Patents Issued in July 29, 2008
  • Patent number: 7405503
    Abstract: The present invention provides a rotating electric machine in which damage to a magnet from heat is prevented, eddy current loss is reduced while decreasing an eddy current generated in a permanent magnet, and furthermore, time and cost for manufacturing can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuaki Aoyama
  • Patent number: 7405504
    Abstract: A rotor for a rotary electric machine includes a rotor core made of magnetic material, and being in the form of a disk, and a plurality of magnet sets each including a pair of permanent magnets whose polarities are identical to each other. The magnet sets are arranged circumferentially in the rotor core so that the polarities of the magnet sets change alternately. The rotor core includes nonmagnetic portions each formed between adjacent two of the magnet sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., National University Corporation Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
    Inventors: Minoru Arimitsu, Kan Akatsu
  • Patent number: 7405505
    Abstract: A rotary electric machine includes a frame; a stator whose stator-slot number Ns is 12; a rotor whose rotor-pole number Np is 8, the rotor being disposed inside the stator. The frame has a frame thickness T(?) at mechanical angle ?, with respect to a reference line that connects the inner circumferential center of the frame with an arbitrary point, other than the center, around the center that is circularly expanded in a Fourier series. The difference between the stator-slot number Ns and the rotor-pole number Np is k (=|Ns?Np|).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichi Yamaguchi, Haruyuki Kometani, Chiyo Fujino, Tomohiro Kikuchi, Takashi Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 7405506
    Abstract: A driving mechanism configured to turn a plate member with respect to a frame member around a predetermined turning axis includes a pair of supporting members supporting the plate member, a pair of actuators provided on both sides with respect to the turning axis and on the same surface side of the plate member. Each of the actuators includes a fixed electrode unit fixed to the frame member and a movable electrode unit fixed to the plate member. The fixed electrode unit includes a substrate, a pair of fixed comb electrodes provided on both surface sides of the substrate. The movable electrode unit includes a pair of movable comb electrodes, each of which engages with the corresponding fixed comb electrode with a gap therebetween. Both pairs of the fixed comb electrode and the corresponding movable comb electrode are configured such that a voltage can be applied therebetween independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignees: Tohoku University, Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Masayoshi Esashi, Naoki Kikuchi, Rogerio Jun Mizuno, Masanori Maeda, Satoshi Karasawa
  • Patent number: 7405507
    Abstract: A positioner includes a capacitative element with which an ohmic resistance is connected in parallel. The value of the ohmic resistance is sensed at specific points in time. To enhance operating reliability during operation of the positioner, correct functioning of the ohmic resistance is monitored, and a fault signal is outputted upon detection of a malfunction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Knicker, Udo Schulz, Andreas Huber, Johannes-Joerg Rueger
  • Patent number: 7405508
    Abstract: The invention relates to precision instrument engineering and can be used in order to create microdisplacements in micron and submicron ranges for cellular microtechnologies (by engineering, gene engineering, reproductive diology and medicine, neurobiology, microphysiology, cytology, etc.), micromechanics and for the electronics and other industries. Said invention is characterized by reduced associated mechanical vibrations of a micromanipulator, high resolution (accuracy), a decreased number of single displacements, the extended speed adjustment range and functional capabilities of the micromanipulator. The inventive micromanipulator comprises a small movable table attached to a drive which is connected to a control unit and embodied in the form of a shaft provided with a rotor which is linked with annular piezoelements by means of pushers. One piezoelement is arranged on the shaft and the second piezoelement on a body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Inventor: Serhiy Feclorovich Petrenko
  • Patent number: 7405509
    Abstract: In a lever-arm displacement-increasing device, two lever arms are joined at one end. The other end of one of the lever arms is connected to a fixed portion that supports the rear end of an actuator element, and the other end of the other lever arm is connected to a rigid connecting portion connected to the front end of the actuator element. The displacement force of the actuator element is transmitted to the lever arms through the connecting portion, and is further transmitted to a joint between the lever arms. The joint functions as an output displacing portion. The joint changes the displacing direction of the actuator element to a direction orthogonal thereto, and produces a displacement larger than the displacement of the actuator element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Ohashi, Masaru Uryu
  • Patent number: 7405510
    Abstract: A system and method for removing unwanted heat generated by a piezoelectric element of an ultrasound transducer. Some implementations have high thermal conductivity (HTC) material placed adjacent to the piezoelectric element. The HTC material can be thermally coupled to one or more heat sinks. Use of HTC material in conjunction with these piezoelectric element surfaces is managed to avoid degradation of propagating acoustic energy. Use of the HTC material in conjunction with heat sinks allows for creation of thermal paths away from the piezoelectric element. Active cooling of the heat sinks with water or air can further draw heat from the piezoelectric element. Further implementations form a composite matrix of thermally conductive material or interleave thermally conductive layers with piezoelectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: UST, Inc.
    Inventors: Perry Kaminski, Yu-Chi Chu
  • Patent number: 7405512
    Abstract: An acoustic transducer comprises a ferroelectric crystal having a plurality of spaced apart ferroelectric domain inverted regions and at least one non-inverted region. An electrode layer is disposed on one side of the crystal electrically contacting both the domain inverted portion and the non-inverted portion of the crystal. On a side of the crystal opposite the electrode layer, a first electrode is disposed on the domain inverted portion spaced apart from a second electrode disposed on the non-inverted portion. As a result, the acoustic transducer provides sub-transducers hooked in series having effective areas defined by the areas of their respective electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Gooch and Housego PLC
    Inventor: Christopher N. Pannell
  • Patent number: 7405513
    Abstract: An electron emission device includes a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other and forming a vacuum vessel. An electron emission region is provided on the first substrate, and a light-emitting region having a light-emitting area and a non-light-emitting area is provided on the second substrate. The light-emitting region includes at least one phosphor layer formed on the second substrate. At least one anode covers the phosphor layer. The anode is also positioned such that there is no gap between the anode and the non-light-emitting area. The shape of the anode in light-emitting areas follows the shape of the phosphor layer with a gap between the anode and the phosphor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Soo-Joung Lee
  • Patent number: 7405514
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a display device (1A) including a plurality of display elements (10A) formed on a substrate (2A). Each of the display elements (10A) includes an organic segment (4A) containing an organic compound which generates light upon application of an electric field, and a first and a second electrode elements (3A, 5A) for applying the electric field to the organic segment (4A). The first electrode segment (3A), the organic segment (4A) and the second electrode segment (4A) are formed on the substrate (2A). In this case, the second electrode segment (5A) is provided with an opening (52A) for allowing passage of light generated in the organic segment (4A). The first and second electrode segments may be formed adjacent to each other in a plane parallel to the substrate. In this case, the organic segment is formed so as to cover both the first and second electrode elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroki Tsujimura
  • Patent number: 7405515
    Abstract: A display device using an organic light emitting element is provided which is structured so as to ensure excellent display performance by avoiding dot defect and improve long-term reliability. The distance between an organic light emitting element and a sealing substrate is controlled using the top of a bank that is placed in a pixel portion and the top of an insulating film that is placed in a driving circuit portion. As a result, a gap is provided between the organic light emitting element and the sealing substrate and a damage to the organic light emitting element can be avoided. Furthermore, the sealing substrate can be as close to an element substrate as possible, thereby keeping the amount of moisture that enters the display device from its sides small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Rumo Satake
  • Patent number: 7405516
    Abstract: A PDP constructed out of one or more Plasma-shells with a luminescent substance(s) located in close proximity to each Plasma-shell. The luminescent substance comprises a combination of an organic luminescent substance and an inorganic luminescent substance. The combination may be a mixture of organic and inorganic substances. Layers of organic and inorganic substances may be used. Each Plasma-shell is a hollow geometric body filled with an ionizable gas at a suitable pressure. Photons from the gas discharge inside the Plasma-shell excite the luminescent substance. In one embodiment the luminescent substance is located on the external surface of the Plasma-shell. In another embodiment, the luminescent substance is located inside the Plasma-shell. Plasma-shell includes Plasma-sphere, Plasma-disc, and Plasma-dome. The Plasma-shell may be used in combination with a Plasma-tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Imaging Systems Technology
    Inventor: Carol Ann Wedding
  • Patent number: 7405517
    Abstract: Provided is a plasma display panel (PDP) that displays images by generating discharges in discharge cells in response to a power supplied through a metal electrode disposed toward a surface of the plasma display panel on which images are displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jung-Tae Park
  • Patent number: 7405518
    Abstract: MgO pellets are provided for use as a protective layer for a plasma display panel providing improved physical properties. The plasma display panel includes first and second substrates facing each other. A plurality of first and second electrodes are internally formed on the first and the second substrates. Dielectric layers cover the first and the second electrodes and a MgO protective layer covers one of the dielectric layer. The MgO protective layer has 400 columnar crystals per ?m2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ki-Dong Kim
  • Patent number: 7405519
    Abstract: A flat fluorescent lamp is provided. Wherein, a discharge gas is disposed in a chamber, and a fluorescent material is disposed on a first inner wall and a second inner wall of the chamber. First electrode sets are disposed on the first inner wall, and second electrode sets aligned with the first electrodes sets are disposed on the second inner wall. A dielectric layer overlies the electrode sets. Each first electrode set comprises two first electrodes and a second electrode disposed between these first electrodes. Each second electrode set comprises two third electrodes and a fourth electrode disposed between these third electrodes. A first light-emitting area and a second light-emitting area are formed in each pair of the corresponding first and second electrode sets, and the projections of the first and second light-emitting areas on the first inner wall are not overlaid or just partially overlaid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Chunghwa Picture Tubes, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chu-Chi Ting, Yu-Heng Hsieh, Hao-Ping Cheng
  • Patent number: 7405520
    Abstract: A curved lamp manufacturing method including a curving process in which a straight glass tube sealed with reduced pressure inside is heated and curved. The curving process includes: a first step of holding a predetermined portion of the glass tube using a first chuck, and holding one end portion of the glass tube using a second chuck such that the second chuck can slide in a longitudinal direction of the glass tube; and a second step of, while heating a planned curved portion of the glass tube positioned between the predetermined portion and the end portion by a heater, curving the planned curved portion by moving the second chuck relative to the glass tube. The end portion is moved in the second step so that a weight of the end portion is applied to the planned curved portion that has been softened by the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironobu Ueno, Takaharu Yanata, Hayato Kameyama, Yoshimitsu Mino, Akio Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 7405521
    Abstract: A workpiece is processed with a plasma in a vacuum plasma processing chamber by exciting the plasma at several frequencies such that the excitation of the plasma by the several frequencies simultaneously causes several different phenomena to occur in the plasma. The chamber includes central top and bottom electrodes and a peripheral top and/or bottom electrode arrangement that is either powered by RF or is connected to a reference potential by a filter arrangement that passes at least one of the plasma excitation frequencies to the exclusion of other frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Raj Dhindsa, S. M. Reza Sadjadi, Felix Kozakevich, Dave Trussell, Lumin Li, Eric Lenz, Camelia Rusu, Mukund Srinivasan, Aaron Eppler, Jim Tietz, Jeffrey Marks
  • Patent number: 7405522
    Abstract: A shut-down circuit configured for use with an electronic ballast coupled to a lamp in a control path includes a device for sensing the electrical energy associated with the control path, and a sensing circuit for shutting down the ballast in the event that the energy does not conform to a predetermined condition. The sensed energy may be current indicative of lamp installation or removal, or voltage indicative of arcing. The device for sensing the electrical energy associated with the control path may be an isolation transformer or alternative devices such as optical isolators may be employed. The circuitry may further include electronic componentry to disable the sensing circuit during initial energization of the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Q Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Stack
  • Patent number: 7405523
    Abstract: An electronic ballast system controls one or more ballasts of HID or fluorescent lamps, which are controlled in an “on/off” manner by a ultra low power controller that is isolated for a primary power circuit or derives its very low switch power from the ballast itself. The on/off control provides a near lossless control system. This system may be applied to electronic ballast for operates at fractional power levels corresponding to different lighting intensities and with conventional occupancy sensors. The system may also be applied to other electronically compatible end-use devices and applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Inventors: William George Wilhelm, Paul Savage
  • Patent number: 7405524
    Abstract: A lighting control system is disclosed. The lighting control system is electrically coupled to a load circuit for controlling indoor and/or outdoor lighting. The lighting control system includes a control module with a night light for providing low-level night light illumination and one or more sensors for operatively controlling the indoor and/or outdoor lighting and the night light in response to measured light levels and/or detected motion. The system is preferably configured to provide low-level night light from the night light when measured light levels and detected motion are below threshold values and to automatically turn on the indoor and/or outdoor lighting and simultaneously turn off the night light when measured light levels and detected motion are above the threshold values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: The Watt Stopper Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Null, Melissa Lynn Smith, Thomas Joseph T J Beyer
  • Patent number: 7405525
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the control of an electric machine (5), wherein a control unit (1) comprises a parameterisable speed control (26) and a parameterisable additional control (28). The electric machine (5) is provided in order to modify the position of a displaceable machine part (7,8). The position (29) of the displaceable machine part (7,8) is detected and at least one parameter (31) of the speed control (26) and/or at least one parameter (33) of the additional control (28) is modified according to the position (29) of the displaceable machine part (7,8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Hoppe, Tibor Seres
  • Patent number: 7405526
    Abstract: The SOC of a battery is calculated based on the voltage Vb and current Ib of a battery, and a battery electromotive voltage Vbo is calculated based on the SOC of the battery. Based on the battery electromotive voltage Vbo and the voltage Vc of a capacitor connected on the output side of the DC/DC converter, a duty ratio D(=Vbo/2Vc) achieving the maximum battery power is set as the lower limit value DL of the optimum duty range DR, so that the lower limit value DL is varied according to the SOC of the battery. The duty ratio D is limited so as to fall within the optimum duty range DR, and the DC/DC converter is controlled to be driven using the limited duty ratio D.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Eiji Sato
  • Patent number: 7405527
    Abstract: A method for controlling an electronically commutated DC motor is provided, the DC motor including at least one particularly permanent magnetic rotor and a wound stator, which is a drive motor for an adjuster device on a pneumatically operated disc brake. The rotor position is determined from electrically measured parameters without sensing of the rotor position. The invention is characterized in that two determination methods for determining the rotor position from electrically measured parameters are combined with each other, whereby one is an inductive measurement and a further one of the determination methods is a measurement of the inducted voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Baumgartner, Guenther Gschossmann
  • Patent number: 7405528
    Abstract: A motor drive system control provides global closed loop feedback to cooperatively operate system components to adaptively reduce noise and provide noise cancellation feedback. An active EMI filter reduces differential and common mode noise on an input and provides a noise level indication to a system controller. Power switches in both a power converter and power inverter are cooperatively controlled with dynamic dv/dt control to reduce switching noise according to a profile specified by the controller. The dv/dt control is provided as an analog signal to a high voltage IC and codified as a pulse width for a level shifting circuit supplying control signals to the high voltage gate drive. A noise extraction circuit and technique obtain fast noise sampling to permit noise cancellation and adaptive noise reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventors: Eddy Ying Yin Ho, Yong Li, Jun Honda, David Tam, Toshio Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7405529
    Abstract: A system for controlling a linear compressor, generates freezing force as a piston reciprocates according to rotation of a motor which receives alternating current power through a triac. The system includes a controller which moves up or delays a trigger signal corresponding to an absorption cycle or a compression cycle, such that the center point of the piston reaches a resonant point when a current and a phase difference of the motor deviate from predetermined ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nam Su Kim, Ji Heon Lim, Sung Mo Lee
  • Patent number: 7405530
    Abstract: A movable barrier controller 41 has a force control 44 having a corresponding setting range. As operating conditions change, the barrier controller 41 can execute a learning mode 51. During this mode, the barrier controller 41 operates the barrier movement motor 42 and measures 53 at least one parameter that corresponds to operation of the motor 42. This measured parameter is used to determine 54 a control value which control value is then assigned 55 to a specific location within the setting range of the force control 44.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert R. Keller, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7405531
    Abstract: Torque control capability is provided to a position controlled robot by calculating joint position inputs from transformation of the desired joint torques. This is based on calculating the transfer function 1/E(s), which relates the desired joint torque to joint position. Here E(s) is a servo transfer function D(s) or an effective servo transfer function D*(s). The use of an effective servo transfer function D*s) is helpful in cases where joint nonlinearities are significant. The effective servo transfer function D*(s) is defined with respect to an ideal joint transfer function G*(s)=1/(Ieffs2+beffs), where Ieff is an effective moment of inertia and beff is an effective damping coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Oussama Khatib, Peter Thaulad, Jaehoung Park
  • Patent number: 7405532
    Abstract: A microstepper motor device and method of controlling the device uses a microcontroller that provides current sinusoidal values from at least one array of sinusoidal values to power circuitry of the device in response to control signals. The power circuitry is connected to a stepper motor of the device to supply power signals to the stepper motor using the current sinusoidal values. The microcontroller is configured to index the at least one array of sinusoidal values to the current sinusoidal values in response to the control signals as part of an interrupt service routine of the microcontroller. The microcontroller is further configured to transmit the current sinusoidal values to the power circuitry as part of a non-interrupt routine of the microcontroller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Arcus Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher C. Chang
  • Patent number: 7405533
    Abstract: After a power source is turned on, the motor stars by feeding a current to the auxiliary wiring for a first predetermined period. Then, a voltage induced in the auxiliary wiring is detected. Whether or not the detected inducted voltage is lower than a predetermined voltage is judged. The detected induced voltage is judged to be lower than the predetermined voltage when the shredder cannot cut the paper and the rotation speed of the motor is decreased. In this case, since the current is fed to the auxiliary wiring for a second predetermined period, the rotation speed of the motor is increased and an output torque is also increased, which leads to the cuttable state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Tsubaki Emerson Co.
    Inventors: Tsuneo Nagahama, Yoshiaki Yokoi
  • Patent number: 7405534
    Abstract: An apparatus controlling a velocity of a motor having a rotor, includes a sensing velocity calculator sensing a rotation velocity of the motor, and calculating a sensing velocity on the basis of the sensed rotation velocity of the motor; a velocity estimator estimating an estimation velocity of the motor based on an information about a position error of the rotor; and a reference velocity calculator dividing an overall velocity period of the motor into a plurality of unit velocity periods based on a command velocity for controlling the rotation velocity of the motor, calculating a sum of the sensing velocity, the estimation velocity, and the command velocity after multiplying at least one of the sensing velocity, the estimation velocity, and the command velocity by a predetermined weight, and outputting the sum as a reference estimation velocity of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyun-bae Kim
  • Patent number: 7405535
    Abstract: A system and method for recharging secondary batteries. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a supervisory circuit, a voltage converter, a portable power source, and one or more of a holder and a socket. The holder is adapted to receive a specific type of secondary battery of a portable device. The socket is adapted to mate with a plug of a device-specific charging cord connected to the portable device. Each of the holder and the plug can be associated with a programming resistor that provides a voltage requirement of the secondary battery. When the secondary battery is either placed in the holder or is connected to the socket, the supervisory circuit communicates with the voltage converter to supply the appropriate voltage required to recharge the secondary battery. The voltage converter receives power from the portable power source. The voltage converter can convert the voltage of the portable power source up (i.e., increasing the voltage) or down (i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Delaware Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventors: Melvin D. Frerking, John Keith Parker, Alonzo L. Watts
  • Patent number: 7405536
    Abstract: A charger having a controller with an input and an output, a first terminal for connecting a battery pack to the controller, a connecting line disposed between the first terminal and the input of the controller, a current source connected to the controller for providing power to the battery pack. The current source provides power to the battery pack via the connecting line. The controller sends a pulse signal unto the connecting line via the output, so that the controller can determine whether the battery pack is connected to the charger by the presence of the pulse signal in the input of the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Fred S. Watts
  • Patent number: 7405537
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for estimating the remaining state-of-charge of a non-rechargeable power source, such as a back-up battery for an electronic module normally connected to a primary power source. A processor within the electronic module implements a prediction algorithm, in order to monitor the temperature of the back-up attery, and to calculate various current draws of the back-up battery. The processor adjusts the nominal self-discharge rate of the back-up battery in accordance with the measured temperatures, and calculates an adjusted self-discharge quantity. The processor also accumulates current draw data and reduces the initial state-of-charge value of the back-up battery by the temperature-adjusted self-discharge quantity and the cumulative current draw quantities to determine a remaining state-of-charge of the back-up battery. At a predetermined state-of-charge threshold level, an indicator can be activated to advise a user to replace the back-up battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Allan J. Hoffman, Edward J. Abeska, Scott A. Rush
  • Patent number: 7405538
    Abstract: A method of charging a NiMH or NiCd battery such that charging does not occupy a substantial amount of time and such that the operating temperature of the battery is reduced during the lifetime of the battery, thereby extending the life of the battery. This invention is a method of charging that is accomplished using a temperature differential method to continuously regulate the rate of charge injected into the battery. An amplifier is used to amplify the difference in temperature between one or more cases in which the battery is contained and ambient temperature. In this method, the greater the difference in temperature, the lower the charging current is injected into the battery. The method of charging may be incorporated into uninterruptible power supply equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: C. Michael Hoff, James E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7405539
    Abstract: The present invention provides a battery charger and a method for preventing an overshoot charging current during a mode transition. The battery charger includes a charging regulation circuit for outputting a charging current whose amount is regulated based on a regulation signal at a control terminal, a first current sensing unit for sensing a current level and outputting an error signal based on both the current level and a first reference signal, an operational amplifier for generating the regulation signal, and a reference voltage generator which includes an ADC for converting the error signal outputted by the current sensing unit to a digital signal, and a DAC for converting the digital signal to a reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Mediatek Incorporation
    Inventor: Pi-Fen Chen
  • Patent number: 7405540
    Abstract: A method and system for powering at least one switch provided on the steering wheel assembly of a marine vehicle. A rechargeable accumulator is provided in the steering wheel assembly. The switch is powered from the accumulator. An energy source is provided for recharging the accumulator. A detected energy level and/or a detected time elapsed is compared to a threshold value corresponding to the energy level being sufficient to power the switch and enable its use and determine if there is energy sufficiency or an energy insufficiency in the accumulator. If the comparison yields an energy insufficiency, the energy source is instructed to recharge the accumulator, and hence increase its energy level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Teleflex Megatech, Inc.
    Inventor: Yvan Lafontaine
  • Patent number: 7405541
    Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a control apparatus for an automotive alternator which includes a switch, a target voltage setter, a voltage regulator, and a disconnection detector. The switch is configured to be selectively turned on and off so as to intermittently excite the alternator. The target voltage setter works to set a target voltage. The voltage regulator works to regulate an output voltage of the alternator to the target voltage through controlling on/off operation the switch. The disconnection detector works to detect disconnection between the alternator and an on-board battery to be charged by the alternator. The disconnection detector is configured to detect the disconnection, when the target voltage is changed from a lower value to a higher value, based on a time required for the voltage regulator to bring the output voltage of the alternator from the lower value to the higher value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takatoshi Inokuchi, Tomomi Tsuzuki, Tadatoshi Asada
  • Patent number: 7405542
    Abstract: A system that selectively alters a phase angle of an electrical generator. The system has a powered input shaft for transmitting power and an output shaft for receiving power for delivery to the electrical generator. A coupler portion interconnects the input shaft with the output shaft and transmits power therebetween. The coupler portion is selectively moveable in an axial direction between a first axial position wherein the input shaft and output shaft are disposed at a first relative angular position, and a second axial position wherein the input shaft and output shaft are disposed at a second relative angular position different than the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Michael B. McAvoy
  • Patent number: 7405543
    Abstract: In a device for regulating the power output of an electrical generator in motor vehicles having an internal combustion engine, in which the generator has a regulator unit, which prevents exceeding at least one limiting temperature by regulation, the regulator unit is connected via a bidirectional interface to an electronic control unit assigned to the internal combustion engine. The control unit and the regulator unit are designed in such a way that the regulator unit, after transmitting at least one value relevant to the limiting temperature from the control unit to the regulator unit, stores the particular applicable limiting temperature determined by this value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Manfred Schmid
  • Patent number: 7405544
    Abstract: A voltage regulating circuit has a first switch, a transformer and a second switch. The first switch has an input node, a first node and a second node. The transformer is connected to the switches has a first coil and a second coil. The first coil and the second coil respectively have an end, and the second coil is connected to the first coil in series at a node. The node between the first and second coils is connected to the second node of the first switch. The second switch is connected to the transformer and has a first node, a second node and an output node. The first node is connected to the end of the first coil. The second node is connected to the first node of the first switch. The transformer will not heat up when the transformer needs not to be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Cyber Power System Inc.
    Inventors: Shou-Ting Yeh, Lien-Hsun Ho, Yuan-Liang Hsu
  • Patent number: 7405545
    Abstract: The present invention proposes a voltage-regulator and a power supply having a current-sharing circuit. The voltage-regulator capable of current sharing uses an enabling terminal as a current-sharing control interface. A pass transistor supplies an output voltage and an output current to an output terminal of the voltage-regulator. A feedback control circuit generates a control signal to control the pass transistor in response to a reference voltage. A current-sharing unit is coupled to the enabling terminal and the feedback control circuit for generating a bus signal in response to the current-sense signal and the reference voltage and generating the reference signal in response to the reference voltage, the bus signal and the current-sense signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: System General Corp.
    Inventor: Ta-yung Yang
  • Patent number: 7405546
    Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit has a first amplifier stage with input and output terminals, a feedback terminal, a pole-inducing transistor, and a compensating network coupled to the output terminal. A second amplifier stage has an input coupled to the first amplifier output, first and second current mirrors, and a pass transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Hafid Amrani, Hubert Cordonnier, Xavier Rabeyrin
  • Patent number: 7405547
    Abstract: A stabilized DC power supply circuit of the present invention includes an output current limiting circuit for limiting an output current of an output transistor, and a correction circuit for correcting variation of restriction in the output current caused by variation in a current amplification factor of the output transistor. The correction circuit includes a correcting transistor that is manufactured in the same manufacturing process as the output transistor and formed so as to have the same tendency of manufacturing process variation in current amplification factor etc. as that of the output transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takao Kanzaki
  • Patent number: 7405548
    Abstract: Circuit for generating a supply voltage having a voltage input connected to a voltage regulator that generates a first supply voltage and to a low-noise voltage regulator that generates a low-noise supply voltage. A control unit determines which of the two supply voltages is switched to a supply voltage output of the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Admir Alihodzic, Thomas Jean Ludovic Baglin
  • Patent number: 7405549
    Abstract: A soft start circuit includes a constant current source for generating a constant current, a first current mirror circuit for generating from the constant current a first mirror current, a second current mirror circuit for generating from the constant current a second mirror current smaller than the first mirror current, and a capacitor into which a difference between the first mirror current and the second mirror current is introduced, wherein a divided voltage of a charging voltage thereof is output as a soft start voltage. The soft start circuit provides a gradual soft start voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 7405550
    Abstract: A control input of an electrical device is disclosed, which is resistant to parasitic currents and which is especially suitable for a large bandwidth of various driving voltages. For this purpose, a control input circuit includes a constant current sink connected to a control line, whose current consumption during the duration of the detection pulse assumes a detection value relative which the power consumption between two successive detection pulses is reduced. The circuit also includes an evaluation module that analyzes the input current flowing in the control line and that indicates a control signal if, during the detection pulse, the input current does not fall below a predetermined switch-on value for a predetermined duty cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Walter Apfelbacher, Norbert Reichenbach, Johann Seitz
  • Patent number: 7405551
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus to regulate voltage supply have been disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a power converter block to generate an output voltage from an input voltage and a voltage regulator controller coupled to the power converter block to input at least one time-modulated signal to the power converter block, the at least one time-modulated signal having a duty cycle, the voltage regulator controller including a counter having an increment value substantially proportional to the input voltage, wherein the counter is used to adjust the duty cycle of the at least one time-modulated signal. Other embodiments have been claimed and described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Edward A. Burton, Robert Greiner, Anant Deval, Douglas R. Huard
  • Patent number: 7405552
    Abstract: An temperature sensor circuit is disclosed. In one embodiment, the temperature sensor comprises an input circuit with a current mirror for forcing a current down a reference stage and an output stage. The reference stage and the output stage include P-N junctions (e.g., using bipolar transistors) with differing junction potentials. By tailoring the resistances in the reference and output stages, the input circuit produces two output voltages, one of which varies predictably with temperature, and one which is stable with temperature. The input circuit is preferably used in conjunction with an amplifier stage which preferably receives both the temperature-sensitive and non-temperature-sensitive outputs. Through various resistor configurations in the amplifier stage, the output of the temperature sensor can be made to vary at a higher sensitivity than produced by the temperature-sensitive output of the input circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Bo Liu
  • Patent number: 7405553
    Abstract: To ensure high level of reliability, it is desirable to test an electrical device, such as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system, periodically with minimum possible energy usage and without compromising reliability. A regenerative load (RGL) unit is described which makes it possible to conduct a load test of a UPS system and supply a portion of the energy used for the load test from a generator in the RGL unit. An induction motor driven by an adjustable speed drive and coupled to an induction generator is used in the RGL unit to supply the load to the electrical device and supply a portion of the power used by the electrical device under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventor: Veerabhadra R. Kattoju