Patents Issued in June 26, 2008
  • Publication number: 20080150462
    Abstract: Method and arrangement in connection with a motor fed with a frequency converter provided with an intermediate voltage circuit. The method comprises steps of feeding motor voltage to the motor along a motor cable with a frequency converter for controlling the motor, rectifying the voltage of the motor cable and restricting the magnitude of the voltage of the motor cable at the end of the motor cable on the side of the motor with a clipper circuit coupled in parallel with the motor, using the rectified voltage for rotating one or more cooling fans of the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: ABB OY
    Inventor: Erkki Miettinen
  • Publication number: 20080150463
    Abstract: Windshield wiper control apparatus comprises one or more door-open sensors and electronic control circuitry operative to terminate or slow down the operation of the windshield wipers if the door associated with that sensor is opened. The apparatus may further include an inclement weather detector, such that the electronic control circuitry is only operative to terminate or slow down the operation of the windshield wipers if inclement weather is detected. The apparatus may further include a vehicle movement sensor, such that the electronic control circuitry is only operative to terminate or slow down the operation of the windshield wipers if the vehicle is not moving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: John G. Posa
  • Publication number: 20080150464
    Abstract: An electrical drive system includes an electrical machine controlled by an electronic controller, which requires feedback of signals representing quantities associated with the operation of the electrical machine. These signals may represent, for example, flux, current and/or rotor position. The integrity of these signals is validated by setting suitable thresholds for the signals and confirming that both are present at the appropriate time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Switched Reluctance Drives Limited
    Inventor: Peter Richard Mayes
  • Publication number: 20080150465
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a lower half body module of a bipedal walking robot which is excellent in practicality in the point that it is possible to transport a heavy load, and which is excellent in the degree of freedom in designing in the point that it is possible to mount or incorporate an upper half body having a large weight. Therefore, this is why legs of the lower half body module are constituted by a parallel link mechanism to sustain a large load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: TMSUK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Baba, Shigeaki Ino, Yoichi Takamoto, Atsuo Takanishi
  • Publication number: 20080150466
    Abstract: A piezoelectric debris sensor and associated signal processor responsive to debris strikes enable an autonomous or non-autonomous cleaning device to detect the presence of debris and in response, to select a behavioral mode, operational condition or pattern of movement, such as spot coverage or the like. Multiple sensor channels (e.g., left and right) can be used to enable the detection or generation of differential left/right debris signals and thereby enable an autonomous device to steer in the direction of debris.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Gregg W. Landry, David A. Cohen, Daniel Ozick
  • Publication number: 20080150467
    Abstract: A robot of a robot system performs a desired operation by an operation motor and moves along a route by a movement motor. The robot system includes a robot power cutoff device for cutting off the power supply to the operation motor when making the robot move from one station to another station across the worker passage, a cutoff state monitoring device for monitoring the cutoff state of the power supply to the operation motor, and an emergency stop device. The emergency stop device cuts off the power supply to the movement motor so as to make the robot stop on an emergency basis, when it is detected that the power supply to the operation motor has not been cut off and the robot enters the predetermined section above the worker passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: FANUC LTD
    Inventors: Yoshiki HASHIMOTO, Yoshiyuki KUBO
  • Publication number: 20080150468
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a circuit layout for the position and/or speed control of a linear drive, in particular a servo drive for a linear robot. An electric motor is supplied via a converter (3) with a control unit (4) and the motor position is determined, in particular in a sensor-free manner or via a position sensor (7). This motor position signal and an acceleration signal generated via an accelerometer (5) provided in the control unit (4) and arranged on the moving part of the linear drive are mathematically converted to a speed signal. This speed signal is used for controlling the drive. The accelerometer (5) is embodied as a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) and integrated into the entrained control unit (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: Tomas Kalender
  • Publication number: 20080150469
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electro-mechanical energy exchange system with a variable speed synchronous reluctance motor-generator having an all-metal rotor. A bi-directional AC-to-DC electric power converter interconnects the motor-generator with a DC bus. First and second hybrid controllers provide current regulation for the motor-generator and voltage regulation for the DC bus. Use of both feedback and feedforward control elements provides a controller particularly suited for operating high speed devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Heath F. Hofmann, Claude Khalizadeh
  • Publication number: 20080150470
    Abstract: A controller for a synchronous machine includes: a power converter; a synchronous machine driven by the power converter; a PWM modulation section for controlling the synchronous machine; a current detection section which detects a current conducted to the synchronous machine; a voltage detection section which detects a voltage applied to the synchronous machine; a current variation operation section which operates a current variation during a time interval between timings synchronized with detection sampling in the current detection section; a voltage integration operation section which operates a voltage integration value during a time interval between the same timings as the timings in the current variation operation section; a current variation operation section for a time interval in which all sets are included, defining, as one set, the current variation and the voltage integration value, and operating a current variation during the time interval in which all the sets are included; a voltage integration
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Kazuya Yasui, Kazuaki Yuuki, Kentaro Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20080150471
    Abstract: A method of starting and apparatus for starting a multiphase electrical machine is disclosed. The aim is to reduce oscillatory pulsation in torque generated by the motor and inrush current that occurs shortly after start-up. The starting method comprises the steps of first connecting at least one, but less than all, of a plurality of windings to a respective phase-shifted supply voltage at a controlled point in the supply phase. Then, after a controlled delay following the connection made in step i., connecting the or each remaining winding of the machine a respective phase-shifted supply voltage. The invention has particular application to multiphase (most usually, 3-phase) motors. However, it can also be applied to other electrical machines, such as generators and transformers. The method can be performed at initial start-up or, in the case of application to a motor, at Y-delta switchover. On reconnection of a load generating a significant back-e.m.f., the 2-step process is initiated when the back-e.m.f.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Peter Unsworth, James Joseph Kinsella
  • Publication number: 20080150472
    Abstract: An electrical energy generating apparatus includes a hollow pipe, permanent magnetic fluid held in the hollow pipe, a ferrite film wrapped around the hollow pipe, a heat source receiving device joined to a portion of the hollow pipe, and an induction coil wound around the hollow pipe; the induction coil being connected to a storage battery; in use, the heat source receiving device will receive heat energy from heat sources so that a portion of the fluid is heated, and temperature and pressure difference comes into existence in the fluid, and convection in the liquid happens to circulate the nano-chip permanent magnets around the hollow pipe; therefore, there is change in a magnetic field between the nano-chip permanent magnets and the ferrite film, and in turn the induction coil produces electric field, and electrical energy is produced, and next stored in the storage battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: Hua-Hsin Tsai
  • Publication number: 20080150473
    Abstract: A portable emergency appliance comprises a housing and an integrated power source. A retractable handle extends from the housing between a first position and a second position. Retractable cables are connected to the power source and are removably connectable to the retractable handle, such that the cables are secured by the handle when the handle is in the first position, and are at least partially extended when the handle is in the second position. The cables are then releasable from the handle at the second position, to typically provide further extension and retraction to render service to an external entity. The power source is preferably rechargeable. The emergency appliance may preferably provide a variety of other functions, such as but not limited to AC power, DC power, pressurized air, lighting, tool storage and/or data storage and/or display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: Robert W. Wise
  • Publication number: 20080150474
    Abstract: A cordless power tool battery pack including an onboard circuit configured to electronically communicate with an associated battery charging system and an associated battery analyzing system. The onboard circuit communicates information relating to the battery pack to a microprocessor or the like within the battery charging system and charging of the battery pack is controlled based on such communication. The onboard circuit also communicates information relating to the battery pack to a microprocessor or the like within the battery analyzing system which can than be communicated to an interface unit for display to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: INGERSOLL-RAND COMPANY
    Inventors: William M. Ball, John J. Linehan, Christopher P. Leight
  • Publication number: 20080150475
    Abstract: A semiconductor device which can operate normally even when the communication distance is extremely short, and which stores excess electric power which is not needed for circuit operation of the semiconductor device when a large amount of electric power is supplied thereto. The following are included: an antenna; a first AC/DC converter circuit which is connected to the antenna; a second AC/DC converter circuit which is connected to the antenna through a switching element; a detecting circuit which controls operation of the switching element in accordance with the value of a voltage output from the first AC/DC converter circuit; and a battery which stores electric power supplied from the antenna through the second AC/DC converter circuit. When the switching element is operated, electric power supplied from outside is at least partly supplied to the battery through the second AC/DC converter circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Kato, Kazuma Furutani
  • Publication number: 20080150476
    Abstract: The invention concerns an integrated radiofrequency circuit (1) including an antenna (2) for receiving radiofrequency signals, a rechargeable battery (3) and a battery charger (5) using said radiofrequency signals to charge said battery. The circuit is characterized in that said battery charger is integrated in the same substrate as the integrated radiofrequency circuit and in that said battery charger includes calibrating means, a current source calibrated by said calibrating means and delivering a charge current of constant maximum intensity drawn from the received radiofrequency signals and a comparator between a reference quantity representative of the end of battery charge level and a variable quantity representative of the battery charge level supplying at output a control signal (batchend) for charging or not charging the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: EM MICROELECTRONIC-MARIN S.A.
    Inventor: Christian Lamothe
  • Publication number: 20080150477
    Abstract: A battery pack detachably connectable to an equipment body to supply power to the equipment body, the battery pack including a battery cell, a microcomputer for communicating with the equipment body, a connection terminal connected to the microcomputer, a positive power supply input terminal connected to a cathode of the battery cell; and a negative power supply input terminal connected to an anode of the battery cell. After the power of the equipment body is turned on, the microcomputer alternately sends to the equipment body by serial communication via the connection terminal information to be used in authentication processing executed by the equipment body and information to be used in a battery residual quantity count executed by the equipment body. After the authentication processing is complete, the microcomputer sends to the equipment body information to be used in updating the battery residual quantity count executed by the equipment body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Ryoichi NAKASHIMA, Hideyuki Sato, Yukio Tsuchiya, Kazuyasu Nawa
  • Publication number: 20080150478
    Abstract: A scanning system includes a scanner head that scans along a scan path back and forth across a web. The scanner head is wireless and gets its operating power from an on-board electrical energy storage device, such as a battery or a capacitor. The scanner head docks to a charging station that provides electrical energy to the scanner head for charging the electrical energy storage device. The electrical energy is transferred by an energy coupling relationship that is magnetic field, electric field or direct electrical connection. The magnetic field relationship uses a charging circuit coil and core that mates with scanner head coil and core when the scanner head is docked. The electric field relationship uses a charging side electrically conductive plate that mates with a scanner head electrically conductive plate when the scanner head is docked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Kody J. Baker, Nicholas A. Dohmeier, Trevor Penner, Brian G. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20080150479
    Abstract: An electric charging device for a portable terminal includes a charging circuit and a switching unit electrically connected with the charging circuit, in which the switching unit turns on/off power supplied to the charging circuit according to whether the electric charging device is connected to the portable terminal or a battery cradle for the portable terminal. The electric charging device can reduce unnecessary power consumption by being disconnected from the external power source when not being connected to the portable terminal or the battery cradle. Moreover, the electric charging device itself has a power saving function by being disconnected from the external power source when not being connected to the portable terminal or the battery cradle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Shin-Hee Cho, Yong-Gu Lee, Jea-Hyuck Lee, Jae-Young Huh, Ji-Hyun Jung
  • Publication number: 20080150480
    Abstract: A video game controller charging system is provided. The video game controller charging system includes a base; at least one structure on the base for providing physical support to at least one video game controller while it is being charged; and at least one DC port on the base configured to couple to and provide DC power to a power input port of the at least one video game controller. The video game controller charging system may also include a current detector, a charging status indicator, at least one docking bay, and/or an AC-to-DC converter adapted to convert externally supplied power to the DC power provided to the power input port of at least one video game controller. The base of a charging station may include a recess having at least one electrical contact and a power input for connection to a power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: Amir Navid
  • Publication number: 20080150481
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for locking a battery pack (6) in a guide (10) in an electric tool (4), whereby the battery pack (6), on insertion into the guide (10), may first be displaced into a front locking position, in which the same is locked to the electric tool (4), with no electrical contact between the electric tool (4) and the battery pack (6) and then further displaced into rear locking position, in which the same is locked to the electric tool (4) and an electrical contact between the electric tool (4) and the battery pack (6) is generated and the battery pack may be manually unlocked for removal and may be moved from the rear locking position out of the guide (10) via the front locking position. The electric tool (4) comprises a bolt (20), which remains locked to the battery pack (6) on a movement of the battery pack (6) between both locking positions and which may be displaced together with the battery pack (6) in relation to the electric tool (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Rainer Glauning, Wolf Matthias
  • Publication number: 20080150482
    Abstract: A charger cradle used for charging a battery of a portable electrical device. An electromagnetic device is disposed within the charger cradle proximate a metal piece of the cordless handset when the cordless handset is placed in a receiving portion of the charger cradle. The electromagnetic device generates a magnetic field when charge contacts of the charger cradle and the cordless handset are in contact and a charging current is conducted from a charging circuit of the charger cradle. The magnetic field attracts the metal piece of the cordless handset and securely holds the cordless handset into the receiving portion while the charging circuit charges the battery of the cordless handset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Reza Ahmadian Yazdi, Kenny Che
  • Publication number: 20080150483
    Abstract: In an electrical storage apparatus including an electric storage device connected between a main power supply and a load, a first bypass FET and a bypass diode which are connected in series between the main power supply and the load are provided, and first and second main path FETs connected in series between the electric storage device and the load are provided. A controller judges that the first bypass FET suffers an open-circuit failure if the voltage (Va) of the load is equal to or smaller than the first threshold value Vth1 or if the voltage (Vc) at the connection point between the first bypass FET and the bypass diode is equal to or smaller than the second threshold value Vth2, when the first bypass FET is turned on and the first main path FET and the second main path FET are turned off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Kazuki MORITA, Hideaki Hamai, Yohsuke Mitani
  • Publication number: 20080150484
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for supplying energy to a load includes an energy recharge unit, an energy storage unit, an energy converter connected to the energy recharge unit, the energy converter being capable of transferring energy at a power level from the energy recharge unit to an output node, the power level being determined by a power transfer controller, and a bi-directional energy converter connected to the energy storage unit and to the output node. The bi-directional energy converter is capable of converting energy of varying voltages from the energy storage unit to energy of varying current levels to supplement the transferred energy with energy from the energy storage unit so as to maintain a constant voltage on the output node. The bi-directional energy converter is capable of converting the transferred energy to provide charging energy to the energy storage unit when the transferred energy exceeds a demand level of the load while maintaining the constant voltage at the output node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Jonathan W. Kimball, Philip T. Krein, Nicholas D. Benavides
  • Publication number: 20080150485
    Abstract: A method of limiting the play back of multimedia content in a memory of a portable media player includes providing a non-rechargeable battery as a power source for the portable media player, and enclosing the battery within a housing such that the battery cannot be removed without damaging the portable media player. The memory of the media player may be provided with multimedia content, or a communication interface may be provided to receive, or to download into the memory, multimedia content, for example at a point of sale. The method may further include limiting the writing of multimedia content into the memory only once, or not more than a predetermined number of times. The method may include downloading a multimedia file into the memory by engaging the communication interface with a communication interface of a file downloading station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Noam Kedem, Itzhak Pomerantz
  • Publication number: 20080150486
    Abstract: A battery having a universal serial bus (USB) connector is provided. The battery includes a battery control circuit, a voltage regulator circuit, a USB connector, and a device connector. The battery control circuit is used for providing a power source. The voltage regulator circuit is coupled to the battery control circuit, and used for regulating the voltage of the power source. The USB connector is coupled to the battery control circuit, and used for being connected with an external USB device and providing the power for the USB device. The device connector is coupled to the battery control circuit, used for being connected with a portable electronic device and providing the power for the portable electronic device. Therefore, the cost for purchasing subsidiary battery can be saved by using the battery of the present invention. The idea of implementing one battery with multipurpose also fits with economical benefit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: COMPAL ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Chen Kuan-Ting, Teng Shu-Hsuan, Tsai Ming-Sheng, Liu You-Chi
  • Publication number: 20080150487
    Abstract: A battery pre-charging circuit. The pre-charging circuit comprises a pre-charging path, a pre-charging switch and a low-voltage pre-charging circuit. The pre-charging path is coupled between a charger and a battery for providing a pre-charging current from the charger to the battery. The pre-charging switch is coupled to the pre-charging path for conducting along the pre-charging path. The low-voltage pre-charging circuit coupled to the pre-charging switch for controlling the pre-charging switch. The low-voltage pre-charging circuit is configured to switch on the pre-charging switch when a battery voltage over the battery is below a first battery voltage level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Shiqiang Liu, Guoxing Li, Sean Xiao, Liusheng Liu
  • Publication number: 20080150488
    Abstract: A power system for managing charging, discharging and protection of rechargeable batteries is disclosed. The power system mainly includes a power system. The power system includes a switching circuit coupled to the rechargeable batteries to charge and discharge the rechargeable batteries. The power system includes a power management unit to control the switching circuit. The power system includes a temperature sensing circuit to monitor a temperature of the batteries, voltage detectors to monitor voltages of the batteries, and current detectors to monitor a current of the batteries. If an abnormal condition is sensed by the power management unit when the power system is in an operating mode, the power management unit will terminate the operating mode by switching off the switching circuit to protect the batteries and the power system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Chun Lu, Stefan Maireanu, Luyang Luo, Lin Tang, Mingzhi He, Jianping Xu
  • Publication number: 20080150489
    Abstract: The invention discloses a method for precisely estimating the remaining capacity of a rechargeable battery in a practical system. To evaluate the remaining capacity of a battery through a calibrated current which is calculated from a predictable capacity close to the end of discharge or to the end of fill charge, so that the remaining capacity of battery will approach end points smoothly. A system can thus detect battery status and take necessary actions safely. Battery aging problem is considered while calculating the remaining capacity and the full charge capacity (FCC) of battery is also updated according to the total cumulated charges during a charge or discharge stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: Wang Shun-Hsing
  • Publication number: 20080150490
    Abstract: A method of controlling a state of charge of a battery in a vehicle includes receiving a request to enter an enhanced charging mode. A target for the state of charge is increased from a normal operating target to at least one enhanced mode target. The state of charge may be controlled to the at least one enhanced mode target during a drive charging cycle and during a park charging cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Christopher Richard Koziara, Daniel Navarro Rios, Bernd Spier, Kenneth Joseph Wenzel
  • Publication number: 20080150491
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of estimating the state-of-charge of a rechargeable battery, taking into account the factors battery spread and ageing. The method comprises the steps of: determining the starting state-of-charge of the battery by measuring the voltage across the battery and converting this measured value into a state-of-charge value; charging the battery; integrating the charge current and determining the accumulated charge during charging of the battery and adding said value to the starting state-of-charge. Also disclosed is a method for determining the use time left of a rechargeable battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: Hendrik Johannes Bergveld, Valer Pop, Petrus Henricus Laurentius Notten
  • Publication number: 20080150492
    Abstract: A portable device includes a device engine operable to control functions of the portable device when the mobile communications device is on, a real-time clock operable to run when the portable device is on and when it is off, and terminals for connection to a removable battery, the terminals being operable to couple the device engine and the real-time clock to a battery for powering the device engine and the real-time clock. The device also includes a supercapacitor connected in parallel to the terminals. The supercapacitor is operable to store energy whilst a battery is connected to provide energy to the portable device. Whilst no battery is connected and operable to provide energy to the portable device, the supercapacitor is operable to power the device engine when the portable device is on and is also operable to power the real-time clock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Jere Anttila, Markus Aaltonen
  • Publication number: 20080150493
    Abstract: An electric power generation system is disclosed. The electric power generation system comprises a string configured to be pulled. The electric power generation system further comprises a bobbin configured to rotate when the string is unwound from the bobbin. The electric power generation system further comprises an electric power generator having a rotor. The rotor is configured to rotate such that the ratio of number of rotations of the rotor and the bobbin is 1:1 when the string is being pulled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Colin Bulthaup, Saul Griffith, Dan Goldwater, Corwin Hardham, George Homsy, Eric Wilhelm, Brian Warshawsky, Mitch Heinrich, Michael Lin, John Lewis
  • Publication number: 20080150494
    Abstract: An apparatus and method generate electric current within a specified frequency range from a rotor operating within a broad range of rotational speeds by reducing the number of poles of the generator at higher rotational speeds. At higher rotational speeds, the generator circuit is altered so that a flow of current through half of a plurality of windings is reversed and the polarity in the said half of the windings is reversed. Two adjacent windings with the same polarity create a single pseudo pole, which effectively reduces the number of poles in the generator by half, and reduces the frequency of the electric current produced by the generator. Thus, the generator is operable to produce current within a specified frequency range from a rotor operating within a broad range of rotational speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Glenn C. Lemmers, Darin R. Morman
  • Publication number: 20080150495
    Abstract: A method of coupling a mechanical power source through an electrical power generator to an electrical load is disclosed. A characteristic of an electrical output is measured from the electrical power generator produced during a power generation cycle during which there is a coupling of the mechanical power source through the electrical power generator to the electrical load. The coupling of the mechanical power source is adjusted through the electrical power generator to the electrical load during a subsequent power generation cycle based at least in part on the measured characteristic of the electrical output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Colin Bulthaup, Saul Griffith, Dan Goldwater, Corwin Hardham, George Homsy, Eric Wilhelm, Brian Warshawsky, Mitch Heinrich, Michael Lin, Benji Rappoport, John Lewis
  • Publication number: 20080150496
    Abstract: A reactive power control apparatus for an AC power system includes a reactive power compensation device, a compensation capacitor device and a compensation capacitor control device. The compensation capacitor control device includes a detection voltage output circuit which outputs a bus detection voltage after the clearing of a voltage drop abnormality, corresponding to the AC voltage of a system bus after the voltage drop abnormality that occurred in the AC power system has been cleared, and a compensation capacitor control circuit which controls the connection status of a compensation capacitor with respect to the system bus. The compensation capacitor control circuit controls the connection status of the compensation capacitor with respect to the system bus, on the basis of the voltage level of the bus detection voltage after the clearing of the voltage drop abnormality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Yasuda, Masatoshi Takeda, Hitoshi Teramoto
  • Publication number: 20080150497
    Abstract: A power supply voltage reset circuit, provided in an apparatus having an internal circuit capable of adjusting an internal power supply voltage, for resetting the internal circuit when a power supply voltage of the apparatus rises, and includes: a unit that generates an internal power supply voltage reference signal and changes a signal level thereof; a unit that generates an internal reference voltage to be a reference level in generating a reset signal for the internal circuit at a time of rising of the power supply voltage; a unit that generates a power-on adjustment voltage which rises later than the internal reference voltage at the time of rising of the power supply voltage and becomes greater than the internal reference voltage after a predetermined time passes; and a unit that generates the reset signal by comparing the internal reference voltage with the power-on adjustment voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: ELPIDA MEMORY, INC.
    Inventor: Tatsuya MATANO
  • Publication number: 20080150498
    Abstract: An exemplary electromagnetic induction switch includes a coil, a magnet suspended in the coil, a rectification circuit, and a relay-switch. The coil is connected between two input terminals of the rectification circuit. Two output terminals of the rectification circuit are respectively connected to two relay leads of the relay-switch. One of two switch leads of the relay-switch is connected to a working circuit, and another one of the switch leads of the relay-switch is connected to the working circuit via a power source, thereby controlling the power source supplying power to the working circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: MING-CHIH HSIEH
  • Publication number: 20080150499
    Abstract: The invention relates to a voltage regulator for operation of a semiconductor memory device. In embodiments, the voltage regulator includes a standby regulator unit and an active regulating unit. Embodiments of the invention decouple the operation of the standby regulating unit and the active regulating unit of a voltage regulator so that both can operate simultaneously, for example during a read operation. In embodiments of the invention, the standby regulating unit includes a short pulse generator and a feedback loop to disable the standby regulating unit for a predetermined amount of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang-Kug PARK, Dae-Han KIM
  • Publication number: 20080150500
    Abstract: A switching voltage regulator circuit includes, in part, a latch, a pair of switches, a sensing circuit, an amplifier, a digital control block, and a comparator. The switches are responsive to the latch, and the sensing circuit is responsive to a current flowing through the switch that is on. The amplifier is responsive to a reference voltage signal and a voltage feedback signal to generate a first intermediate voltage signal. The digital control block receives the reference voltage signal and the voltage feedback signal and generates a second intermediate voltage signal operative to cause the difference between the voltage feedback signal and the reference voltage signal to be less than a predefined value. The first and second intermediate voltages define a threshold value. The comparator is adapted to receive the output of the sensing circuit and the threshold value and to change the state of the latch in response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Decicon, Inc.
    Inventor: Hakan Ates Gurcan
  • Publication number: 20080150501
    Abstract: Constant voltage regulator includes an output terminal, an output transistor, an output voltage controller, and a switching circuit. The output terminal outputs a first voltage to an external host apparatus. The output transistor outputs a current in accordance with a signal. The output voltage controller amplifies a difference between a reference voltage and a feedback voltage produced in proportion to the first voltage, and outputs the amplified voltage to the control gate of the output transistor. The switching circuit selectively outputs one of a second voltage greater than the first voltage and a third voltage greater than the second voltage to a substrate gate of the output transistor in response to an operation mode switchable between a first mode in which an output current to the external host apparatus is smaller than a predetermined value and a second mode in which the output current is greater than the predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: Kohzoh Itoh
  • Publication number: 20080150502
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a voltage reference circuit is configured to use two differentially coupled transistors to form a delta Vbe for the voltage reference circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: Paolo Migliavacca
  • Publication number: 20080150503
    Abstract: A transistor drive circuit of a power converter is developed for operating in wide voltage range. It includes an N-type high-side transistor, a P-type high-side transistor and an N-type low-side transistor. A voltage clamp device is connected to the gate of the N-type high-side transistor to limit the maximum output voltage. A detection circuit is coupled to detect the supply voltage of the transistor drive circuit to generate a disable signal in response to the voltage level of the supply voltage. The disable signal is coupled to disable the P-type high-side transistor once the voltage level of the supply voltage is higher than a threshold voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Ta-Yung Yang, Feng-Cheng Tsao, Chuh-Ching Li, Jesse R. Wang
  • Publication number: 20080150504
    Abstract: A switching regulator includes an input terminal, a first time delay circuit, a first switch circuit, and an output terminal. The input terminal is for receiving an input current. The first time delay circuit is for delaying the input current. The first switch circuit is for receiving a first power-on voltage, and allowing the input current to flow therethrough. The output terminal is for outputting the input current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: SHIH-FANG WONG, TSUNG-JEN CHUANG, JUN LI
  • Publication number: 20080150505
    Abstract: A switching regulator and a semiconductor device having the same are disclosed, the switching regulator being capable of preventing turn-ON of a switching transistor when the connection between a control circuit controlling the operation of the switching transistor and ground potential is cut off. The switching regulator includes, for example, an NMOS transistor that is turned OFF to decrease the gate voltage of the switching transistor to turn off the switching transistor to be electrically non-conducting when the connection between a first ground terminal and ground potential is cut off by, for example, the disconnection between the first ground terminal and the ground line of the printed circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: Hirohisa Abe
  • Publication number: 20080150506
    Abstract: A power regulator having a single digital control pin for controlling the amount of power delivered to a load is provided. The single digital control pin is set to a first logic state for a first predetermined amount of time to specify a first power control function to be executed by the power regulator. The first power control function is executed by toggling the single digital control pin between the first logic state and a second logic state. A method for controlling the amount of power delivered to a load is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Andrew Martin Cowell, Lok-Cheung Fong
  • Publication number: 20080150507
    Abstract: A switching regulator is provided with: a comparator producing a comparison signal by comparing a feedback voltage commensurate with an output voltage with a predetermined reference voltage; an oscillator producing a clock signal at a predetermined frequency; a latch circuit producing a pulse width modulation signal with a desired duty factor based on the comparison signal and the clock signal; an output transistor for which switching control is performed based on the pulse width modulation signal, the output transistor having one end from which a switching voltage in the form of a rectangular wave is outputted; and a phase compensation circuit connected between an output terminal of the latch circuit and a feedback voltage input terminal of the comparator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Daiki Yanagishima
  • Publication number: 20080150508
    Abstract: A current-mode controlled switching regulator and control method therefor. The switching regulator includes input and output terminals, a switching device to switch in accordance with a control signal, an inductor to store charge from an input voltage at the input terminal based on the switching device, a rectifying device to discharge the charge stored in the inductor, an error amplifier to amplify a voltage difference between a divided voltage generated by dividing an output voltage at the output terminal and a predetermined reference voltage, a slope voltage generator to generate and output a slope voltage having a slope angle corresponding to the input voltage, and a switching controller to compare a voltage output from the error amplifier with the slope voltage, generate a pulse signal with a duty cycle corresponding to a comparison result, and control the switching of the switching device according to the pulse signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: Shohtaroh Sohma
  • Publication number: 20080150509
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a voltage adjusting system and method for adjusting a driving voltage of a thermal print head by utilizing an electronic variable resistor. The voltage adjusting system includes a power converter, a voltage divider, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and a controller. The system and method of the present invention obtains a detecting voltage value through a feedback mechanism and the ADC, and then utilizes the detecting voltage value to control the electronic variable resistor implemented in the voltage divider to adjust the driving voltage of the thermal print head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Kai-Hsiang Liu, Chia-Fu Chen
  • Publication number: 20080150510
    Abstract: A three-phase AC voltage regulator is for adjusting a line voltage on transmission lines. The three-phase AC voltage regulator includes a sampling circuit, a reference-voltage circuit, a comparator, a switch, a power supply, and a compensator. The sampling circuit is for sampling the line voltage. The reference-voltage circuit is for receiving a line-to-line voltage from the transmission lines and generating a standard voltage. The comparator is for comparing the line voltage and the standard voltage to obtain a signal. The switch is for being turned on or off based on the signal. The power supply is for supplying various electric powers to the compensator. The compensator is for receiving the electric power and generating compensating voltages. The compensating voltages are used to compensate the line voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: SHIH-FANG WONG, TSUNG-JEN CHUANG, JUN LI
  • Publication number: 20080150511
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a voltage reference circuit is configured to use two differentially coupled transistors to form a delta Vbe for the voltage reference circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: Paolo Migliavacca