Patents Issued in September 25, 2007
  • Patent number: 7274119
    Abstract: A first yoke member is received on a first reference plane defined on a support body. A second yoke member is coupled to the first yoke member so as to define a space for accommodation of a voice coil between the first and second yoke members. The second yoke member is opposed to a second reference plane, different from the first reference plane, defined on the support body. A screw member is engaged with the second yoke member for movement in the direction intersecting the second reference plane. The second yoke member is received on the second reference plane of the support body based on the movement of the screw member. Even if a gap happens to exist between the second yoke member and the second reference plane due to dimensional errors, the second yoke member is reliably supported on the support body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Yoshinori Ogawa
  • Patent number: 7274120
    Abstract: A drive unit for performing precise linear movement of a driven object comprises a motor having a cylindrical stator and a cylindrical rotor that is coaxially put in the cylindrical stator and capable of rotating relatively to the cylindrical stator, a movable barrel for holding a driven object mounted for rotation in the cylindrical rotor, a motion transformation mechanism comprising an internal helical groove formed in the cylindrical rotor and an external helical thread formed on the movable barrel which engage with each other so as to cause relative rotation between the cylindrical rotor and the movable barrel when the cylindrical rotor rotates, thereby transforming rotational movement of the rotor into a linear movement of the movable barrel, and a head-on striking structure provided between the helical groove and the helical thread to restrict the relative rotation at an intended extreme end of an axial path of the movable barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuo Manabe
  • Patent number: 7274121
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for fastening internal cooling fans to claw-pole segments are provided. A claw-pole segment suitable for use in a rotor of an electro-mechanical machine is formed. The claw-pole segment may include a base portion, at least one claw pole projecting axially from the base in a first direction, and at least one protrusion projecting axially from the base in a second direction opposite the first direction. A fan assembly that attaches to the claw-pole segment is also formed. The fan assembly may include at least one opening for receiving the at least one protrusion, and may be formed with varying configurations to affect the frequency response of the fan. The portion of the at least one protrusion extends through and beyond the opening of the fan assembly when the fan assembly is mounted on the claw-pole segment and expands in response to an application of an axial load, to secure the fan assembly to the claw-pole segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Remy Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Creviston, Michael McCord, Chris Bledsoe, David Maley
  • Patent number: 7274122
    Abstract: A sliding hole is formed so that a screw portion can pass therethrough. Also, a seal member is provided at a portion, through which the screw portion placed in the sliding hole can pass and in which a sliding portion does not slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenta Hatano, Youichi Fujita, Sotsuo Miyoshi, Tomokuni Kato
  • Patent number: 7274123
    Abstract: In axial magnetic bearing apparatus in which a rotary disc made of a magnetic material is fixedly attached to a rotating shaft, and electromagnets are disposed on opposite sides of the rotary disc so as to have suitable very small distances therefrom respectively, so as to bear the rotating shaft axially in a non-contact state, a deep groove for forming an air layer having large magneto-resistance is provided all over the outer circumference of the rotary disc. Thus, formation of a magnetic circuit not contributing to position control is relieved, and the weight of the disc is reduced so that the position control performance of the axial magnetic bearing and the natural frequency of a rotor are improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akihiro Shimada
  • Patent number: 7274124
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a generator (1) able to generate either unidirectional current or bi-directional current. A rotatable disc (7) has a conductive track (9) and a ferromagnetic bridge (8). Brushes (12, 13) switchingly open circuit a coil (16) or connect the coil (16) to a load resistor (R). Movement of the disc (7) results in bridge (8) shunting a core (15) of the coil (16). This generates an emf in the coil (16). If the circuit is closed, current flows in the resistor (R). If the circuit is open, no current flows. The arrangement is such that current only flows when the bridge (8) approaches the magnet (14)—not when the bridge (8) recedes from the magnet (14). Thus, only the magnetic attraction for the bridge (8) by the magnet (14) impedes the movement of the disc (7) as the bridge (8) recedes from the magnet (14) without the disc's movement also being impeded by generation of electric current at that time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Quantum Generation Pty Limited
    Inventor: Arthur James Fahy
  • Patent number: 7274125
    Abstract: An electrical generator having a stator assembly and a rotor assembly is provided. The rotor assembly has a rotor member, a first collector ring, and first and second rotor coils. The first collector ring is disposed proximate an exterior surface of the rotor member. The first collector ring has first and second balance resistors and first and second electrical terminals. The first and second balance resistors are disposed on an exterior surface of the first collector ring. The first and second balance resistors have first and second apertures, respectively extending therethough that are adjacent third and fourth apertures extending into the first collector ring. The first and second electrical terminals extend through the first and second apertures, respectively, and extend through the third and fourth apertures, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Paul A Quail
  • Patent number: 7274126
    Abstract: An armature for a brush commutated electric motor having a distributed coil winding arrangement for reducing brush arcing and electromagnetic interference (EMI). The winding pattern involves winding a first coil into a first pair of slots of the armature. A second coil having a first subcoil portion is then wound into the same slots as the first coil, while a second subcoil portion of the second coil is wound into a pair of slots that is offset by one slot position from the first pair of slots. The two subcoil portions have the same number of turns, and the total turns of the two subcoil portions equals the number of turns of the first coil. A third coil is then wound in the same slots as the second subcoil portion of the second coil. The third coil has the same number of turns as the first coil. This pattern is repeated around the armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Richard T. Walter, Ren Hong Wang
  • Patent number: 7274127
    Abstract: A brush holding apparatus is mounted to an inner wall surface of a rear bracket and a cap mounted to a head portion of a brush holder portion is exposed through an opening in the rear bracket. Brushes are housed inside brush insertion apertures of the brush holder portion and are placed in elastic contact with slip rings by springs. An abrasion detection terminal is insert molded into the brush holder portion, a contact thereof projecting inside one of the brush insertion apertures and coming into contact with the corresponding spring when the brushes are abraded by a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Deni Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiaki Kashihara, Katsuhiro Sasaki, Yoshihito Asao, Katsumi Adachi
  • Patent number: 7274128
    Abstract: One nanostructured actuator embodiment includes an actuation region between electrical contacts. The actuation region includes an elastic matrix with embedded nanocomposite layered structures, which have inorganic material layers with pillared organic material structures between the inorganic material layers responsive to the surface acidity of the inorganic material layers. The elastic matrix allows transport of species for changing the surface acidity. A separator region is between the electrical contacts. A proton generation region capable of reversible electrochemical production and elimination of protons is provided, which may be a hydrogen storage material located on a side of the separator region opposite the actuation region, which may include metal hydride, or metal hydroxide. Alternatively, it may include an electrolytic solution and conductive particles within the elastic matrix for in situ electrochemical generation of an acid/base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Ping Liu, Cameron Massey, Leslie Momoda, Geoffrey P. McKnight, Alan J. Jacobsen
  • Patent number: 7274129
    Abstract: A surface acoustic wave device includes, a first substrate, a surface acoustic wave chip attached to the first substrate, and a second substrate that hermetically seals the surface acoustic wave chip. At least one of the first and second substrates includes. The first and second substrates have respective joining surfaces. An electric circuit is formed on a surface area of the first substrate other than the joining surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignees: Fujitsu Media Devices Limited, Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Masanori Ueda, Osamu Kawachi, Michio Miura, Suguru Warashina
  • Patent number: 7274130
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of motion/movement sensors, detectors, and/or monitors, as well as other types of sensors. In particular, the present invention may provide, for example, a large pulsed output voltage in response to very low (or slow) sensed movement or environment changes, such as, temperature, pressure, and energy. The present invention relates, for example, to other available sensors and may provide an output high enough to turn on related processing circuitry from an “OFF” state. The present invention relates, among other things, to sensing various events via, for example, axially poled homopolymer polyvinyladine fluoride (PVDF) or other piezoelectric materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Infinite Power Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul C. Brantner
  • Patent number: 7274131
    Abstract: A piezoelectric motor has an actuator which drives a slider. The actuator has a rectangular steel core of square cross-section with an axially projection driving tip. A ceramic piezoelectric element is bonded to each of the four faces of the core. Each piezoelectric element has four quadrants covered by quadrant electrodes on one side and a common or earth electrode on the other side contacting the core which electrically joins the common electrodes. By selective excitation of corresponding diagonally opposite quadrants of opposite piezoelectric elements, the actuator is made to drive the tip in either the X direction or the Y direction. The preferred slider is a spherical ball held captive within arms extending from a housing of the actuator. The driving tip is pressed against the ball by a preload spring acting on the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Johnson Electric S.A.
    Inventors: Guo Wei Li, Feng Dong Chen, Kai Cheng
  • Patent number: 7274132
    Abstract: An electromechanical functional module and associated process for production thereof, which includes at least one transducer, at least one upper fiber cover layer, which is nonconducting and is positioned over the at least one transducer having a first electrode and a second electrode, at least one lower fiber cover layer, which is nonconducting and is positioned below the at least one transducer, at least one fiber interlayer, which is nonconducting with at least one cut-out for accommodating the at least one transducer, at least one upper electric contract strip that is integrally connected to the at least one upper fiber cover layer and in contact with the first electrode of the at least one transducer, and at least one lower electric contract strip that is integrally connected to the at least one lower fiber cover layer and in contact with the second electrode of the at least one transducer, wherein the at least one upper fiber cover layer, the at least one lower fiber cover layer and the at least one tra
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: DLR Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft und Raumfahrt E.V.
    Inventor: Peter Wierach
  • Patent number: 7274133
    Abstract: A cell driving type piezoelectric actuator comprising: a plurality of cell driving bodies each comprising a wall portion, a cell formed by the wall portion, a piezoelectric body formed on at least one of wall portions and at least one pair of electrodes formed on the piezoelectric body; said piezoelectric operation portion being capable of changing a volume of the cell on which said piezoelectric operation portion is formed by its displacement, wherein the piezoelectric actuator comprises at least one pair of support bodies, the plurality of cell driving bodies are formed completely independent of one another and are connected to one another through at least one pair of support bodies, and the cell driving bodies and the support bodies are integrally formed by firing a green body of said piezoelectric actuator. A method for manufacturing the same is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihisa Takeuchi, Koji Kimura, Koichi Iwata, Kazuhiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7274134
    Abstract: A piezoelectric/electrostrictive structure is provided, including a plurality of stacked sheet-shaped piezoelectric/electrostrictive bodies and at least one sheet of a thin film. The interfaces between the piezoelectric/electrostrictive bodies are exposed at side faces of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive structure, the side faces have notches, and the thin film is placed on the notched portions of side faces. A method for manufacturing the piezoelectric/electrostrictive structure includes the steps of stacking a plurality of ceramic green sheets made of a piezoelectric/electrostrictive material, firing the stacked ceramic green sheets to prepare fired piezoelectric/electrostrictive bodies and forming at least one sheet of a thin film on side faces of the fired piezoelectric/electrostrictive bodies by a chemical vapor deposition process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Ohmori, Koji Kimura
  • Patent number: 7274135
    Abstract: A deflection yoke includes ferrite core, horizontal deflection coil, vertical deflection coil, and insulating frame for insulating the horizontal and vertical deflection coils. The deflection yoke has a cross section that satisfies the following A to C. A: A plurality of magnetic substance convex portions projecting toward the tube axis are provided in the vicinity of a position of an inner surface of the ferrite core where a vertical axis crosses. B: Assuming that a minimum value among distances between the respective magnetic substance convex portions and a funnel is D1, the distance between the ferrite core excluding the plurality of magnetic substance convex portions and the funnel is larger than the distance D1 at any point of the ferrite core. C: A part of the vertical deflection coil is wound in a groove between the plurality of magnetic substance convex portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Toshiba Picture Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Etsuji Tagami, Akitsugu Ishii
  • Patent number: 7274136
    Abstract: A cold-cathode flat panel display using thin-film-transistor (TFT) anode circuit is disclosed. Associated with each pixel element is a TFT circuit comprising first and second transistors electrically cascaded and a capacitor in communication with an output of the first device and an input of the second transistor used to selectively address pixel elements in the display and hold pixels in their selected states for the frame time. Cold cathode sources are used to emit electrons that are drawn to selected pixel elements that include phosphor areas, which emit light of a known wavelength when struck by the emitted electrons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Copytele, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. DiSanto, Denis A. Krusos, Segey L. Shokhor, Alexander Kastalsky
  • Patent number: 7274137
    Abstract: An electron emission device where the electron emission of the emitter at the respective pixels is uniformly controlled. The electron emission device includes first and second substrates facing each other with a distance, and gate and cathode electrodes formed on the first substrate while interposing an insulating layer. Electron emission sources are electrically connected to the respective cathode electrodes. A resistance layer is disposed between the cathode electrode and the electron emission source in substantially the same plane as the cathode electrode. At least one anode electrode is formed on the second substrate. A phosphor screen is placed on a surface of the anode electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Sang-Jo Lee, Chun-Gyoo Lee
  • Patent number: 7274138
    Abstract: The disclosed method for forming a field emission display includes forming a cathode and an anode, forming a plurality of photoresist posts over the cathode, and coating the posts with a layer of coating material. The layer of coating material forms sidewalls around the posts. The photoresist posts may then be removed from within the sidewalls. The anode may then be fitted onto the sidewalls so that the sidewalls function as spacers in the field emission display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Cathey, James J. Alwan
  • Patent number: 7274139
    Abstract: An electron emission device includes cathode electrodes and gate electrodes formed on a first substrate and crossing each other while interposing an insulation layer. Opening portions are formed at the gate electrodes and the insulation layer while exposing the cathode electrodes. Electron emission sources are formed on the cathode electrodes exposed through the opening portions each with an area smaller than the area of the opening portion. An anode electrode is formed on a second substrate. Phosphor layers are formed on the anode electrode with a length extending in a first direction and a width extending in a second direction. Each electron emission source satisfies the following condition: a<b. In the condition, “a” indicates the distance between the electron emission source and the gate electrode in the first direction, and “b” indicates the distance between the electron emission source and the gate electrode in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Sang-Jin Lee
  • Patent number: 7274140
    Abstract: In an organic EL display device having at least one electrode, a light emitting material layer and another electrode that are stacked in each pixel region formed on a surface of a substrate, wherein the light emitting material layer is formed in an opening portion of a bank film which separates the pixel region from other pixel regions arranged close to the pixel region so that the inside of the opening portion of the bank film is filled with the light emitting material layer, a light reflection function is imparted to at least a side wall surface of the opening portion of the bank film, so that the light take-out efficiency of the organic EL display device is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Displays, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Ito, Akiko Yasukawa
  • Patent number: 7274141
    Abstract: A light emitting component with organic layers, e.g., an organic light-emitting diode, which includes a substrate, at least one light emitting layer, and at least one charge carrier transport layer, having a cathode on the substrate and light emission through the anode. The light emitting component may further include a transport layer that is p-doped with an organic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: NovaLED GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Leo, Jan Blochwitz-Nimoth, Martin Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 7274142
    Abstract: The invention provides a display unit which can improve reliability and reduce a frame area by forming a protective film in a uniform film thickness over an entire display area, and its manufacturing method. An end face of the protective film is formed along a vertical plane including a corresponding end face of a sealing substrate. The end face of the protective film is formed into an approximately vertical cross section in the position of the end face of the sealing substrate, and the entire display area is covered with the protective film in a uniform film thickness. It is preferable that a distance between a lower end of the end face and the vertical plane is set to 2 mm or less. It is preferable that the end face of the protective film is formed by anisotropic etching using the sealing substrate as a mask, after the protective film is formed over a whole face of a driving substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takao Mori, Masashi Enda
  • Patent number: 7274143
    Abstract: A plasma display panel has a pair of substrates placed opposite each other with a discharge space in between, electrodes formed on an inner face of one of the pair of substrates, a dielectric layer covering the electrodes, and a protective layer covering the dielectric layer, a discharge gas filling the discharge space. The protective layer includes a cesium-based complex oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventor: Takeru Okada
  • Patent number: 7274144
    Abstract: An exemplary PDP according to an embodiment of the present invention includes first and second substrates, an address electrode, first and second barrier ribs, first and second electrodes, and a phosphor layer. The first and second substrates face each other, the address electrode is formed on the first substrate and extends in a first direction, and the first barrier rib is formed on the first substrate and partitions a plurality of first discharge cells. The first and second electrodes extend along the second direction and are disposed in the first discharge cells. The second barrier rib is formed on the second substrate and partitions second discharge cells that correspond to the first discharge cells. The phosphor layer is formed in the discharge cells on the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Hoon-Young Choi, Min Hur
  • Patent number: 7274145
    Abstract: A plasma display panel and method are provided. The method includes that a first substrate is provided and elongated electrodes are formed on the first substrate. Then, an overcoat layer is formed on the elongated electrodes and the first substrate. Next, by means of screen print, a shaped layer is formed on the overcoat layer. Screen print is applied again to form bumps on the shaped layer. A second substrate is also provided. The second substrate is extended paralleled with the first substrate so as to define a discharge space between the substrates after combining the two substrates. Bumps are provided between the first and second stripe ribs so as to define passages to let air can flow in the discharge space. By the mentioned processes, bumps are provided between the first and second stripe ribs so as to define passages for drawing air. The process is simple for alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Chunghwa Picture Tubes, Ltd
    Inventors: Yu-Sheng Chen, Chih-Hsiung Leu, Chung-Wang Chou
  • Patent number: 7274146
    Abstract: An AC plasma display panel. A front substrate is opposite a rear substrate, and a plurality of ribs are interposed therebetween, defining a plurality of sub-pixels. The front substrate has a plurality of sustain electrodes extending along a first direction. Each of the sustain electrodes has a auxiliary electrode, a plurality of extending electrodes extending along a second direction and sticking into the corresponding sub-pixels, and a plurality of connecting electrodes, each of which connects adjacent extending electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corp.
    Inventor: Yao-Ching Su
  • Patent number: 7274147
    Abstract: A magnetron which generates a high-frequency energy in the Terahertz band is provided. The magnetron includes a cathode unit, which is connected to a terminal of a power source, and which selectively emits an electron according to when power is supplied; an anode block, which is connected to another terminal of the power source, and which has an operation chamber in which the emitted electron moves; and one or more resonance cavities which generate a high-frequency energy by a movement of the emitted electron; and a pair of magnet units forming a magnetic field in the operation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-ha Shim, Kuang-woo Nam, Yun-kwon Park, In-sang Song
  • Patent number: 7274148
    Abstract: A lamp contains a lamp voltage conversion circuit that is entirely within a base for converting a line voltage at a lamp terminal to an RMS load voltage at a light emitting element. The voltage conversion circuit includes a forward clipping circuit with a three-terminal thyristor that forward clips a load voltage to define the RMS load voltage, and a time-based pulse source that provides pulses the trigger conduction of the three-terminal thyristor at constant time intervals that are independent of the magnitude of the line voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew B. Ballenger, Ernest C. Weyhrauch
  • Patent number: 7274149
    Abstract: A lamp has a voltage controller that converts a line voltage to an RMS load voltage suitable for operation of the lamp's light emitting element, where the voltage controller is entirely within a lamp base and uses pulse width modulation to define the RMS load voltage. The voltage controller is connected in series between the light emitting element and a line voltage terminal in the lamp base and has a bridge that supplies the RMS load voltage to the light emitting element, a switching transistor that pulse width modulates a current supplied to the bridge, and a timer that is connected to a gate of the switching transistor to turn the switching transistor on and off at a rate that defines the RMS load voltage. The voltage controller allows the lamp to be used with an external dimming circuit that provides a clipped line voltage to the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew B. Ballenger, Ernest C. Weyhrauch
  • Patent number: 7274150
    Abstract: An LED is connected to a power supply circuit, and a Zener diode is reverse-connected to the LED and then packaged in an LED package. When a load of the power supply circuit is lightened due to disconnection in the LED package, an output voltage of the power supply circuit shows a rising tendency. However, the power supply circuit limits the maximum voltage applied to the LED within a specified range between a forward voltage of the LED and a forward voltage+a Zener voltage of the Zener diode to prevent current flow through the Zener diode. As a result, no current flows through a resistor R1, then an NPN transistor is turned on, and then the LED acting as a disconnection sensing indicator lamp is turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Takeda, Masayasu Ito
  • Patent number: 7274151
    Abstract: The anode sides of respective EL elements E1-E4 constituting icons are connected to a first potential V1, the cathode sides of the EL elements E1-E4 are connected to current absorption sides of constant current sources I1-I4, and current output sides of the constant current sources are connected to a second potential V2 whose potential is lower than that of the first potential via light emission control switches S11-S14. Current regulating resistors R101-R104 are connected in parallel corresponding to the respective EL elements E1-E4, and therefore by appropriately selecting the resistance values of the current regulating resistors R101-R104, light emission intensities of the respective EL elements E1-E4 constituting icons can be regulated appropriately. During an all extinction period during which the respective EL elements E1-E4 are all extinguished, an analog switch S201 is turned off, and an analog switch S202 is turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Tohoku Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Shingo Wakou, Masato Togashi, Naoki Yazawa
  • Patent number: 7274152
    Abstract: There is provided a rare gas fluorescent lamp lighting apparatus including: an input power source; a transformer having a rare gas fluorescent lamp connected to the secondary side thereof; a switching element connected in series to the primary side of the transformer; and a drive block to drive the switching element. The drive block includes: a constant voltage circuit to convert the voltage of the input power source into a constant voltage as an output; a constant current circuit to output a charging current according to the voltage of the input power source; a triangular waveform oscillation circuit to increase and decrease oscillation frequency according respectively to an increase and a decrease in a voltage of the input power source; and a comparison circuit to transform a triangular waveform outputted from the triangular waveform oscillation circuit into a rectangular waveform with a predetermined duty ratio as an output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Suzuki, Ryu Terada
  • Patent number: 7274153
    Abstract: A hand-held fluorescent lamp assembly powered by typical line supply of 120 VAC, 60 Hz via an attached power cord and employing multiple commonly available fluorescent lamps. The assembly includes switches to independently control the multiple fluorescent lamps. The assembly includes lightweight solid state power regulation components. The power regulation circuit employs a self-oscillating circuit that is approximately matched in frequency of oscillation to the natural frequency of the fluorescent lamp load to automatically ignite the fluorescent lamps. The power regulation circuit includes circuit elements to automatically protect the ballast circuit and lamps from overdrawing in the run state and from abnormal load conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: TMC Enterprises
    Inventors: Thomas J. Miller, Zhou Dong Yue
  • Patent number: 7274154
    Abstract: According to the disclosed embodiment of the invention, a circuit and method for stabilizing an operating characteristic of a compact fluorescent lamp driven by a ballast circuit having an operating frequency controlled by a component value, may comprise a first circuit connected to said ballast circuit for applying the component value thereto; and a second circuit connected to the ballast circuit for changing the component value so as to stabilize the operating characteristic. The operating characteristic may be power, current, voltage or crest factor for example. The second circuit changes the component value in response to a bus voltage of the ballast circuit and includes a switching device such as a transistor responsive to the bus voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventors: Chandrashekara Atra, Cecilia Contenti
  • Patent number: 7274155
    Abstract: The invention provides a power supply or drive circuit for a pulsed flashlamp which utilizes a two-core component having common windings as both an inductor for arc mode drive and for breakdown triggering of the lamp. Discharge of a capacitor through the inductor and lamp is controlled by a high-speed semiconductor switch which is turned on and off by a suitable control, current flowing from the inductor through a one-way path including the lamp when the switch is off. The control maintains the ratio of the power variation through the lamp to the average power through the lamp substantially constant. The controls may also be utilized to control output pulse shape. Novel protective features are also provided for circuit components during turn on periods for the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikhail Inochkin, Vycheslav V. Togatov, Peter O. Gnatyuk
  • Patent number: 7274156
    Abstract: A power supply circuit for a first and a second lamps and the transformer thereof is provided. The power supply circuit comprises a driving circuit and a transformer. The transformer includes a magnetic core, a primary coil set, a secondary coil, a first coil and a second coil. The driving circuit provides an alternative voltage. The primary coil set is wound on the magnetic core, along with the secondary coil, the first and the second coils, and receives the alternative voltage. The turns of the first coil and the second coil are substantially the same. The first lamp is coupled between the first coil and the secondary coil, and the second lamp is coupled between the second coil and the secondary coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Darfon Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Ching-Fu Hsueh, Cheng-Hsien Chien
  • Patent number: 7274157
    Abstract: In a lamp operation controller and a method thereof, for obtaining a stable light emission, simply and certainly, without necessity of detection of a parameter accompanying discharge, the lamp operation controller, for operating a discharge lamp having a pair of electrodes, which are disposed at both ends of a light emission tube to have a predetermined distance therebetween, converts electric power of an electric power source 1, through an inverter, into alternating voltage and alternating current, changing the polarity thereof continuously and alternately, so as to produce operating current, and apply that across the pair of the electrodes of the discharge lamp, thereby letting the lamp to emit a light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Hirata, Ryuji Kurihara
  • Patent number: 7274158
    Abstract: A system for driving a lamp module (13) includes a converter (11), a driving circuit (12), and a pulse width modulation (PWM) controller (14). The lamp module includes a plurality of lamps. The converter converts a received voltage to a direct current (DC) voltage. The driving circuit converts the DC voltage to an alternating current (AC) voltage. The PWM controller is connected between the converter and the lamp module, for regulating the DC voltages outputted from the converter according to current flowing through the lamps of the lamp module. In one embodiment, the system includes a bus inverter controller. The bus inverter controller is connected between the driving circuit and the lamp module, for regulating a working frequency thereof and controlling the AC voltage outputted from the driving circuit when the lamps are turned on. The system has a reduced number of PWM controllers and a relatively low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-Hsiung Lee, Yu-Hsiao Chao, Che-Chen Fan Chiang, Cheng-Chueh Tsai, Shian-Nan Lin
  • Patent number: 7274159
    Abstract: A backlight comprising a plurality of lamps, an A/D converter connected to the lamps in parallel to convert an inputted alternating current into a direct current and to provide the converted direct current to the lamps, a current measuring unit connected to the lamps in parallel to measure currents outputted from the lamps, and a controlling unit to control a current value to be applied to the lamps according to a current value inputted from the current measuring unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin-Hwan Jeon
  • Patent number: 7274160
    Abstract: Illumination methods and apparatus, in which a first number of first light sources are adapted to generate first radiation having a first spectrum, and a second number of second light sources are adapted to generate second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum. In one example, the first number of the first light sources and the second number of the second light sources are different. In another example, a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation are independently controlled so as to controllably vary at least an overall perceivable color of generated visible radiation. In yet another example, a first control signal controls all of the first light sources substantially identically, and a second control signal controls all of the second light sources substantially identically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Color Kinetics Incorporated
    Inventors: George G. Mueller, Ihor A. Lys
  • Patent number: 7274161
    Abstract: A Motor driving apparatus adjusts activation start timing of high-side activation control signals UU, VU, WU and the low-side activation control signals UL, VL, and WL with a state determination signal SJ in an activation controller 40, in the period from starting to the time when rotor rotating speed reaches a predetermined value, sets the activation start timing earlier than in normal times to perform leading phase activation control, and in normal times when the rotor rotating speed is a predetermined value or more, controls activation start timing in efficient and optimum phase. Hence, the motor driving apparatus can carry out stable PWM sensorless starting without any starting failure such as oscillation, loss of synchronism and reverse rotation and shorten starting time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Mori, Shinichi Kuroshima
  • Patent number: 7274162
    Abstract: In a motor having a number of poles that have nominally equiangularly-spaced positions that in fact deviate from those positions, the actual pole positions are determined by measuring the periods between zero-crossings of the back-EMF generated during pole-pair interactions. The ratios of the various pole periods can then be computed, and the motor drive current can be adjusted for each pole by applying the respective ratio to a base current value determined from the desired motor speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Ravishanker Krishnamoorthy, Foo Leng Leong
  • Patent number: 7274163
    Abstract: In a laser printer, methods and apparatus include commutating a brushless dc motor having three windings. A controller receives discrete motor position signals, such as from hall-effect or FG sensors, and extrapolates motor position between the signals. It commutates the motor based on the extrapolated motor position and updates motor position whenever an actual discrete signal is received. Drive signals from the controller to the motor are such that a current flowing in any of the three windings follows a generally sinusoidal waveform. High and low switches are provided per each winding of the three windings and are cumulatively switched according to an extrapolated motor position based multiplier applied to a pulse width modulation duty cycle. In this regard, lookup tables, counters, registers and the like are provided. An engine card of the printer includes an ASIC with a power driver for use with generally off-the-shelf brushless dc motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron M. Lambert, Steven M. Turney
  • Patent number: 7274164
    Abstract: Electronic control system for an actuation device of operating groups of a vehicle comprising an electronic gearcase that allows the activation and deactivation of said at least one device to be managed. The gearcase defines a first operating condition of the selective actuations defined as rest, a second condition defined as block and a third condition defined as transitional, which is a passage step between the other two conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Piaggio & C. S.p.A.
    Inventor: Massimo Zema
  • Patent number: 7274165
    Abstract: A numerical controller capable of mitigating mechanical shock caused by tool compensation while a machine tool is operated according to table data. X- and Z-axis path tables Tx, Tz store X- and Z-axis positions corresponding to reference positions (time or spindle position). A tool compensation table Tt stores X- and Z-axis compensation amounts (tool compensation numbers) associated with the respective reference positions. At every predetermined period, X- and Z-axis path table interpolators read command positions from the path tables Tx, Tz based on the reference position, and obtain command motion amounts by interpolation. X- and Z-axis tool interpolators read compensation amounts from the tool compensation table Tt based on the reference position, and obtain compensation motion amounts by interpolation. Adders add up the command motion amounts and the respective compensation motion amounts to drive respective motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: FANUC Ltd
    Inventors: Yasushi Takeuchi, Takahiko Endo
  • Patent number: 7274166
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for correcting a position of a mobile robot includes a position notifying unit, installed at a predetermined position, that generates and transmits a signal indicative of the predetermined position. The mobile robot includes a position signal detector, installed at a predetermined position of the mobile robot, that detects a signal; and a control unit, installed at a predetermined position of the mobile robot, that corrects a position of the mobile robot on the basis of pre-stored position information corresponding to the detected position signal, so that a position error that is generated when the mobile robot moves is corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Young-Gie Kim
  • Patent number: 7274167
    Abstract: Disclosed is a position-recognizing system of a self-moving robot. A position-recognizing system of a self-moving robot includes: a floor in which a magnet is inserted; and a self-moving robot provided with a magnetic sensor that can sense the magnet while the robot is moving on the floor. According to this, a magnet mounted in a floor is sensed through the magnetic sensor, and thusly a current location of the self-moving robot can be accurately recognized, so that the self-moving robot can be precisely controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Young-Gie Kim
  • Patent number: 7274168
    Abstract: A remote battery charging system comprises an identifier (52) for identifying different battery types within a device (78) to a switch (46) for allowing or disallowing charging of the battery (13). The battery charging system is particularly suitable for hearing aids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Quallion LLC
    Inventors: Hisashi Tskukamoto, PangHoo Tan