Patents Issued in March 6, 2007
  • Patent number: 7187105
    Abstract: A transducer includes a Langevin type vibrator, a bending vibrator, and a ring-like member. The Langevin type vibrator has a construction in which a front mass, a cylindrical vibrator, and a rear mass are provided in tandem, and those elements are tightened by a bolt. The bending vibrator is provided apart from the front mass. The ring-like member is provided in outer peripheral portions of the front mass and the bending vibrator to couple the front mass and the bending vibrator to each other. The transducer generates a large sound pressure over a wide frequency band since a sound wave radiation surface is wide and its amplitude amount is large.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Shiba
  • Patent number: 7187106
    Abstract: The present invention provides a positioning mechanism and an exposure apparatus that can be used in a vacuum ambience and has a damping function with small degassing and small dust creation. A positioning mechanism according to the present invention, when used with first and second members, serve to position the second member with respect to the first member, wherein the positioning mechanism include a positioning portion capable of relatively positioning the second member relative to the first member, and an attenuating material provided at least at a portion of a periphery of the positioning portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoto Fuse, Hiroshi Ito, Makoto Mizuno
  • Patent number: 7187107
    Abstract: Provided is a closed-loop feedback control positioning stage comprising at least one block formed therein, a plurality of hinge mechanisms for attaching the block in the stage, at least one actuator formed in the block, the actuator adapted to bend for moving the block in at least one direction, and a plurality of strain gauges each attached in a corresponding hinge mechanism for measuring its strain. The invention can repeatedly position the block at the moved location for carrying out a highly precise positioning of the stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Yi-Ming Chu, Wei-Han Wang, Chao-Chi Wu
  • Patent number: 7187108
    Abstract: The invention is constructed such that, in an ultrasonic probe in which a peripheral side face of a piezoelectric plate is covered with a shielding case, and an acoustic matching layer is provided on an ultrasonic wave transmission reception face including the piezoelectric plate and the shielding case, there is provided a voltage proof material on a tip side of the shielding case including at least an aperture end face. Moreover, the piezoelectric plate may be a divided type ultrasonic probe which is divided into two by a shielding plate, and the voltage proof material is provided on the tip side of the shielding plate including the end face. The voltage proof material may be a polyimide tape. As a result, it is possible to provide an ultrasonic probe which has a shielding function, and in which destruction of the acoustic matching layer caused by the applied voltage is prevented. Thus, excellent voltage endurance is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasunobu Hasegawa, Yoshihiro Tahara
  • Patent number: 7187109
    Abstract: Overlapped electrodes of an electrical component are dimensioned in such a way that when there is translational displacement of one electrode in relation to the electrode situated opposite, their area of overlap remains within a manufacturing tolerance ?/2, and also remains constant within the tolerance limits when there is a simultaneous rotation of the electrodes with respect to one another. This is achieved in that the intersecting edge pairs of the overlapping electrodes are designed parallel to one another, whereby the length, measured in the direction parallel to the respective edge pair, of the corresponding electrode everywhere exceeds by ? the corresponding length of the area of overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Epcos AG
    Inventors: Pasi Tikka, Ralph Stömmer, Edgar Schmidhammer, Habbo Heinze
  • Patent number: 7187110
    Abstract: In a first embodiment a spark plug satisfying the relations: t?0.3 mm and St/Sw?7 in which t is the axial-direction shortest distance between a leading end surface 41a of a precious metal tip 41 and a joint portion 43, St is the surface area of the precious metal tip 41 and a joint portion 43 between the precious metal tip 41 and the ground electrode body 4a, and Sw is the area of the joint portion 43 between the ground electrode body 4a and the precious metal tip 41. In a second embodiment, the spark plug satisfies the relations t?0.3 mm and La>Lb; and in a third embodiment the spark plug satisfies the relations t>T and La>Lb, where T, La and Lb are as defined in the specification. The relation t?0.3 mm is specific to the first and second embodiments, and the relation St/Sw?7 is specific to the first embodiment only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7187111
    Abstract: A mounting structure for an arc tube within an outer envelope of an HID lamp, including an elongated frame supported at one end by a stem assembly and a stem clamp having one or more frame retaining tabs crimped around a portion of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Lighting Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Johanning
  • Patent number: 7187112
    Abstract: A field emission cold cathode device of a lateral type includes a cathode electrode and gate electrode disposed on a major surface of a support substrate laterally side by side. The cathode electrode and gate electrode have side surfaces which oppose each other, and an emitter is disposed on the opposite side surface of the cathode electrode. The emitter includes a metal plating layer formed on the cathode electrode, and a plurality of granular or rod-shaped micro-bodies. The micro-bodies are consisting essentially of a material selected from the group consisting of fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, graphite, a material with a low work function, a material with a negative electron affinity, and a metal material, and are supported in the metal plating layer in a dispersed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Masayuki Nakamoto
  • Patent number: 7187113
    Abstract: A cathode ray tube includes a shadow mask having a faceplate portion and a skirt portion. The faceplate portion includes an apertured portion. A frame is provided having a supporting portion and a bottom portion that extends by width Da from the short side of the supporting portion. Da satisfies the relation Da<Ha×La/P+Na, where La represents a distance between a center point of the faceplate portion and a short side of the apertured portion, Na represents a distance between the short side of the apertured portion and a short side of the border of the faceplate portion, P represents a distance between the electron beams deflection center and the center point of the faceplate portion, and Ha represents a distance between the short side of the border of the faceplate portion and a short side of a rear end line of the supporting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: LG.Philips Displays Korea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Yoon Park, Jong Eon Choi, Pyeong Soo Jeong
  • Patent number: 7187114
    Abstract: An electron emitter has an emitter section formed on a substrate, and a cathode electrode and an anode electrode formed on a same surface of the emitter section. A slit is formed between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode. A drive voltage from a pulse generation source is applied between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. The anode electrode is connected to the ground. A charging film is formed on a surface of the anode electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihisa Takeuchi, Tsutomu Nanataki, Iwao Ohwada
  • Patent number: 7187115
    Abstract: An electron emission display device includes first and second substrates facing each other with a predetermined distance therebetween, an electron emission unit formed at the first substrate, and an image display unit formed at the second substrate. A grid electrode is disposed between the first and the second substrates and has a plurality of beam guide holes arranged in a first predetermined pattern, and spacer insertion holes arranged in a second predetermined pattern. Spacers are inserted into the respective spacer insertion holes of the grid electrode, and are fitted between the first and the second substrates. The size of each of the spacer insertion holes is larger than the outer size of each of the spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyeong-Rae Seon
  • Patent number: 7187116
    Abstract: A bottom emission type electroluminescent display in which light emitted from a light emitting layer undergoes constructive interference between a first electrode and a second electrode. The bottom emission type electroluminescent display has a transparent substrate, a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode are formed on the same side of the transparent substrate. The electroluminescent display also has a medium layer interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and includes a light emission layer that emits light when the first electrode and the second electrode are electrically driven. The first electrode is formed as a translucent conductive layer that partially reflects the light emitted from the light emission layer and the second electrode is formed as a reflection layer that reflects the light emitted from the light emission layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kwan-Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 7187117
    Abstract: A method for forming a pixel-defining layer on an OLED panel is disclosed. The method comprising (A) providing a substrate; (B) forming a plurality of first electrodes in parallel stripes; (C) forming a layer of photosensitive polyimide or polyimide precursor compositions with patterns; and (D) baking said substrate with patterned photosensitive polyimide or polyimide precursor compositions for crosslinking or curing. An OLED panel made by above method is also disclosed here.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Ritek Display Technology Co.
    Inventor: Tien-Rong Lu
  • Patent number: 7187118
    Abstract: An organic electroluminescent display (ELD) device includes first and second substrates having a plurality of sub-pixels defined thereon, the first and second substrates being spaced apart from and opposing each other, an array element layer on the first substrate, the array element layer having a plurality of thin film transistors corresponding to each sub-pixel, a first electrode on an inner side of the second substrate, an organic light-emitting layer beneath the first electrode, a second electrode corresponding to each sub-pixel beneath the organic light-emitting layer, a plurality of electrical connecting patterns corresponding to each sub-pixel between the array element layer and the second electrode, the electrical connecting pattern being formed of material having a plastic deformation property, and a seal pattern formed on one of the first and second substrates, wherein a height of the electrical connecting pattern is smaller than an original height of the electrical connecting pattern measured befor
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Yong Park, Nam-Yang Lee, Budiman Sastra
  • Patent number: 7187119
    Abstract: A covered substrate is described, which comprises: (a) a flexible substrate layer; and (b) a plurality of cooperative barrier layers disposed on the substrate layer. The plurality of cooperative barrier layers further comprise one or more planarizing layers and one or more high-density layers. Moreover, at least one high-density layer is disposed over at least one planarizing layer in a manner such that the at least one high-density layer extends to the substrate layer and cooperates with the substrate layer to completely surround the at least one planarizing layer. When combined with an additional barrier region, such covered substrates are effective for enclosing organic optoelectronic devices, such organic light emitting diodes, organic electrochromic displays, organic photovoltaic devices and organic thin film transistors. Preferred organic optoelectronic devices are organic light emitting diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Universal Display Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Stuart Weaver
  • Patent number: 7187120
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an organic electroluminescent display panel includes the steps of: forming first electrodes on the substrate; forming organic layers by deposition; forming different light emitting layers for different luminous colors in desired areas; and forming second electrodes; wherein the organic layers are formed by an angle deposition method which performs deposition at more than a predetermined angle to the normal of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Tohoku Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Isamu Ohshita, Ryuji Murayama
  • Patent number: 7187121
    Abstract: For realizing an organic luminescence device of a high efficiency, the present invention provides an organic luminescence device having an anti-reflection film on a transparent electrode or on a moisture prevention layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshinori Hasegawa, Shuichi Kobayashi, Hikaru Hoshi
  • Patent number: 7187122
    Abstract: An active matrix electroluminescence display device and a method for fabricating the same, whereby damage caused by UV light rays during the fabrication process can be prevented, are disclosed. The active matrix electroluminescence display device includes a plurality of transistors formed on a substrate having an emissive area and a non-emissive area defined thereon, an insulating layer formed on the substrate and the thin film transistors, a metallic protective layer formed on the insulating layer of the non-emissive area, a first electrode formed on the insulating layer of the emissive area, an electroluminous layer formed on the first electrode, and a second electrode formed on the electroluminous layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Chang Nam Kim
  • Patent number: 7187123
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided that includes an organic panel, including a platform made of an electrically nonconductive material; a first electrode on the platform; an organic active layer on the first electrode; a second electrode on the organic active layer; and a first alignment structure, in addition, a driver panel is provided and includes a substrate; a driver circuit formed on the substrate; and a second alignment structure for coupling with the first alignment structure to position the organic panel and driver panel in substantial alignment, and to electrically couple the driver circuit to the organic active layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: DuPont Displays, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Douglas MacPherson
  • Patent number: 7187124
    Abstract: A photonic assisted emitter including an at least partially transparent electron source layer, a thin metal layer; and a tunneling layer disposed between said at least partially transparent electron source layer and said thin metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Timothy F. Myers, John Chen, Chien-Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 7187125
    Abstract: A plasma display panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate mounted opposing the first substrate with a predetermined gap therebetween to thereby form a vacuum assembly, and barrier ribs formed between the first substrate and the second substrate, the barrier ribs defining discharge cells. The barrier ribs are formed so as to provide radial exhaust paths for each of the discharge cells. Moreover, the barrier ribs are configured dimensioned and arranged so as to maximize the exhaust efficiency of the plasma display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cha-Keun Yoon, Jung-Keun Ahn, Min-Sun Yoo
  • Patent number: 7187126
    Abstract: A plasma display panel may be provided having metal and auxiliary metal electrodes formed such that brightness and efficiency are improved. A plasma display panel may include transparent ITO electrodes and metal electrodes. The transparent ITO electrodes are spaced in parallel to each other at a predetermined distance within a discharge cell. The metal electrodes are formed on the transparent ITO electrodes and in parallel to the transparent ITO electrodes. Central portions of the metal electrodes are closer to a central portion of the discharge cell than central portions of the transparent ITO electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jungwon Kang, Woong Kee Min
  • Patent number: 7187127
    Abstract: A plasma display panel comprising a first substrate and a second substrate with a first dielectric layer formed on a surface of the first substrate and a second dielectric layer formed on a surface of the second substrate. A plurality of barrier ribs are interposed between the first and second substrates to provide a discharge space and a non-discharge space. A protection layer comprising MgO is formed on an area of the second dielectric layer over the discharge space, and an exothermal inhibition layer is formed on an area of the second dielectric layer over the non-discharge space. The protection layer may also be comprised of MgO and an exothermal inhibition material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Se-Jong Kim, Seok-Gyun Woo
  • Patent number: 7187128
    Abstract: A joined body is provided, including a first member having a first joining face and sapphire exposed at the first joining face and a second member having a second joining face and sapphire or polycrystalline alumina exposed at the second joining face. The first member and second member are joined by providing a raw material for the joining material between the first and second members and heat treating the raw material at a temperature of 1730° C. or lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventor: Norikazu Niimi
  • Patent number: 7187129
    Abstract: High pressure vapor discharge lamp provided with a discharge vessel. The discharge vessel encloses a discharge space provided with a filling of mercury and a rare gas, for example, in a gastight manner. An electrode is arranged in the discharge space for generating and maintaining a discharge therein, while the electrode comprises a rod electrode having an enlarged head at its end which projects into the discharge space. According to the invention, the enlarged head comprises a preformed electrode projection having an at least substantially conical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.
    Inventor: Martinus Johannes Piena
  • Patent number: 7187130
    Abstract: A linear electron beam tube comprises an electron gun having a cathode and a grid, and an anode arranged in a first portion of a drift tube. The drift tube is within a vacuum envelope and has first and second portions separated by a gap at which point an electron beam, density modulated with an input RF signal is inductively coupled to an output cavity. The vacuum envelope is partially defined by a cylindrical ceramic wall and a pair of ferromagnetic pole pieces at its ends that form a DC magnetic circuit. The pole pieces extend radially beyond the vacuum envelope. At least those parts of the surface of the pole pieces that are in the RF path are coated with a layer of relatively low RF loss material such as copper. A balance ring separates the ceramic from the pole pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: E2V Technologies (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Edward Stanley Sobieradzki, Stephen Bardell, Steven Aitken, Alan Wheelhouse
  • Patent number: 7187131
    Abstract: An arc discharge light source (10) for automotive headlight applications comprises an arc tube (12) having a hollow body (14) arrayed along a longitudinal axis (16) and provided with first and second ends (18, 20). The first and second ends have, respectively, first and second jointure areas (22, 24) with the hollow body (14). Electrodes (26, 28) are sealed respectively in each of the first and second ends (18, 20). An arc generating and sustaining medium is contained within the hollow body. a low-voltage-pulse starting aid (30) is associated with the arc tube and comprises an electrically conductive member (32) having an intermediate portion (34) and proximal and distal ends (36, 38). The intermediate portion (34) extends the length of the hollow body (14) and the proximal and distal ends (36, 38) each terminating in a loop (40, 42) comprised of a single turn of electrically conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventor: A. Bowman Budinger
  • Patent number: 7187132
    Abstract: A ballast (10) for powering at least one gas discharge lamp (20) having lamp filaments (22,24) comprises an inverter (200), an output circuit (300), a filament heating control circuit (400), and a dimming control circuit (500). Filament heating control circuit (400) is coupled to the dimming control circuit and at least one of the inverter and the output circuit. During operation, filament heating control circuit (400) controls the inverter and output circuit such that heating of the lamp filaments is provided during a preheat mode that occurs prior to ignition of the lamp, and during a dimming mode that optionally occurs after ignition of the lamp and that includes operating the lamp at a current level that is substantially less than a rated normal operating current of the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania, Inc.
    Inventor: Shashank S. Bakre
  • Patent number: 7187133
    Abstract: An organic electroluminescent display device includes a gate line receiving a gate signal, a data line crossing the gate line, the data line receiving a data signal, a first transistor switching the data signal according to the gate signal, the first transistor being turned on during a single horizontal scan time period having first and second sub-periods, a second transistor switching a source voltage according to the data signal and connected to the first transistor, a storage capacitor connected to a first node between the first and second transistors and connected to the source voltage, a third transistor switching a first voltage signal and connected to the second transistor, the first voltage signal having different voltage levels during the first and second sub-periods of the scan time period, and an organic electroluminescent diode connected to a second node between the second and third transistors and connected to a ground voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: L.G.Phillips LCD Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Du-Hwan Oh
  • Patent number: 7187134
    Abstract: A system and method for illuminating a light source, particularly a vehicle light source. The light source receives a voltage signal causing the light source to be illuminated. A triggering circuit detects the voltage signal. If the voltage signal is at or below a predetermined value, then the triggering circuit maintains a switch closed so that the light source continuously receives the voltage signal. If the voltage signal goes above the predetermined value, the triggering circuit opens and closes the switch in a pulsed manner where the voltage signal applied to the light source is on during the pulses and off between the pulses so that the brightness of the light source remains substantially constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Schefenacker Vision Systems Germany GmbH
    Inventor: Volker Zipf
  • Patent number: 7187135
    Abstract: A high intensity discharge (HID) lamp electronics controller including a reverse protection circuit and a control protection module. The control protection module includes an under/over voltage protection circuit and an open-circuit and short-circuit protection circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Newman Lau Man Yiu
  • Patent number: 7187136
    Abstract: A circuit for controlling power to a high intensity discharge lamp is disclosed. The circuit according to one embodiment of the invention comprises a rectifier circuit coupled to receive an alternating current line voltage, and a boost/flyback converter coupled to the rectifier circuit which outputs a regulated DC bus voltage. A power control circuit also couples a feedback signal to the boost/flyback converter to regulate the power output of the boost/flyback converter. A method of controlling power to a high intensity discharge lamp is also disclosed. The method comprises steps of generating a DC voltage for the high intensity discharge lamp by way of a boost/flyback converter; monitoring the DC voltage and the current generated in the boost/flyback converter; and modifying the power output by the boost/flyback converter to regulate power based upon the voltage and the current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald M. Fiorello
  • Patent number: 7187137
    Abstract: A ballast (10) for powering at least one gas discharge lamp (40) includes an EMI filter (100), a full-wave rectifier (200), a DC-to-DC converter (300), an inverter (400), an output circuit (500), and a microcontroller (600). In response to an output ground-fault condition wherein at least one output terminal (502,504,506,508) of the ballast (20) is shorted to earth ground, the microcontroller (600) directs the DC-to-DC converter (300) to remain in a non-operating mode wherein the output voltage of the DC-to-DC converter (600) is substantially zero, thereby protecting the inverter (400) from damage. Preferably, the microcontroller (600) monitors a voltage across a DC blocking capacitor (530) within the output circuit (500) prior to startup of the DC-to-DC converter (300) in order to determine if an output ground-fault condition is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania, Inc.
    Inventor: Naveen Yadlapalli
  • Patent number: 7187138
    Abstract: The invention provides an excimer lamp apparatus that has advanced start-up properties, in terms of start-up time and start-up stability, in the presence of voltage variations, without any trigger electrode, by arranging a pair of electrodes along the entire length of a discharge container. An ultra-violet emitter is arranged to irradiate discharge gas in the discharge container with ultra-violet light, and the excimer lamp is started up by means of exposure with ultra-violet light from the ultra-violet emitting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Hoya Candeo Optronics Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuo Kogure
  • Patent number: 7187139
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for driving a lamp are provided. In one embodiment, an inverter having four switching elements is split into two inverter arms that are deployed at separate terminals of a floating lamp structure to achieve even light output. A controller drives both inverter arms such that power switching lines do not cross the floating lamp structure. In one embodiment, the controller adjusts the brightness of the lamp structure by adjusting the phase difference between outputs of a first inverter arm relative to a second inverter arm. In one embodiment, the controller adjusts the brightness by symmetrically pulse width modulating the outputs of the first inverter arm and the second inverter arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Microsemi Corporation
    Inventor: Xiaoping Jin
  • Patent number: 7187140
    Abstract: An efficient and flexible current-mode driver delivers power to one or more light sources in a backlight system. In one application, the current-mode driver is configured as an inverter with an input current regulator, a non-resonant polarity-switching network, and a closely-coupled output transformer. The input current regulator can output a regulated current source in a variety of programmable wave shapes. The current-mode driver may further include a rectifier circuit and a second polarity-switching network between the closely-coupled output transformer and a lamp load. In another application, the current-mode driver delivers power to a plurality of light sources in substantially one polarity by providing a regulated current to a network of time-sharing semiconductor switches coupled in series with different light sources coupled across each semiconductor switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Microsemi Corporation
    Inventor: Newton E. Ball
  • Patent number: 7187141
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for illumination of liquids in a variety of environments. In one example, multi-color LED-based light sources are employed to achieve a wide range of enhanced lighting effects in liquids. In another example, a pool or spa is illuminated by one or more multi-color light sources that may be employed as individually and independently controllable devices, or coupled together to form a networked lighting system to provide a variety of programmable and/or coordinated color illumination effects in the pool or spa environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Color Kinetics Incorporated
    Inventors: George G. Mueller, Frederick M. Morgan, Ihor A. Lys, Kevin J. Dowling
  • Patent number: 7187142
    Abstract: A drive unit for controlling a motor includes a position feedback device and a velocity noise filter. The position feedback device is operable to generate a position signal relating to a position of the motor. The velocity noise filter is coupled to the position feedback device and operable to filter the position signal over a predetermined number of samples to generate a velocity feedback signal for the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Rehm
  • Patent number: 7187143
    Abstract: A mover device and an ion implanter apparatus having a processing base that reciprocates at a high speed without undesirable noise and vibration are provided. The mover device includes: a fixed base; a movable base that is linearly movable with respect to the fixed base; a processing base that is linearly movable with respect to the movable base; a main linear motor that generates a moving force to move the processing base with respect to the movable base, thereby moving the processing base with respect to the fixed base; and a velocity control unit that controls the moving velocity of the processing base with respect to the fixed base. In this mover device, the movable base is moved by virtue of a reaction force caused by the moving force to move the processing base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Sumitomo Eaton Nova, Corporation
    Inventors: Keiji Okada, Yoshitomo Hidaka, Michiro Sugitani, Junichi Murakami, Fumiaki Sato, Mitsukuni Tsukihara, Suguru Hirokawa, Masamitsu Shinozuka
  • Patent number: 7187144
    Abstract: A power source supplies an input voltage. A voltage conversion circuit converts the input voltage from the power source into an operating voltage to be used to drive an electric load. A detection circuit measures an insulation resistance value on the output side of the voltage conversion circuit. A control circuit controls a voltage conversion ratio in the voltage conversion circuit, which is expressed as a ratio of the operating voltage to the input voltage, in accordance with the insulation resistance value detected by the detection circuit. The control circuit sets the voltage conversion ratio such that the operating voltage becomes lower at the time of degradation of an insulation resistance than at the time of normal operation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nakayama
  • Patent number: 7187145
    Abstract: Control parameters can be easily and precisely adjusted, the response of a motor controller can be highly accurately made at high speed and a vibration can be suppressed to a low level. Even when an inertia is varied during an operation or a viscous friction is high, the inertia or a viscous friction coefficient can be identified by a control parameter adjusting unit (18) for performing a calculation on the basis of a torque command Tref and the speed Vfb of a motor. As a result, control parameters can be easily and precisely adjusted and the response of a motor controller can be highly accurately carried out at high speed and a vibration can be suppressed to a low level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Tsuruta, Thalmann Guillaume
  • Patent number: 7187146
    Abstract: An opening-and-closing control device is disclosed, in which speed of an opening-and-closing body can be increased even while automatic operation is performed. The device includes an operation knob that performs opening-and-closing control of an opening-and-closing body according to an instruction from an operation switch which is switchable to each of positions of “automatic closing”, “manual closing”, “neutral”, “manual opening” and “automatic opening”, wherein first the operation knob is operated to start the automatic opening operation, and then when the operation knob is held in the position of the “automatic opening”, an opening speed of the opening-and-closing body is increased according to a time period for which the operation knob is held in the position of the “automatic opening”, therefore the opening-and-closing body can be opened at high speed even while the automatic opening operation is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Sachihiro Saito, Takeshi Yasuda
  • Patent number: 7187147
    Abstract: A current detecting switching element is connected to an output circuit having switching elements making a bridge connection, current flowing to the switching element is detected by a current detection circuit in response to a torque command signal, a PWM signal generation circuit generates a PWM signal according to the output, a synthesizing circuit synthesizes the output of a power switch circuit for determining an energized phase to a motor coil and the output signal of the PWM signal generation circuit, and PWM operation of a first state and a second state is repeated to control current supply to the motor coil. The first state enables current supply to the motor coil when the switching element on one side is conducting, the switching element on the other side is nonconducting, and the current detecting switching element is conducting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoharu Yokouchi
  • Patent number: 7187148
    Abstract: Disclosed is a controller for restraining vibration of a driven element driven by a servomotor. The driven element driven by the servomotor is provided with acceleration detecting means. A correction value is obtained by multiplying a detected acceleration value detected by the acceleration detecting means by a coefficient. Correction is made by subtracting the correction value from a velocity command, and velocity feedback control is executed in a velocity control processing section to obtain a current command. Further, the servomotor is driven by current control processing, whereupon the driven element is moved. If the detected acceleration value is increased by vibration of the driven element, the velocity command is corrected to restrain the vibration, so that the vibration of the driven element can be restrained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Tadashi Okita, Yukio Toyozawa, Hiroyuki Kawamura, Satoshi Ikai
  • Patent number: 7187149
    Abstract: A system for controlling a commutation of a load current is provided. The system comprises a AC-to-AC converter that includes a plurality of switching elements, an energy source that provides an oscillating voltage and is connected to the converter, an electrical load connected to the converter, and a controller that controls the converter, and monitors the oscillating voltage and the load current delivered to the electrical load. The controller determines a plurality of machine states of the converter, each of the plurality of machine states representing a corresponding conducting set of the plurality of switching elements, and controls switching between the plurality of machine states based on polarity commutations of the load current in the electrical load and polarity commutations of the oscillating voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Robert S. Balog, Jr., Philip T. Krein
  • Patent number: 7187150
    Abstract: A barrier movement operator is having a position sensor in a telescoping barrier control arm is described. A controller, remote from the arm, senses the barrier position to identify limits of barrier travel and to control rate of travel of the barrier between limits. The operator includes both optical and edge sensor obstruction detectors and is responsive to wireless communication for receiving user initiated command signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Robb, Richard Hill, William Gioia, Edward Kukulski
  • Patent number: 7187151
    Abstract: A conveyor unit (2) including a driving roller (5), a motor (30) for powering the driving roller (5), and a controller (10) adapted to adjust the motor (30) so as to control the driving roller (5), the motor (30) including a permanent magnet and an armature having a plurality of armature coils (32a–32c), and the controller (10) having an interrupter (15) adapted to repeat shunting and deshunting of at least one of the coils (32a–32c) and a rotation detector (17) adapted to detect an externally forced rotation of the motor (30) in response to an electromotive force induced in at least one of the coils (32a–32c), wherein in the case that the motor (30) is not driven, the controller (10) maintains operations of the interrupter (15) and outputs a presence signal by determining conveyance of an article (W) into an area powered by the motor (30) upon detection of the rotation of the motor (30) by means of the rotation detector (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Itoh Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Itoh, Yoshio Inoue
  • Patent number: 7187152
    Abstract: An AC servo drive without current sensor includes a PI (proportional integration) controller, at least two first-order controllers (polar point and zero point), a decoupling compensator, a coordinate converter, a pulse width modulator, a counter and a speed estimator. The AC servo drive is connected with a servomotor to form an AC servo module. The servomotor comprises an encoder receiving a current command signal from the servo module to function as input current command signal or the d, q axes PI controller and the decoupling compensator. The voltage command signal generated by the d, q axes PI controller and the signal generated by the decoupling compensator form a control signal and input to the coordinate converter. The signal output from the coordinate converter is processed by PWM controller to control the servomotor. Therefore, the deterioration of servo motor control caused by temperature drift and cost can be solved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Delta Electronic Inc.
    Inventor: Chin-Shiong Tsai
  • Patent number: 7187153
    Abstract: In a motor-driven power steering apparatus, a plurality of rotational position detecting sensors are provided in an electric motor, and during an abnormality in any one rotational sensor, the electric motor can be driven by using a detected result of any other one rotational position detecting sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Showa Corporation
    Inventors: Harunori Imagawa, Yoshitaka Kubo, Akira Fujisaki
  • Patent number: 7187154
    Abstract: The present invention provides a motor drive apparatus capable of calculating an angular velocity and a rotation angle accurately in the entire rotation velocity range of a motor using a cheap Hall sensor having an inferior accuracy without using an expensive resolver having a high accuracy. The present invention includes a first angular velocity calculating means for calculating the angular velocity based on the back-EMF of the motor when it rotates at low speeds and a second angular velocity calculating means for calculating the angular velocity based on a signal from the Hall sensor when it rotates at high speeds. According to the present invention, the angular velocity and rotation angle can be calculated accurately in the entire rotation speed range using the Hall sensor under hybrid usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignees: NSK Ltd., NSK Steering Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: CaoMinh Ta, Shuji Endo, Hideyuki Kobayashi, Masahide Saito