Patents Issued in October 21, 2008
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Patent number: 7439689Abstract: In one aspect, an impedance component which exhibits a high impedance in a high frequency region is arranged on a high pressure line formed on a secondary side of a transformer. The potential difference generated at both ends of the impedance component is used to detect an abnormal electrical discharge generated in the high pressure line. When the abnormal electrical discharge is detected, a switching operation is stopped by a controlling circuit, whereby a protection operation is performed.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Taiyo Yuden Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hirofumi Honda, Shinichi Ishida, Tatsuya Sakurai
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Patent number: 7439690Abstract: A lighting control technology for a discharge lamp can be capable of suppressing start-up variations of luminous flux in consideration of variations in lamp voltage. A discharge lamp lighting apparatus can include a lamp voltage detection circuit and a lamp current detection circuit for detecting a lamp voltage and a lamp current of a discharge lamp, respectively. The lamp can include a control circuit for performing a starting-time control for applying a current or power several times as high as a rated value of the lamp in order to light the discharge lamp substantially instantaneously, and a stable-time control for lighting the discharge lamp stably at substantially constant rated power. The lamp current or lamp power can be controlled from a starting time to a stable time in accordance with the voltage value detected by the lamp voltage detection circuit.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shinji Fukuwa
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Patent number: 7439691Abstract: To shorten the luminous flux rise time and prevent melting/deformation of the projections in the initial ignition period of high pressure discharge lamps that have a sealed mercury volume of no less than 0.20 mg/mm3, a power supply device feeds a current that exceeds the maximum current value of the constant power control period to the high pressure discharge lamp during a first control period from the initial discharge until the lamp voltage reaches a specified lamp voltage and causes a switch to constant power control, and then, during the following period until a change to steady power control, the power supply device feeds it a current that is less than the maximum current during regular operation.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2007Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Ushiodenki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Katsumi Sugaya, Izumi Takaya, Tomoyoshi Arimoto
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Patent number: 7439692Abstract: A linear compressor and apparatus to control the linear compressor are provided which allows a frequency of a drive current supplied to a drive motor to synchronize with a resonance frequency varying according to a load fluctuation, in real time, thus obtaining a maximum efficiency of the linear compressor. The linear compressor includes a drive motor, a piston reciprocating by the drive motor and a control unit generating a reference current having a phase difference of 90° with respect to a displacement waveform of the piston and a frequency equal to the displacement waveform of the piston, and controls a drive current supplied to the drive motor to synchronize with a resonance frequency of the piston by synchronizing the drive current with the reference current.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2004Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kwang Woon Lee
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Patent number: 7439693Abstract: A control unit of a motor driver performs feedback control to supply current to a linear motor based on a detection value of a linear encoder. An anomaly detection unit monitors the supply current to the linear motor, and the anomaly detection unit detects anomaly of a linear motion apparatus based on a waveform of the supply current. In the case where the anomaly is detected, a user is notified of warning by means of a lamp, a buzzer, an e-mail, and the like. Therefore, the anomaly of the linear motion apparatus can be detected early and accurately.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: THK Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuo Shoda, Yuki Nomura, Yoshifumi Nagato
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Patent number: 7439694Abstract: An adjustable lectern includes a base portion having a tubular upstanding base member and a tubular upstanding tower member that is mounted in a telescoping arrangement with respect to the base member. The base member and the tower member are each respectively formed as rigid tubes or channels by a single, unitary piece of material such as sheet metal. The lectern further includes a work platform that is positioned at an upper end of the tower portion. The work platform is both vertically and horizontally adjustable with respect to the base portion, so that both users who will be standing behind the lectern making a presentation and users who will be sitting behind the adjustable lectern in a wheelchair when making a presentation may be accommodated. Both the work platform and the base member include industry-standard rackmount structure for facilitating integration of electronic components.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Inventors: Richard B. Atlas, Oleh M. Artym
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Patent number: 7439695Abstract: A mechanical braking system is provided for a vehicle having an electric propulsion system which is utilized for retard speed regulation. While the retard speed regulation is normally performed via electric braking, in some conditions the electric braking is not able to maintain a desired speed for the vehicle. In this condition, upon receipt of a signal from the electric propulsion system, the mechanical braking system is automatically activated so as to maintain the vehicle at the desired speed.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Komatsu America Corp.Inventors: Khanh Tu Ngo, Nobuki Hasegawa, Gerald Horst
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Patent number: 7439696Abstract: A control device of a rotating electric machine to which an inverter is integrally assembled is downsized, and manufacturing costs are reduced. An inverter for controlling outputs from the rotating electric machine is integrated with a rotating electric machine, and in which a control device forming an inverter is constructed of a switching element and a heat sink, a drain electrode terminal of the switching element is directly joined to the heat sink, and a source electrode terminal and gate electrode terminal of the switching element are joined to a metal pattern formed at a connection member.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Hiroyuki Yoshihara, Masao Kikuchi, Masaki Kato, Yoshihito Asao
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Patent number: 7439697Abstract: As a boosting-type motor driving device using no reactor, a motor driving device capable of controlling boosting operation and motor driving at the same time is provided, and an automobile using the motor driving device is also provided. The motor driving device is used for driving a motor with a double-winding structure having a first set of three-phase windings and a second set of three-phase winding which are wound over a stator, and includes first and second inverters, which are connected respectively to the first set of three-phase windings and the second set of three-phase windings, thereby controlling the first and second inverters to control a driving force of the motor with the double-winding structure. The first and second inverters have positive and negative terminals which are connected respectively in common to a high-voltage battery.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Hitachi Ltd.Inventors: Hideki Miyazaki, Satoru Kaneko
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Patent number: 7439698Abstract: An electric motor system having a rotor with a plurality of permanent magnets, and a stator having a winding through which current is flowing for driving the rotor. A control unit controls the current flowing through the winding. The control unit employs a first filter and a second filter, each filter is connected to the winding and has outputs coupled to a comparator. The comparator compares the signal output of the first filter to the signal output of the second filter. The control unit controls the current flowing through the winding depending on the result of the comparison of the two filtered signals.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Harman International Industries, IncorporatedInventors: Michael Ludwig, Oliver Lamparth, Arno Kutzki, Matthias Rupprecht
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Patent number: 7439699Abstract: An animatronics system and method for incorporation in talking toys, puppets, animated special effects and costumes. The system utilizes a removable storage device such as a flash memory chip to store pre-programmed audio and animation data and a microcontroller configured with both an audio player and an animation player. The microcontroller is adapted to access the audio and animation data and play the data in a manner such that the system produces synchronized sound and movement. The system also incorporates an auto-tuning system which automatically calibrates the system to compensate for variations in the arrangement of mechanical components in individual units.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Dreamation, Inc.Inventor: Michael Lawrence Earnest
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Patent number: 7439700Abstract: A control system which is capable of avoiding an overloaded state of an actuator without using sensors or the like. An ECU 2 of the control system 1 calculates a lift control input U_Liftin to a variable valve lift mechanism 50 with an algorithm expressed by equations (2) to (5), such that the valve lift Liftin follows up a target valve lift Liftin_cmd, calculates a cumulative value Simot by cumulative calculation of the product of the value Imot of electric current flowing through the variable valve lift mechanism 50 and a sampling time period Stime, and when SImot?Simot_J1 holds, sets two parameters pole_f_lf and ploe_lf to respective predetermined failure-time parameters pole_f_lf_J1 and ploe_lf_J1 which cause the lift control input U_Liftin to become smaller than when Simot<Simot_J1 holds.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kanako Shimojo, Yuji Yasui
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Patent number: 7439701Abstract: A method and device for detecting an initial excitation phase of a stepping motor is provided, by which an initial excitation phase of a rotor corresponding to a position of a stopper can be detected with a unit of a stepping angle of a microstep drive which is smaller than that of a full step drive without using elements such as magnetoelectric elements. Upon appropriately changing an excitation phase of a stepping motor, on the basis of a generated pattern of an induced electromotive force in an exciting coil in a non-excitation state upon a full step drive, whether or not a pointer comes in contact with a stopper to stop a reverse rotation of the pointer and rotor is judged so that it is specified on which excitation phase the pointer and rotor are reversed, thereby detecting an initial excitation phase of the rotor corresponding to a position of the stopper.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventor: Akihiko Torikoshi
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Patent number: 7439702Abstract: A chiller system includes a switched reluctance motor for powering the compressor of the chiller system. A variable speed drive with a boost converter provides a boosted voltage to the switched reluctance motor. The switched reluctance motor and the compressor may be disposed within the same hermetic enclosure and driven by a common drive shaft. Cooling for both the variable speed drive and the switched reluctance motor is provided from condenser water in the condenser water circuit, or from an intermediate liquid cooled by water from the condenser circuit to increase system efficiency. Windage losses are reduced by barriers introduced within the motor, and by maintaining a reduced pressure in the switched reluctance motor.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: York International CorporationInventors: Stephen Harold Smith, Harold Robert Schnetzka, Ivan Jadric
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Patent number: 7439703Abstract: 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 integrationType: GrantFiled: June 7, 2007Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Kazuya Yasui, Kazuaki Yuuki, Kentaro Suzuki
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Patent number: 7439704Abstract: An object is to provide an inverter device capable of detecting the welding of a switching device in early stages, and in summary, the inverter device is equipped with a parallel circuit of a charging circuit and a switch connected between a battery and an inverter module, and comprises a capacitor charged from the battery via the charging circuit; a resistor to discharge the capacitor; a serial circuit including resistors to detect a voltage after the switch; and a diode connected between a connection point of the serial circuit including the resistors on a positive line and a connection point of the capacitor, and directed forward to the capacitor side.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kenji Nojima, Shigeharu Sasaki
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Patent number: 7439705Abstract: A diagnosis method diagnoses an electronic apparatus that is operable with a battery pack having a memory which stores information. The diagnosis method reads information from the battery pack, and sets the electronic apparatus to a diagnosis mode when the read information indicates the diagnosis mode.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2004Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventor: Nobuyuki Koike
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Patent number: 7439706Abstract: This system provides a method for determining whether ordinary battery cells, a battery pack, and/or a charger unit are attached to a portable electronic device. The system provides a center contact in a battery shaft that contacts a battery pack or a point on an individual battery and allows the device regulation unit to measure the voltage at that point. If the voltage is below a particular threshold, then the system determines that a battery pack may be inserted in the battery shaft and the portable electronic unit enters a battery pack mode. If the voltage is above the threshold voltage, then the portable electronic device enters the battery operation mode. If a voltage transition is sensed on the DEVICE START line, the portable electronic device determines that the charger is installed and the portable electronic device enters the appropriate mode.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2004Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: AKG Acoustics GmbHInventor: Erich Brenner
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Patent number: 7439707Abstract: The present invention relates to a charging technique used in a battery, a charging device, and an information-processing system. According to the present invention, for charging a secondary cell of a battery, charging the secondary cell is controlled based on identifying information output from the battery.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2004Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Souichirou Shigeeda
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Patent number: 7439708Abstract: To reduce power consumption when charging a secondary battery is not performed, a first power supply circuit is disabled but a second power supply circuit is enabled when the secondary battery is unloaded from a battery charger. Both the first and second power supply circuits are enabled when the battery is loaded in the charger. The first power supply circuit is provided for supplying power to the secondary battery. The second power supply circuit is provided for supplying a first voltage to such components that are operated with the first voltage and a second voltage to such components that are operated with the second voltage, wherein the second voltage is greater than the first voltage. When the battery is unloaded from the charger, the second power supply circuit supplies only the first voltage whereas when the battery is loaded in the charger, the second power supply circuit supplies the first and second voltages to the corresponding components.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takao Aradachi, Kazuhiko Funabashi, Nobuhiro Takano
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Patent number: 7439709Abstract: A charger unit for an electronic device that includes a housing, a plurality of charging contacts provided on the housing, and a recess provided in the housing, preferably on a rear face thereof. A plug having a plurality of prongs may be selectively attached to and detached from the housing for electrically connecting the charger unit to a source of charging current. When attached to the housing, one or more of the prongs of the plug are electrically connected to a respective one of the charging contacts. In addition, a plurality of storage sockets are provided in the housing within the recess. Each of the storage sockets are adapted to receive and hold therein a respective one of the prongs of the plug to enable the plug to be safely and securely stored when not in use.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2007Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventor: George Baldwin Bumiller
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Patent number: 7439710Abstract: If the capacity variation is greater than a pre-stored value, the SOC converted from Qmin sometimes cannot recover to a control center value. In such a case, inconveniences including the continuation of an event where the HVECU cannot output a command to stop the charging are prevented by computing an apparatus SOC and reporting the SOC to the HVECU. The apparent SOC is computed by increasing the value of SOC in accordance with the magnitude of the capacity variation. The thus-computed apparent SOC is reported to the HVECU by the battery ECU, so that it can be determined that the control center value has been exceeded. Thus, it becomes possible to provide battery control apparatus, method and program and a battery control system for a battery pack which are capable of controlling the charging/discharging of the battery pack with an improved accuracy despite capacity variation.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2004Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Teruo Ishishita
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Patent number: 7439711Abstract: An energy storage device for use with an electric vehicle includes an electrical energy storage device configured to be coupled to an electrical traction system of the electric vehicle to provide electrical power to the electrical traction system. The energy storage device also includes a sensor integrally mounted within the electrical energy storage device and configured to measure a voltage of the electrical energy storage device. The sensor also includes a status indicator integrally mounted to the electrical energy storage device and configured to provide a visual indication of the voltage.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2004Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Oshkosh CorporationInventor: Michael J. Bolton
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Patent number: 7439712Abstract: An energy collection system may collect and use the energy generated by an electric field. Collection fibers are suspended from a support wire system supported by poles. The support wire system is electrically connected to a load by a connecting wire. The collection fibers may be made of any conducting material, but carbon and graphite are preferred. Diodes may be used to restrict the backflow or loss of energy.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Inventor: Clint McCowen
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Patent number: 7439713Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for producing current with a desired output frequency from one or more fixed or variable speed alternators by varying a saturation level of a portion of the alternator(s) based on a output frequency desired, and preferably then rectifying the output to produce a desired electrical output which may be provided as direct current or alternating current to a suitable load.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.Inventor: Kevin Allan Dooley
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Patent number: 7439714Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for operating a converter system of a wind turbine, wherein the converter system includes converter modules capable of converting electric power produced by a generator to electric power applicable to a utility grid. The converter modules include generator inverters and grid inverters. The method determines the enabling/disabling of the converter modules in response to a parameter related to the variable amount of electric power being produced by the generator. Advantages of the present invention are optimisation of power efficiency of the converter modules and improved reliability of the converter modules. Another advantage is the capability of fast enabling and disabling of the converter modules.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Gamesa Innovation & Technology, S.L.Inventors: Jose Ignacio Llorente Gonzalez, Björn Andresen, Jens Birk
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Patent number: 7439715Abstract: A power generating system provides high voltage AC power and low voltage DC power using a single generator. The generator includes a rotor and a stator that is wound with a first winding and a second winding. The first winding has a greater number of turns than the second winding and generates high voltage AC power in response to the rotating magnetic field created by the rotor. The second winding generates low voltage AC power in response to the rotating magnetic field created by the rotor. The low voltage AC power is converted to low voltage DC power by a rectifier. The low voltage DC power is further controlled by a DC-DC converter to generate controlled DC power. A controller monitors the DC power generated by the DC-DC converter, and generates pulse width modulation signals that are provided to the DC-DC converter, selectively increasing or decreasing the controlled DC power provided by the DC-DC converter.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventors: Gregory I. Rozman, Mahesh J. Shah, Alan E. King
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Patent number: 7439716Abstract: A DC-DC converter and method for compensating for errors in the DC-DC converter. The DC-DC converter includes an inductor coupled for receiving a source of operating voltage through a plurality of switches. The switches are controlled by a control circuit that has first and second circuit paths that are substantially parallel to each other. Each circuit path is comprised of two switched capacitor comparators that are connected in series. The circuit paths function such that during one portion of a clock period one of the circuit paths operates in an error correction mode and the other circuit path operates in a normal mode. During a different portion of the clock period the operational modes of the circuit paths switch. This allows for a calibration interval in a sampled system in which at least one circuit path is always active and responsive to the input signals in a desired manner.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, L.L.C.Inventor: Michael John Gay
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Patent number: 7439717Abstract: A synchronously switched buck post regulator is revealed for multi-output forward converters. The synchronously switched buck post regulator accomplishes precise independent load regulation for each output and reduced magnetics volume by using a coupled inductor with a common core for all outputs plus a second smaller inductor for each output except the highest voltage output.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2007Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Inventor: Ernest Henry Wittenbreder, Jr.
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Patent number: 7439718Abstract: A high-speed voltage regulating apparatus and a method for high-speed voltage regulation. The apparatus includes: (A) a regulator, adapted to provide a regulated voltage; (B) switching circuitry, connected to the regulator, adapted to either (i) connect the regulator to an output node or (ii) disconnect the regulator from the output node; whereas the output node is connected to a dynamic power consuming device and to a load capacitor; (C) control logic, connected to the regulator, adapted to receive at least an indication reflecting a voltage of the output node and to control the switching circuitry such that the regulator is disconnected from the output node to facilitate a decrease in the voltage of the output node.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2004Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.Inventors: Anton Rozen, Michael Priel, Cor H. Voorwinden
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Patent number: 7439719Abstract: A switching control circuit is provided which can increase the off period of a switching element when the on period of the switching element is equal to the sum of the minimum pulse period (blanking period (a fixed period during which drain current is not detected after the switching element is turned on)) and a detection delay period (a period from when the drain current is equal to or higher than a detection criterion to when the switching element is actually turned off) and PWM control is disabled. An off period adjusting circuit generates, when the on period of the switching element is equal to the minimum pulse period, an adjusting signal OFF_C for increasing the off period of the switching element and supplies the signal to an on/off circuit for controlling the periodic on/off operation of the switching element.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiaki Hachiya, Ryutarou Arakawa, Takashi Kunimatsu, Minoru Fukui
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Patent number: 7439720Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for controlling switching regulators to automatically switch from a traditional pulse-width modulation (PWM) mode, when the load current is higher than a predetermined value, to a pulse-frequency modulation (PFM) mode, when the load current drops to a point lower than the predetermine value. Switching modes increases the efficiency of the regulator when the load current is low without provoking a large output voltage transient. In some embodiments, a single switching cycle regulates the output in the PFM mode, which reduces the switching losses and enhances the efficiency of the regulator.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Monolithic Power SystemsInventors: James H. Nguyen, Thomas T. Chiang, Christopher T. Falvey
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Patent number: 7439721Abstract: A constant-on-time power-supply controller includes an adder and a control circuit. The adder generates a sum of a sense voltage and a regulated output voltage generated by a filter inductor. The sense voltage is generated by a sense circuit that sources a current to the filter inductor while the inductor is uncoupled from an input voltage, and the sense voltage is related to the current. The control circuit couples the filter inductor to the input voltage for a predetermined time in response to the sum having a predetermined relationship to a reference voltage. Such a power-supply controller may yield a relatively tight regulation of the output voltage even with a power supply having with a low-ESR filter capacitor, and may do so with little or no additional compensation circuitry as compared to prior controllers and with no additional pin on the power-supply-controller chip.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.Inventors: Da Feng Weng, Jinrong Qian
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Patent number: 7439722Abstract: A method for analyzing the filling of a cigarette by using a sinusoidal mathematical model representing the density of tobacco along the longitudinal axis of the cigarette and by conducting experimental measurements of density and of moisture at a plurality of points along this longitudinal axis, calculating a regression determination coefficient from the measured values, calculating the position of the strengthened tip from the phase ? and the parameters of the model and from experimentally determined constants, calculating the shift of the strengthened tip relatively to the cut and calculating the strengthening index from the values of these constants.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Societe Nationale d'Exploitation Industrielle des Tabacs et Allumettes (SEITA)Inventors: Jean Remi Poulet, Georges Cholet
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Patent number: 7439723Abstract: The present invention determines the resonant frequency of a sensor by adjusting the phase and frequency of an energizing signal until the frequency of the energizing signal matches the resonant frequency of the sensor. The system energizes the sensor with a low duty cycle, gated burst of RF energy having a predetermined frequency or set of frequencies and a predetermined amplitude. The energizing signal is coupled to the sensor via magnetic coupling and induces a current in the sensor which oscillates at the resonant frequency of the sensor. The system receives the ring down response of the sensor via magnetic coupling and determines the resonant frequency of the sensor, which is used to calculate the measured physical parameter. The system uses a pair of phase locked loops to adjust the phase and the frequency of the energizing signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2007Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: CardioMEMS, Inc.Inventors: Mark G. Allen, Michael Ellis, Jason Kroh, Donald J. Miller
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Patent number: 7439724Abstract: An on-chip jitter measurement circuit and corresponding method are provided for receiving a reference clock and a signal of interest, including a latch for comparing the arrival time of the signal of interest to the reference clock, a delay chain in signal communication with the reference clock for varying the arrival time of the reference clock, the delay chain having a first stage, a middle stage, and a last stage, a voltage controller in signal communication with the middle stage of the delay chain for controlling the delay of the arrival time of the reference clock while permitting the first and last stages of the delay chain to retain a full voltage swing independent of the delay.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2003Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: David F. Heidel, Keith A. Jenkins
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Patent number: 7439725Abstract: A multimeter has a housing with at least three input connections, configured as female connectors, for connecting to two measurement lines. When a measurement variable is changed, it is possible to connect at least one of the measurement lines to another input connection. The multimeter has a measurement-range switch which can be moved to a switching position associated with the selected measurement variables, and a mechanical blocking apparatus coupled to the switch. The blocking apparatus allows specific input connections to be blocked such that contact can be made only with the input connections which have an associated measurement variable which corresponds to the measurement variable set by the switch. The blocking apparatus is formed as a pivotable angle lever, and the switch moves end regions of strip-shaped angle limbs of the angle lever to a position aligned with the input connections to be blocked.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: GMC-I Gossen- Metrawatt GmbHInventors: Günter Fischer, Dietmar Koops
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Patent number: 7439726Abstract: A current clamp meter having a current meter body and a detachable current clamp. The current meter body and the current clamp are configured so that the current clamp is detachable from the current meter body and the meter is operable with the current clamp either attached to the current meter body or detached from the current meter body.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Fluke CorporationInventors: Shounan Luo, Wang Yong
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Patent number: 7439727Abstract: A pair of interlocking electrical test probes, each probe having an interlocking end which mates or can be easily joined together with the other's end such that the pair of test probes can be operable with one hand when their respective interlocking ends are joined together. The pair of interlocking electrical test probes also capable of being operated separately or independently, one in each hand when in the unjoined state. When joined together, the pair of interlocking electrical test probes are free to pivot about their interlocked or mated ends, thus allowing the distance between their contact points to be varied while being held in one hand, therefore freeing up an electrician's or technician's other hand to hold a meter, flashlight, schematic or for some other purpose.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2007Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Inventor: Ralph Emery DeFlorio
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Patent number: 7439728Abstract: A system and method for calibration of a test socket using a composite waveform. A group of input signal pins of test system are coupled together. A pin belonging to the group is selected as a pin under calibration. A first calibration edge is applied to the pin under calibration. After a delay, a group of complementary edges is applied to the remaining pins of the group. As a result of the coupling of the pins, a response comprising a reflected edge and a transmitted combined edge are produced, which overlap to form a composite waveform. A comparator is used to detect an observable feature in the composite waveform to obtain timing information with respect to the pin under calibration and the remaining pins of the group. Each pin may be analyzed in turn, and the group of pins calibrated using the acquired information.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Credence Systems CorporationInventor: Robert L. Hickling
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Patent number: 7439729Abstract: A hard disk drive system comprises N hard disk drive means for performing hard disk drive functions and is connected in a daisy chain, wherein N is greater than one. The system includes integrated system test (IST) means for testing and that is integrated with a first one of the N hard disk drive means and includes pattern generating means for generating test pattern data and pattern monitoring means for receiving a returned test pattern. The pattern generating means generates test pattern data that is routed from the first one of the N hard disk drive means serially through the remaining ones of the N hard disk drive means and back to the first one of the N hard disk drive means. The pattern monitoring means generates test result data based on returned test data returned to the first one of the N hard disk drive means.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.Inventors: Saeed Azimi, Son Ho
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Patent number: 7439730Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for analyzing photon emission data to discriminate between photons emitted by transistors and photons emitted by background sources. The analysis involves spatial and/or temporal correlation of photon emissions. After correlation, the analysis may further involve obtaining a likelihood that the correlated photons were emitted by a transistor. After correlation, the analysis may also further involve assigning a weight to individual photon emissions as a function of the correlation. The weight, in some instances, reflecting a likelihood that the photons were emitted by a transistor. The analysis may further involve automatically identifying transistors in a photon emission image.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: DCG Systems, Inc.Inventors: Romain Desplats, Patricia Le Coupanec, William K. Lo, Philippe Perdu, Steven Kasapi
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Patent number: 7439731Abstract: A wafer-scale probe card for temporary electrical contact to a sample wafer or other device, for burn-in and test. The card includes a plurality of directly metallized single-walled or multi-walled nanotubes contacting a pre-arranged electrical contact pattern on the probe card substrate. The nanotubes are arranged into bundles for forming electrical contacts between areas of the device under test and the probe card. The bundles are compressible along their length to allow a compressive force to be used for contacting the probe card substrate to the device under test. A strengthening material may be disposed around and/or infiltrate the bundles. The nanotubes forming the bundles may be patterned to provide a pre-determined bundle profile. Tips of the bundles may be metallized with a conductive material to form a conformal coating on the bundles; or metallized with a conductive material to form a continuous, single contact surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Inventors: Douglas E. Crafts, Jyoti K. Bhardwaj
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Patent number: 7439732Abstract: A rotary magnetic position sensor including a housing, a sensor coupled to the housing, a rotor rotatably mounted to the housing, and a magnet coupled to the rotor and positioned adjacent the sensor. The sensor may be configured to provide a sensor output in response to a rotational position of the rotor relative to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.Inventor: Matthew LaPlaca
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Patent number: 7439733Abstract: A position-sensing system magnetically senses the position of a first component moving with respect to a second component. A magnetically hard layer on the first component provides a recording medium. Information is magnetically recorded in regions of the magnetically hard layer. These regions provide a relative encoding scheme for determining the position of the first component. Magnetic-field sensors are positioned over redundant tracks of magnetically recorded regions. Each magnetic-field sensor positioned over a given track senses the same magnetized regions while the first component moves with respect to the second component. Other magnetic-field sensors can sense ambient fields for use in performing common-mode rejection. A write head can dynamically repair damaged or erased regions detected by the magnetic-field sensors. Energized by a battery-backup power source, the magnetic-field sensors and associated circuitry can continue to track movement of the first component when the machinery is off.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2007Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: SRI InternationalInventors: Donald C. Arns, Jr., Pablo Garcia
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Patent number: 7439734Abstract: A rotary encoder includes a first group of components and a second group of components. The first group of components has a pulse wire, a detector, and a circuit configuration. The second group of components has a magnet and a code element. Upon approach of the magnet to the pulse wire, a voltage pulse is able to be generated by the pulse wire. A signal is able to be generated by the detector as a function of the relative position, and based on the signal, a logic circuit is able to ascertain position information which is able to be stored in a non-volatile memory. Triggered by the voltage pulse, a voltage from a voltage source is able to be applied to the circuit configuration. The circuit configuration is disconnectable again from the voltage source at the latest after the storage of the position information in the memory.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2008Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Johannes Heidenhain GmbHInventor: Peter Fischer
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Patent number: 7439735Abstract: A position sensor including a sensor assembly adapted to mount to a first rail of an automotive seat rail assembly. The sensor assembly includes a Hall device and a magnet. The assembly is mountable to the first rail to cause a first output of the Hall device when the first rail is in a first position relative to a second rail of the automotive seat rail assembly, and to cause a second output of the Hall device when the first rail is in a second position relative to the second rail.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2004Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.Inventors: Susan M. Barnabo, Mark Freeman, Kayvan Hedayat
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Patent number: 7439736Abstract: Magnetic resonance elastography pulse sequences for encoding position and motion of spins, and methods of using the pulse sequences are disclosed. The pulse sequences utilize imaging gradients, comprising a positive lobe and a negative lobe having non-symmetric amplitudes, to encode harmonic or wave motion within a specimen, such as tissue.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2003Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: The Trustees of Dartmouth CollegeInventors: Paul M. Meaney, Keith D. Paulsen, John B. Weaver
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Patent number: 7439737Abstract: A method of magnetic resonance imaging is provided. The method includes the steps of applying a preparation pulse sequence to a subject (16) disposed in an examination region (14), acquiring k-space data related to a plurality of k-space trajectories through the center of k-space such as radial trajectories and reconstructing a first image form the k-space data wherein data within a region (210) around the center of k-space (205) of at least a first of the k-space trajectories is not used. Rather, data of only a limited number of views within said region is used for image reconstruction. Hence, image contrast is essentially determined by said limited number of views.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Steffen Weiss, Tobias Schaeffter
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Patent number: 7439738Abstract: Methods and systems for compensating for static magnetic field inhomogeneities during nuclear magnetic resonance detection are disclosed. Application of radio frequency pulses and/or magnetic field gradients may be used to correct for spin dephasing caused by the inhomogeneities. The methods and system may be used to improve signal-to-noise ratios in NMR and MRI systems where magnetic field inhomogeneity may have an effect.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2007Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: The Regents of The University of CaliforniaInventors: Alexander Pines, Daniel Topgaard, Dimitrios Sakellariou, Rachel W. Martin, Carlos A. Meriles