Patents Issued in July 24, 2007
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Patent number: 7247972Abstract: There is disclosed a diaphragm structure that includes: a ceramic substrate 3 in which at least one opening 2 is formed, and a thin diaphragm portion 4 having a shape protruding on a side opposite to the opening 2 and constituted of a ceramic fired integrally with the ceramic substrate 3 in such a manner as to cover the opening 2. An opening shape of the opening 2 is a shape including at least one tip portion 5 in a longitudinal direction, having a curved shape, and a tapered portion 6 whose opening width gradually narrows toward the tip portion 5 and which is constituted of a curve or a straight line, and a portion of the diaphragm portion 4 corresponding to the tapered portion 6 has such a shape that a protruding height gradually lowers toward the tip portion 5.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.Inventors: Tsutomu Nanataki, Kunihiko Yoshioka
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Patent number: 7247973Abstract: A moving mechanism using a piezoelectric actuator is attached by an adhesive with adhesive parts of a constant area between a piezoelectric element and a slider and between the piezoelectric element and a suspension. A movable part, serving as the slider, is moved by the piezoelectric actuator. A support part, serving as a gimbal part of a suspension, supports the piezoelectric actuator. At least one of the movable part and the support part is fixed to the piezoelectric element. At least one of the piezoelectric element, the movable part and the support part has a bonding surface that is defined by a level difference.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Masaharu Hida, Shigeyoshi Umemiya
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Patent number: 7247974Abstract: Active connection element for connecting at least two structural components with a first end with a first connection area assigned to the first structural component and a second end with a second connection area assigned to the second structural component, a load-diminishing intermediate section through which intermediate section the flux of force between the first and second connection areas extends when the connection element is loaded, in which at least one controllable extension actuator having at least a piezo stack is arranged parallel to the intermediate section. When operated, the piezo stack extends the connection element at least in the area of the intermediate section in a controlled manner in order to actively suppress or insulate vibrations between the structural components. A prestressing device having a prestressing element exercises a compressive prestressing onto the piezo stack.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Eurocopter Deutschland GmbHInventors: Horst Bansemir, Stefan Emmerling
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Patent number: 7247975Abstract: Provided is a thin-film piezoelectric element which reduces the influence of an oxide film left on the electrode film on the degradation of element characteristics, and a method of making the thin-film piezoelectric element. The thin-film piezoelectric element has ZrO2 as the main component of the outermost layer of the oxide film which covers the laminate. Young's modulus of the ZrO2 is 190 GPa, giving a significantly low value compared with Young's modulus of MgO, 245 GPa. Consequently, the influence of the oxide film on the reduction in the displacement magnitude of the piezoelectric film is smaller than the influence of the MgO thin film left in the conventional thin-film piezoelectric element. As a result, the thin-film piezoelectric element decreases the influence of the oxide film on the degradation of element characteristics compared with the conventional thin-film piezoelectric element.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: TDK CorporationInventors: Kenichi Tochi, Takao Noguchi, Hiroshi Yamazaki, Ken Unno, Masahiro Miyazaki, Shigeru Shoji
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Patent number: 7247976Abstract: A piezoelectric vibrator having excellent shock resistance and high reliability is offered. The centers of first and second piezoelectric vibrating plates are supported by pillars on a main surface of an enclosure and nearly or substantially parallel to the main surface of the enclosure. Spacers having a Young's modulus of less than 2 GPa are mounted on both end sides of the second piezoelectric vibrating plate to prevent contact between the vibrating plates, thus preventing damage. Other spacers are mounted on the main surface of the enclosure in positions corresponding to the first-mentioned spacers to prevent contact with the main surface of the enclosure, thus preventing damage to the second piezoelectric vibrating plate.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2006Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Taiyo Yuden Co., Ltd.Inventors: Norikazu Sashida, Humihisa Itoh, Shigeo Ishii, Yoshiyuki Watanabe
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Patent number: 7247977Abstract: Ultrasonic processing apparatus and methods are disclosed, which includes multiple transducers of at least two different resonant frequencies supplying ultrasonic energy to a liquid filled tank containing components to be cleaned or processed ultrasonically. The transducers are arranged in equilateral triangular patterns along diagonal lines on a wall of the tank so that each transducer has an adjacent transducer of a different frequency. Alternatively, the apparatus includes one or more rod transducers having different resonant frequencies so that the apparatus provides a mixture of various frequencies of ultrasonic energy to the tank. Another aspect of the invention involves selecting transducers with different resonant frequencies that are outside an excluded subrange, and powering the transducers by a driving signal that sweeps through the resonant frequencies of the transducers and the excluded subrange.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Inventor: J. Michael Goodson
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Patent number: 7247978Abstract: The invention relates to piezoelectric resonators. An interposer element is used between a resonating plate and the resonator package to provide improved (i.e. reduced) acceleration sensitivity. The interposer element is preferably of similar thermal expansion characteristics to the resonating plate. Electrical connection to the resonating plate from the exterior of the package is preferably provided via the interposer element.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Rakon LimitedInventors: Brent J. Robinson, Michael McIlroy, Olexandre A. Boyko, Phil Brownie
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Patent number: 7247979Abstract: A holder for a transducer having a mounting portion, a coupler, and a clamping portion is disclosed. The mounting portion has a through hole with a conical seat disposed therein, with at least a portion of the through hole being configured to receive the transducer. The coupler is secured to the transducer and has a first interface surface configured to sit on the conical seat, and a second interface surface disposed on an opposite side to that of the first interface surface. The clamping portion has a through hole and a clamping surface, at least a portion of the through hole is configured to receive the transducer, and the clamping surface is configured to press against the second interface surface of the coupler. The clamping portion and mounting portion are configured to securely capture the coupler therebetween, thereby securely positioning the transducer relative to the mounting portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: GE Security, Inc.Inventor: John A. Umina
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Patent number: 7247980Abstract: Disclosed is an emitter composition of a field emission cell that is printed on a cathode substrate of a display to be applied to an electron emission source, including a carbon nanotube, a binder, glass frit, a dispersing agent and an organic solvent, characterized by further having 0.1–20 w % of diamond. Further, a manufacturing method of the emitter composition and a field emission cell using the emitter composition are also provided. In the current invention, since the field emission cell has the carbon nanotube and the diamond distributed simultaneously therein, it has a relatively high current density even at the same driving voltage, thereby improving emitting properties. In addition, the field emission cell is advantageous in terms of superior printability and stable field emission, while reducing various expenses required to operate and repair constitutive parts thereof.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Iljin Idamond Co., LtdInventors: Yang Woon Na, Gwang Bae Kim
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Patent number: 7247981Abstract: In an image forming apparatus utilizing an electron emitting device, a guard electrode for preventing a creepage discharge from an anode electrode is provided without causing an abnormal discharge with a spacer. A guard electrode positioned at a predetermined distance (x) from a metal back constituting an anode electrode is positioned at such a distance (Lg) from a spacer as not to cause a discharge according to a ratio (x/hs) of the distance x and a height (hs) of a spacer.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Koji Yamazaki
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Patent number: 7247982Abstract: There is provided an organic EL display device comprising: an underlying layer, including at least one layer formed of organic materials, formed on a substrate; organic EL elements formed thereon; and each leading electrode from the organic EL element for an electrical interconnection to an electrode of an interconnection object. In the display device, each connecting region is formed by removing the layers formed of organic materials, of the underlying layer, at a location of a thermocompression bonding for the electrical interconnection. This enables a reliable electrical interconnection between the leading electrode and the electrode of the interconnection object, thereby allowing a good display performance of each organic EL element to be kept.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2003Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Tohoku Pioneer CorporationInventors: Isamu Ohshita, Teruichi Watanabe, Kunizo Ogoshi
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Patent number: 7247983Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for manufacturing a light-emitting element in which decrease over time in emission efficiency of the light-emitting element having a structure in which an organic compound is sandwiched between a pair of electrodes is suppressed and long-life thereof can be enhanced. It is a method for manufacturing a light-emitting element having a plurality of layers composed of an organic compound between a pair of electrodes, wherein a processing to expose to an atmosphere including oxygen is performed after or before forming at least one layer of the plurality of layers. Note that the plurality of layers includes a light-emitting layer, and is composed of the light-emitting layer and at least one or more layers selected from a hole injecting layer, a hole transporting layer, a hole blocking layer, an electron transporting layer, and an electron injecting layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kaoru Tsuchiya, Hisao Ikeda
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Patent number: 7247984Abstract: In an electroluminescence element, a layered structure is employed for an upper electrode including a first upper conductive layer formed through evaporation, a buffer layer, and a second upper conductive layer formed through sputtering. By interposing the buffer layer between the first and second upper conductive layers, damages to a light emitting element layer formed below the upper electrode and containing an organic material or the like having a low resisting characteristic against sputtering environment can be prevented while a high level of a charge injection efficiency to the light emitting element layer is maintained for charges such as electrons and holes, and, at the same time, a conductive layer can be formed with superior coverage and uniformity, to a sufficient thickness, and with superior productivity. The buffer layer may have a multi-layer structure.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kenji Tanase, Ryuji Nishikawa
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Patent number: 7247985Abstract: A semiconductor light-emitting device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a light-emitting layer formed on the semiconductor substrate; a current-blocking layer formed on a part of the light-emitting layer for restricting light-emission; a current-spreading layer formed on the current-blocking layer and the other part of the light-emitting layer; a front electrode formed on the current-spreading layer; and a rear electrode formed on a rear side of the semiconductor substrate. The current-blocking layer is composed of a central region and an outer region which surrounds the central region via a part of the current-spreading layer, so that a light-emitting region that appears on a front surface of the device has an annular shape. The front electrode and the central region of the current-blocking layer are opposed to each other.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuaki Kaneko, Hiroshi Umeda, Kazuaki Sasaki, Junichi Nakamura
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Patent number: 7247986Abstract: An organic electro luminescent display with auxiliary layers on a cathode contact and an encapsulating junction region to easily remove polymer organic layers of the junction and a method for fabricating the same. The organic electro luminescent display has the first electrode formed on a lower insulating substrate, a pixel defining layer formed to make some portions of the first electrode opened over the entire surface of the lower insulating substrate, an organic emission layer formed on an opening of the first electrode, the second electrode formed on the organic emission layer, an upper substrate for encapsulating the first electrode, the organic emission layer and the second electrode, and auxiliary layers formed on the cathode contact and the encapsulating junction region of the lower insulating substrate.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Samsung SDI. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tae-Min Kang, Myung-Won Song, Seong-Taek Lee, Jin-Woo Park, Hun Kim
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Patent number: 7247987Abstract: Disclosed is a rear plate of a plasma display panel. In the rear plate, a dielectric layer or a barrier wall layer is formed by forming slurry in a tape of a green tape and then attaching the green tape to upper surfaces of electrodes and a glass substrate. Therefore, a PDP employing a rear plate according to the present invention has superior electric and optical characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2002Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: LG Micron Ltd.Inventor: Jae-Chil Seo
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Patent number: 7247988Abstract: A plasma display panel for improving a color coordinates correction and a color temperature is disclosed. In the plasma display panel, a vertical barrier rib separates red, green and blue discharge cells from each other in a longitudinal direction. A horizontal barrier rib is provided between the vertical barrier ribs to separate the red, green and blue discharge cells from each other in a wide direction. The horizontal barrier rib has a first horizontal barrier rib provided between the red discharge cells, a second horizontal barrier rib provided between the green discharge cells, and a third horizontal barrier rib provided between the blue discharge cells and having a smaller width than the first and second horizontal barrier ribs.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Gi Bum Lee, Jin Young Kim
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Patent number: 7247989Abstract: There is disclosed a gas discharge display device comprised of microspheres containing ionizable gas, each microsphere being positioned within a cavity, well, or hollow. Photons from the gas discharge within a microsphere excite a phosphor such that the phosphor emits wavelengths in the visible and/or invisible spectrum. The invention is described in detail with reference to an AC gas discharge (plasma) display.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Imaging Systems Technology, IncInventor: Donald K Wedding
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Patent number: 7247990Abstract: An end closure member (1) with a feed-through (5) having a feed-through entry opening (8) and a feed-through exit opening (9) and connection means (10) for forming a gas-tight connection between the end closure member (1) and the feed-through (5), the feed-through entry opening (8) cross-section being larger than the feed-through exit opening (9), and the connection means (10) being located in the area of the feed-through exit opening (9).Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2003Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.Inventors: Albert Gootzen, Mark Bolech, Jean-Sebastien Straetmans, Johannes F. M. Cillessen
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Patent number: 7247991Abstract: A ballast lamp circuit and method of operation is disclosed. The ballast lamp circuit comprising an inverter circuit and cathode heating circuit, wherein a lamp current, generated by the inverter circuit, is inversely proportional to a lamp cathode voltage generated by the cathode heating circuit.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Timothy Chen, Didier Rouaud, James K. Skully
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Patent number: 7247992Abstract: For an ion accelerator system having a special magnetic field structure with an alternating predominantly longitudinal and crosswise progression of the magnetic field, a geometry of the ionization chamber having a non-cylindrical shape of the chamber wall that is adapted to the progression of the magnetic field is proposed.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2003Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Thales Electron Devices GmbHInventors: Günter Kornfeld, Gregory Coustou, Norbert Koch
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Patent number: 7247993Abstract: The invention relates to an ion accelerator arrangement which uses a combination of a magnetic field having a cusp structure and a cross-section of an ionisation chamber that is extended in one direction transversally in relation to the longitudinal axis. This enables the ionic current to be advantageously scaled.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2003Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Thales Electron Devices GmbHInventors: Günter Kornfeld, Gregory Coustou, Norbert Koch
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Patent number: 7247994Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatuses for mounting a wireless network component to a fluorescent light. The internal electronics of the wireless network component are contained within a housing. Attachment means are used to attach the housing to a fluorescent lamp. The attachment means may comprise a support tube removably attached to the housing. The support tube fits over the fluorescent lamp and attaches to the housing to secure the wireless network component to the fluorescent lamp. Alternatively, the housing may include power coupling pins on one side and fluorescent lamp pin connectors on the opposite side. The power coupling pins fit into one receptacle of the fluorescent light fixture and the pins of the fluorescent lamp are inserted into the fluorescent lamp pin connectors of the housing such that the wireless network component is mounted between the fluorescent lamp and the fluorescent light fixture.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: NxSteps CommunicationsInventor: Peter O. Roach, Jr.
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Patent number: 7247995Abstract: A semiconductor device in which electrostatic discharge damage during manufacturing steps is prevented. More specifically, a semiconductor device in which electrostatic discharge damage during a step in which the formation of a pixel electrode is completed is prevented. A semiconductor device of the invention comprises a light emitting element, a driving transistor and a protection means disposed between the light emitting element and the driving transistor. The protection means comprises as least one of a resistor element, a capacitor element and a rectifier element. More specifically, the protection means is disposed between a pixel electrode of the light emitting element and a source electrode or a drain electrode of the driving transistor. It is to be noted that the rectifier element is an element having a rectifying function and corresponds to a diode or a transistor whose drain electrode and gate electrode are connected to each other.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mitsuaki Osame, Aya Anzai, Yu Yamazaki
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Patent number: 7247996Abstract: The present invention is directed to decrease temperature rise in a power supply circuit in a standby mode by using existing signals and circuits while suppressing cost. In a power supply circuit having a power-factor improving circuit for improving a power factor seen from an AC power supply side, and a switching regulator constructed by a self-oscillating converter to which the power-factor improving circuit is connected on a primary side of a transformer and from which DC voltages for a load are output on a secondary side, a lamp turn-on permission signal to be supplied to a lamp driving circuit is detected by a signal detecting circuit. In a standby mode in which the lamp turn-on permission signal is not detected, operation of a PFC (Power Factor Correction) control unit provided in the power-factor improving circuit is stopped.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2006Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Isaya Morishita
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Patent number: 7247997Abstract: A driving circuit for driving an electroluminescent lamp is disclosed. The driving circuit includes an alternating current (AC) voltage generator for providing at an output an AC output voltage waveform for driving an electroluminescent lamp and a controller for controlling the phase and polarity of the AC output voltage waveform. The controller is operable to reverse the phase and polarity of the AC output voltage. In one embodiment, the AC voltage generator includes a transformer.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Inventors: Shing Cheung Chow, Lap Lee Chow, Lap Hang Chow
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Patent number: 7247998Abstract: A sensor system adapted to detect unwanted transients in the primary side of a luminous lamp load driving circuit and effect a change in operation of the driving circuit. A detection circuit is adapted to detect a transient, determine if it is an appropriate end-of-life lamp condition requiring action, and signal an inverter control circuit to provide for an adjustment or shut down of the load driving circuitry. The detection circuit is adapted to detect the transients across the direct current choke as repetitive transients occurring over a period of time. The inverter control circuit includes a negative voltage generator adapted to inhibit power flow into a transistor base inside the inverter. A modified start circuit is also provided with a restart inhibit circuit adapted to prevent the inverter from resuming normal operation after a shutdown condition has been detected.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2003Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Universal Lighting Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Tom Poehlman, Bryce Hesterman
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Patent number: 7247999Abstract: A smart dimmer for controlling the intensity of a lighting load from a source of AC power is operable to replace one of the three-way switches in a standard three-way lighting system without the need to replace the other three-way switch with a unique accessory switch. A simple rewiring is needed in the wallbox of the remaining three-way switch. In the resulting three-way lighting system, the smart dimmer is always coupled between the lighting load and the source and the remaining three-way switch is coupled between either of the load terminals of the dimmer and an accessory terminal of the dimmer. The remaining three-way switch acts to either couple or decouple an AC voltage from the accessory terminal. The smart dimmer is operable to detect a change in the state at the accessory terminal and toggle the lighting load on or off as a result of the change in state.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventor: Russikesh Kumar
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Patent number: 7248000Abstract: The invention relates to an operating device for operating high-pressure gas discharge lamps. Of particular concern is an operating device having a controller for start-up of high-pressure gas discharge lamps which provides a shorter start-up phase in comparison with the prior art. This is achieved by a lamp state detector which recognizes, after starting, that a hot lamp is present and thereupon increases the start-up current.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft für Elektrisch Glühlampen mbHInventors: Christian Breuer, Ralf Weidemann
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Patent number: 7248001Abstract: A night vision system including a power system having a low voltage unit coupled to a high voltage unit. The low voltage unit includes a low voltage controller and a low voltage table correlating pulse widths to step values. The low voltage unit transmits the step value to the high voltage unit in a pulse train having a period corresponding to a frequency. The high voltage unit including an opto-isolator for receiving the step value from the low voltage controller, a high voltage controller accessing a high voltage table correlating step value to pulse width and threshold. The high voltage controller generates control pulses at the frequency in response to the pulse width and the threshold.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Paul Neil Marshall, Craig Boucher
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Patent number: 7248002Abstract: A temperature profile storage unit stores a Vf-Ta table showing a relationship between a forward voltage Vf and am ambient temperature Ta of an LED element, and a Ta-Ifmax table showing a relationship between the ambient temperature Ta and a maximum tolerable current Ifmax. The forward voltage Vf of the LED element driven by a power supply is detected and fed to a feedback point determining unit. A temperature computing unit determines the ambient temperature from the detected forward voltage Vf. A driving current determining unit determines a maximum tolerable current Ifmax from the ambient temperature Ta thus determined, by referring to the Ta-Ifmax table, and supplies a command value defining a current to drive the LED element to a constant current source via a D/A converter. The constant current source adjusts the current to drive the LED element in accordance with the command value.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.Inventors: Isao Yamamoto, Yoichi Tamegai
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Patent number: 7248003Abstract: An electrostatic fluid accelerator includes a first number of corona electrodes and a second number of accelerating electrodes spaced apart from and parallel to adjacent ones of the corona electrodes. An electrical power source is connected to supply the corona and accelerating electrodes with an operating voltage to produce a high intensity electric field in an inter-electrode space between the corona electrodes and the accelerating electrodes. The accelerating electrodes may be made of a high electrical resistivity material, each of the electrodes having mutually perpendicular length and height dimension oriented transverse to a desired fluid flow direction and a width dimension oriented parallel to the desired fluid flow direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Kronos Advanced Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Igor A. Krichtafovitch
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Patent number: 7248004Abstract: A radiator blower, in particular for motor vehicles, is indicated that comprises a plurality of individual fans (11, 12), each having an electrical drive motor (13, 14), and a plurality of switches (S1, S2, S3), each capable of being switched over into two positions, by means of which the drive motors (13, 14) are capable of being turned on and back off individually or in a series or parallel connection. To prevent disturbing noises from developing when the individual fan (11, 12) comes to rest after being turned off, when the operating drive motor or motors (13, 14) is/are turned off, an electronic control unit (20) forces the switches (S1, S2, S3)—at least temporarily—over into switch positions that bring about a short-circuiting of the turned-off drive motor or motors (FIG. 1).Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2002Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Michael Strupp
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Patent number: 7248005Abstract: A dual motor arrangement includes a first motor M1, a first MOSFET Q1 constructed and arranged to control operation of the first motor, a second motor M2, a second MOSFET Q2 constructed and arranged to control operation of the second motor, an RFI filter structure L1, C_RFI, a freewheeling circuit L2, C2, and a controller S. The controller is constructed and arranged to provide a first PWM signal to the first MOSFET and a second PWM signal to the second MOSFET. The second PWM signal is in staggered time relation with respect to the first PWM signal. When one motor is in a freewheeling mode of operation for at least a portion of a time that the MOSFET, associated with the other motor, is on, freewheeling of the one motor decreases an amount of current drawn by the other motor during turn on of the other motor. The inductors L1, L2 can be coupled to define a transformer.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2006Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Siemens Canada LimitedInventor: John E. Makaran
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Patent number: 7248006Abstract: A system for controlling an electric motor comprises, in one embodiment, an encoder; a central processor in communication with said encoder; a module processor in communication with said central processor; feedback circuitry in communication with said module processor, wherein said encoder is an electronic device that provides rotor and stator positional information to said central processor, and further comprising a user interface in communication with said central processor, wherein said user interface enables a user to select preferred operational parameters for an electric motor. Another embodiment comprises a method for controlling an electric motor, comprising: determining rotor position based on data received from an encoder; determining how to energize stator coils; directing a power module to provide appropriate current to appropriate coils; and monitoring rotor response, wherein determining how to energize stator coils comprises consulting a look-up table.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2003Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: XIDEM, Inc.Inventors: James L. Bailey, Kyle J. Bunch
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Patent number: 7248007Abstract: A control system for an electromechanical drive in a vehicle has a motor (29) whose connections (24, 25) are connected to the assigned control elements (2, 3) of a bridge circuit, a control circuit (21) with signal connections (12, 13) at which control signals are provided for controlling the control elements, a return circuit (6) through which information about the operating state of the motor (29) is returned to the control circuit (21) in order to monitor the functioning of the motor, wherein the signal connections (12, 13) can be switched as output or as input, the information about the operating state is returned through the return circuit (6) to these signal connections that can be switched as input or as output, and the control circuit has a monitoring program (21) that records and evaluates the returned information about the operating state during a monitoring phase in which the signal connections (12, 13) are switched as input.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2006Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Gregor Svobodnik
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Patent number: 7248008Abstract: Am improved shaded pole A.C. motor with dynamic brake that includes a secondary high resistance winding that is selectively connected to a D.C. source when the A.C. voltage is removed. To stop a motor the A.C. voltage applied to the motor is removed with tandem switches that apply the D.C. voltage immediately upon removal of the A.C. voltage or the D.C. voltage can be selectively applied subsequently. The brake winding produces a magnetic flux in the same core where the main stator winding produces the magnetic flux responsible for causing the rotor to move. The brake winding can be connected in parallel during the time the A.C. voltage is applied to increase of the combined windings' inductance (resulting in an overall higher torque) and/or in series when during the braking operation when the D.C. voltage is applied to increase the combined winding's resistance (limiting further the peak D.C. current or reducing the secondary winding size).Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Inventor: Michael D. Cummins
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Patent number: 7248009Abstract: A system and method of controlling motor temperature is based on computed motor power dissipation and a thermal model of the motor, rather than a measured motor temperature, in a control loop that limits the motor drive to prevent overheating. An ambient temperature sensor senses the ambient temperature near the motor, and a determination is made of the motor power dissipation. The motor winding temperature is estimated based on the sensed ambient temperature and the determined motor power dissipation. A maximum motor power dissipation that would raise the motor temperature to a predetermined maximum temperature value is determined based on the estimated temperature. The motor power dissipation is limited to a value that is below the determined maximum power dissipation.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Robert S. Sundquist
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Patent number: 7248010Abstract: A wiper controller includes: a sensor for detecting a waterdrop on a windshield; a wiper for wiping the windshield; and control means for controlling operation of the wiper. The control means monitors a waterdrop reflection when the sensor detects the waterdrop. The waterdrop reflection is a diffuse reflection of light. The control means operates the wiper with an intermittent wiping operation having a time interval in such a manner that the time interval in a case where the control means decides nonexistence of the waterdrop reflection is set to be longer than the time interval in a case where the control means decides existence of the waterdrop reflection.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2006Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: DENSO CorporationInventor: Katsunori Michiyama
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Patent number: 7248011Abstract: The invention relates to a drive unit for automatically actuating a tailgate of a motor vehicle. Connecting the drive unit (4) to the vehicle door (1) or to a transmission device (6) by means of an output shaft (5), said transmission device executing a pivoting movement which corresponds to the pivoting movement of the vehicle door (1), and the drive unit (4) comprising at least one first sensor device (7), which can be connected to an electronic evaluation device (21) and serves to detect the respective angular position of the vehicle door (1). In order to make use of the advantages of an incrementally operating position measurement system of the vehicle door (1), in which, recalibration is necessary not only after the end positions of the vehicle door (1) are reached following a power cut.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Valeo Sicherheitssysteme GmbHInventors: Stephan Schachtl, Ralf Reczko, Matthias Martin, Dietmar Bellenbaum, Thomas Vögerl
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Patent number: 7248012Abstract: Set the first temporary attitude of an end effector for a plurality of work points (step S3). Determine the attitude of an articulated robot at one-end first work point out of a plurality of work points (step S4). Determine the attitude of an articulated robot at the other-end final work point out of a plurality of work points (step S5). Set the second temporary attitudes of an end effector respectively for the other work points so that the attitude of an end effector gradually changes from the first work point toward the final work point (step S6). Correct the first temporary attitude with the second temporary attitude (step S7).Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koji Takahashi, Shinji Aoki, Yutaka Mitsuhashi
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Patent number: 7248013Abstract: A motor drive circuit is provided and includes: a PWM wave generation circuit for generating a PWM (pulse-width-modulated) wave having a high frequency, whose pulse width has been modulated, in response to a rotational frequency control signal used for driving a motor; a switching element (FET) that receives an input of a PWM wave output from the PWM wave generation circuit and performs switching operation; and a current resonance circuit including an inductance and a capacitor. Current resonance is induced in response to power of a battery cell imparted by means of operation of the switching element. A value falling within the range of 60 to 90 KHz, which is 1.1 to 1.7 times as large as a switching frequency 54 KHz of the switching element, may be selected and set for the resonance frequency.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2006Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Fujinon CorporationInventors: Hidenori Takahashi, Koichi Nagata
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Patent number: 7248014Abstract: A motor control system capable of securing stability and rapidity of motion even in a machine where the stability varies in accordance with a position of a driven member. The driven member and a motor for driving the driven member are operatively connected through a transmission mechanism including a nonlinear element such that a rate of change of the position of the driven member with respect to the position of the motor varies in dependence on the position of the motor. Optimum values of multiplier factors of operation constants with respect to the position of the driven member or the rotational position of the motor for the position control and the velocity control are stored in a data table. The values of the multiplier factors of the operation constants for a present position of the driven member or a present position of the motor are determined using the data table and the determined values of the multiplier factors are multiplied by reference operation constants to update the operation constants.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2003Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Fanuc LtdInventors: Eiji Genma, Yasusuke Iwashita, Hiroyuki Kawamura
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Patent number: 7248015Abstract: A control system and method for controlling the speed of a PSC motor having an auxiliary winding configured to provide torque for initial motor startup and a run winding configured to provide continuous motor operation. The motor is coupled to a capacitor configured to direct a portion of a current through the run winding when the PSC motor reaches its intended speed. The control system includes a speed control unit coupled between a voltage line and the PSC motor and a bypass circuit coupled between the voltage line and the capacitor via a first path. The speed control unit is configured to variably control the speed of the PSC motor. The bypass circuit is configured to receive a control signal from the speed control unit via a second path and to regulate a chopped voltage wave form generated by the speed control unit such that at least a portion of the chopped voltage wave form is not applied to the capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Hoffman Controls Corp.Inventors: Howard P. Byrnes, Jr., Walter W. Bowman
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Patent number: 7248016Abstract: A motor controller including an inverter including plural switching elements that are subjected to PWM control to generate sine waves of plural phases, a motor including a stator coil supplied with the sine waves thus generated so that rotational magnetic field is generated in the stator coil, and a rotor that is rotationally driven by the action of the rotational magnetic field generated by the stator coil, a storage unit for detecting the sine waves of the respective phases generated in the inverter and storing a correction amount for each phase that is calculated on the basis of the detection result so that the sine waves of the respective phases are coincident with one another and a correcting unit for correcting a PWM signal for carrying out the PWM control on the switching elements on the basis of the correction amount thus calculated.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Kenichiro Hidaka, Mikihiro Hiramine, Motoshi Kawai, Toshio Tsutsui, Masahiro Miyata, Takahiro Kojo
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Patent number: 7248017Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for transferring power without requiring direct electrical conductive contacts. There is provided a primary unit having a power supply and a substantially laminar charging surface having at least one conductor that generates an electromagnetic field when a current flows therethrough and having an charging area defined within a perimeter of the surface, the at least one conductor being arranged such that electromagnetic field lines generated by the at least one conductor are substantially parallel to the plane of the surface or at least subtend an angle of 45° or less to the surface within the charging area; and at least one secondary device including at least one conductor that may be wound about a core. Because the electromagnetic field is spread over the charging area and is generally parallel or near-parallel thereto, coupling with flat secondary devices such as mobile telephones and the like is significantly improved in various orientations thereof.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Spashpower LimitedInventors: Lily Ka-Lai Cheng, James Westwood Hay, Pilgrim Giles William Beart
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Patent number: 7248018Abstract: A personal refueling station for a personal-sized electric vehicle has a polygonal base structure housing a refueling system and a plurality of flat panels hinged thereto which open to form a flat surface and close up to an upright pyramid for storage. The flat panels have solar PV arrays mounted on their inside surfaces which generate electricity from sunlight in the open position. The electricity is used to generate hydrogen for hydrogen-fuel-cell vehicles, or is stored for recharging non-hydrogen electric vehicles. Alternatively, hydrogen or electricity may be provided from an external renewable power source. The station can also have utility hookups to provide excess hydrogen or electricity to an external energy usage, such as a home, business, or other station. The personal refueling station has a compact design that can be installed at home or business locations. It is designed to accommodate a personal-use electric vehicle such as an electric car or cart or a personal VTOL hovercraft.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: UFOZ, LLCInventors: John K. Sanders, Jr., J. Kenneth Sanders, Jeffrey Sanders
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Patent number: 7248019Abstract: A cordless power tool such as a power staple gun 1 includes a power supply circuit of an electric double layer capacitor 8 and a lithium-ion battery 11. In a standby state, the lithium-ion battery charges the electric double layer capacitor, and at a switch on time, the electric double layer capacitor supplies large current to the motor 5. By combining the lithium-ion battery with high energy density and the electric double layer capacitor capable of discharging large current, it is possible to greatly reduce the size and weight as compared with a case where a nickel-cadmium battery or a nickel-hydrogen battery is used. Besides, since the electric double layer capacitor has a very long lifetime, the running cost can also be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2003Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Max Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinichi Ookubo, Atsushi Matsuoka, Syuichi Ishii
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Patent number: 7248020Abstract: A first voltage source terminal, to which a first voltage is input, is connected to a maximum voltage terminal of serially-connected secondary batteries to be monitored. A second voltage source terminal, to which a second voltage is input, is connected to a minimum voltage terminal of the secondary batteries. A battery-voltage detecting unit outputs a detection signal based on a result of a voltage monitoring. A first reference-voltage generating unit receives the first and the second voltages as operating voltages, and generates a first reference voltage. A voltage converting unit receives the detection signal, and converts the detection signal received into either the first reference voltage or the second voltage. An output terminal outputs the detection signal converted, as an output detection signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignees: Renesas Technology Corp., Yashima Denki Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takao Hidaka, Yoshiyuki Nakagomi
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Patent number: 7248021Abstract: Constructing a battery pack by: providing a resin sheet (40) to cover a release opening (20a) of a safety vent (20) formed on a sealing plate (23); integrating a rechargeable battery (2) and a circuit substrate (3) with a primary molding (11) by filing a resin between the rechargeable battery (2) and the circuit substrate (3); and then forming a secondary molding (12). In such constructed battery pack, an ejected gas, at the operation of the safety vent (20) of the battery pack, is externally released through an interface between the resin and metal.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2003Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Katsumi Kozu, Takeshi Ishimaru, Satoshi Kataoka, Koichi Toriyama, Iichiro Mori