage is rectified by at least one rectifier for generating an output DC voltage. To avoid an asymmetrical load, which is in particular exhibited by a different load of the rectifier elements (power semiconductors), an electrical magnitude of the DC-DC converter is measured. This magnitude may be, for example, a primary-side current, a primary-side voltage at a capacitance, or a secondary-side, rectified voltage. From the measurement of the magnitude is calculated a parameter for the symmetry deviation for which different symmetry measuring methods are proposed. A symmetry regulation arrangement utilizes the drive of the inverter, for example, the duty cycle of the pulse width modulated voltage produced by the inverter to minimize the parameter for the symmetry deviation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas Duerbaum, Reinhold Elferich, Georg Sauerlaender
  • Publication number: 20030043600
    Abstract: A switching power supply includes a transformer having a primary winding connected to a pair of a.c. input terminals via a rectifier circuit, and a secondary winding connected to a pair of d.c. output terminals via a rectifying and smoothing circuit. Connected between the pair of outputs of the rectifier circuit via an inductor and part or whole of the transformer primary, a primary switch is turned on and off at a repetition frequency higher than the frequency of the a.c. input voltage. A soft-switching circuit is provided which comprises a transformer tertiary, an ancillary switch, a capacitor, and diodes for zero-voltage switching of the primary switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Sanken Electric Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Koichi Morita
  • Publication number: 20030043601
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to trim current limit (Ip) and frequency (f) to maintain a constant maximum power. In one aspect of the invention, a power supply regulator having a peak current limit detection threshold and an operating frequency is disclosed. The peak current limit threshold or the operating frequency are adjusted specifically to maintain the Ipm·fn product substantially constant from one power supply controller to another where m is substantially equal to 2 and n is substantially equal to 1. In another aspect of the invention, the power supply regulator has a control circuit having a control threshold current. The peak current limit threshold or the operating frequency are adjusted specifically to maintain the product of Ipm·fn divided by the control threshold current substantially constant from one power supply controller to another where m is substantially equal to 2 and n is substantially equal to 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Balu Balakrishnan, Alex B. Djenguerian, David Michael Hugh Matthews
  • Publication number: 20030043602
    Abstract: A switching power supply includes a transformer having a primary winding connected to a pair of a.c. input terminals via a rectifier circuit, and a secondary winding connected to a pair of d.c. output terminals via a rectifying and smoothing circuit. Connected between the pair of outputs of the rectifier circuit via an inductor, reverse-blocking diode, and part or whole of the transformer primary, a primary switch is turned on and off at a repetition frequency higher than the frequency of the a.c. input voltage. A soft-switching circuit is provided which comprises a serial connection of a transformer tertiary, an ancillary diode and an ancillary switch. This serial circuit is connected in parallel with the serial connection of the transformer primary and primary switch for zero-voltage switching of the primary switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Sanken Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Morita, Toshiyuki Yamagishi
  • Publication number: 20030043603
    Abstract: The invention relates to a frequency converter for an energy flow from a three-phase network to a consumer for medium and high output voltages, with variable frequency, current and voltage outputs, fed from secondary windings of a transformer with one or more cells per output phase (R, S, T). For each output phase, each identical cell has a diode input rectifier circuit, an active harmonic filter, an intermediate-circuit capacitance, and a three-point DC/AC converter on the output side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: SEMIKRON ELEKTRONIK GmbH
    Inventor: Dejan Schreiber
  • Publication number: 20030043604
    Abstract: An inverter 3 is controlled by feeding back an output voltage waveform for stabilizing the output and circuitry simplification. The output waveform of an inverter 3 is supplied to a CPU 5 to generate a correction of the reference sine waveform signal RS which is then used for producing a desired form of PWM signal. The output waveform is A/D converted by a converter 18 which comprises two modules 19 and 20 before transferred to a processor 50. The output waveform is received by two channels of each of the modules 19 and 20. As the input channels are sampled in a sequence, their waveforms are A/D converted at intervals of a time in each sampling period and can thus be improved in the resolution of A/D conversion. Since the modules 19 and 20 are operated at different timings lagged slightly from each other, the resolution can be increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Motohiro Shimizu, Masashi Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20030043605
    Abstract: The voltage applied to a power converter is detected by a voltage detector, a function generator produces a voltage proportional to this detected voltage, and a high-pass filter detects an AC component superimposed on the voltage. An adder adds a bias voltage to this AC component, and an adder adds the output from the adder and the output from the function generator. The output from the adder is compared with a triangular wave produced from a rectangular wave generator, and a switching element is controlled to make switching operation according to the compared result. When a DC current is decreased by the AC component, a resistance current Ib is increased so that the AC components superimposed on the current and resistance current can be cancelled out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Ishida, Toshiaki Okuyama, Tetsuo Kojima, Kiyoshi Nakata, Akira Horie
  • Publication number: 20030043606
    Abstract: An adjustable speed drive for single-phase induction motors has a low-cost structure including a rectifier and a two-switch inverter. During full-speed operation, power is supplied directly from the AC power system to the main winding of the motor and from the inverter at line frequency but phase-shifted from the line voltage to an auxiliary winding of the motor to develop start up torque for the motor. In one or more lower speed operating modes, power is supplied from the inverter at a lower frequency directly to the main winding and through a phase-shifting capacitor to the auxiliary winding of the motor. Low cost switching devices may be used in the inverter since they are not required to switch the full-speed power of the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas A. Lipo, Miroslav Chomat
  • Publication number: 20030043607
    Abstract: Passive circuitry for controlling the current drawn from an AC line and delivering a rectified voltage to a load includes a bridge rectifier, a filter capacitor, a range selector switch for configuring the rectifier and filter capacitor in either a full wave rectification or a voltage doubling configuration, and inductances between the rectifier and the capacitor. Inductances may be alternatively connected between the AC line and the rectifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Patrizio Vinciarelli, Alan R. Rockenbach
  • Publication number: 20030043608
    Abstract: A power circuit in an uninterruptible power supply system is provided. The power circuit arranged in an uninterruptible power supply system has a charging circuit for providing a stable voltage to charge an energy storage device, an energy recovery circuit for causing one winding of a transformer short-circuited to release an energy storage in the transformer of the power circuit, and an output voltage feedback control circuit for obtaining a voltage proportional to an output voltage by a coupling effect of the transformer during a discharging process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Tien-Fu Huang
  • Publication number: 20030043609
    Abstract: The voltage applied to a power converter is detected by a voltage detector, a function generator produces a voltage proportional to this detected voltage, and a high-pass filter detects an AC component superimposed on the voltage. An adder adds a bias voltage to this AC component, and an adder adds the output from the adder and the output from the function generator. The output from the adder is compared with a triangular wave produced from a rectangular wave generator, and a switching element is controlled to make switching operation according to the compared result. When a DC current is decreased by the AC component, a resistance current Ib is increased so that the AC components superimposed on the current and resistance current can be cancelled out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Seiji Ishida, Toshiaki Okuyama, Tetsuo Kojima, Kiyoshi Nakata, Akira Horie
  • Publication number: 20030043610
    Abstract: For use in a system in which a capacitor is connected between an AC machine and an inverter in order to improve the power factor, a controller for an AC machine capable of even when the overvoltage occurs due to the self-excitation between the AC machine and the capacitor, reactivating stably the inverter to continue the running. When the operation of the inverter is stopped and then the inverter is reactivated, the manipulation of starting the switching of the inverter is performed after a DC voltage of the inverter has been decreased to the operating voltage in the running, whereby the reactivation is performed stably without stopping the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Yoshitoshi Akita, Toshiaki Okuyama, Koichiro Nagata, Shigetoshi Okamatsu
  • Publication number: 20030043611
    Abstract: A circuit and a method for controlling light emitting diodes (D1, D2) for illumination involve an inverter whose output frequency can be varied. The inverter includes two electronic switches (S1,S2) which convert an applied direct current voltage (Uo) into an alternating voltage. A load circuit is connected to the output of the inverter and includes a resonance element and at least one light emitting diode (D1, D2) whose brightness is controlled by altering the output frequency of the inverter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: TridonicAtco GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Reinhard Bockle, Peter Hein
  • Publication number: 20030043612
    Abstract: The present invention is a semiconductor device wherein a logic chip having prescribed functions and a memory chip for storing data are mounted in a common package, wherein the logic chip and memory chip are connected through such memory access terminals which are a control signal terminal, address terminal, and data terminal and the like, and the logic chip has a logic circuit having the prescribed functions and a memory chip testing circuit for performing operation tests on the memory chip. The logic chip also has a selector-output circuit for selecting a memory access signal from the logic circuit and a memory testing access signal from the memory chip testing circuit to output the selected signal to the memory access terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Katsuya Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20030043613
    Abstract: A memory module comprising a printed circuit board having mounting locations for a plurality of memory chips. A line driver having a plurality of outputs for each input is used to drive address and control signals to the chips, with each set of outputs coupled to a subset of the chips. Memory access time is improved by limiting subset size and thereby limiting driver loading. Subsets may correlate to banks of memory chips. Access time is substantially the same for a module with a plurality of banks of memory chips as it is for a module with only one bank of chips. Computer memory may be efficiently exchanged by using only such memory modules, allowing higher clock speed since the range of memory access times is reduced and requiring no change to system memory configuration or settings. Memory modules having differing capacities can be easily interchanged in the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Drew G. Doblar, Han Y. Ko