Patents Issued in April 6, 2010
  • Patent number: 7692322
    Abstract: A wind turbine generator, an active damping method thereof, and a windmill tower in which vibrations of the wind turbine generator itself or the windmill tower can be reduced at low cost are provided. The acceleration due to vibrations of a nacelle (13) is detected with an accelerometer (17) attached to the nacelle (13). In an active damping unit (20), a pitch angle of windmill blades (12) for generating a thrust on the windmill blades (12) so as to cancel out the vibrations of the nacelle (13) is calculated on the basis of the acceleration, and the pitch angle is output as a blade-pitch-angle command ??* for damping. On the other hand, in a pitch-angle control unit (30), a pitch angle of the windmill blades (12) for controlling the output to be a predetermined value is calculated, and the pitch angle is output as a blade-pitch-angle command ?* for output control. The blade-pitch-angle command ??* for damping is combined with the blade-pitch-angle command ?* for output control using a subtracter (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Wakasa, Kazunari Ide, Yoshiyuki Hayashi, Masaaki Shibata
  • Patent number: 7692323
    Abstract: To shorten a startup interval to reach a synchronizing condition, a phase difference and an amplitude difference between the grid voltage and the stator voltage of one phase of a winding are obtained. The difference in amplitude is decreased prior to or in parallel to synchronizing the stator voltage with the grid voltage. The calculated compensation phase compensation value is used as an initial value for synchronizing at the next synchronizing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Ichinose, Motoo Futami, Hiromitsu Sakai
  • Patent number: 7692324
    Abstract: A monitoring system for a machine is provided. The machine includes at least one movable member including at least one sensor configured to generate at least one speed measurement of the moveable member. The machine also includes at least one processor coupled in electronic data communication to the sensor. The sensor is configured to generate at least one time stamp value for the at least one speed measurement signal. The at least one processor is configured to generate a plurality of time-stamped speed measurement signals of the at least one moveable member. The processor is further configured to determine a prioritization of the plurality of time-stamped speed measurement signals as a function of at least one predetermined temporal value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Olga Malakhova, John Wesley Grant, James Joseph Schmid, Timothy J. Clark
  • Patent number: 7692325
    Abstract: In a wind power generation system, an AC input of a unit for coping with system faults is connected to an excitation converter and a DC port of the unit for coping with system faults is connected to a DC port of a converter through resistors. A plurality of energy consumptive circuits each constructed of a resistor and switching units are provided for the DC port of the unit for coping with system faults.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Ichinose, Motoo Futami, Hiromitsu Sakai
  • Patent number: 7692326
    Abstract: There is provided a hybrid turbocharger that allows easy and quick attachment/removal of a coupling attachment boss to which an end section of a coupling is attached, thereby reducing the amount of operation time required for an overhaul of the turbocharger. The hybrid turbocharger includes: a turbine section that is driven by exhaust gas introduced from an internal combustion engine; a compressor section that is driven by the turbine section to pressure-feed outside air into the internal combustion engine; and a power generator having a rotating shaft coupled to a rotating shaft of the turbine section and the compressor section via a coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Ono, Keiichi Shiraishi, Yoshitsugu Aono
  • Patent number: 7692327
    Abstract: During operation of a power generating plant, which essentially comprises a gas turbogroup, a compressed air accumulator, an air turbine which is equipped with at least one generator, the compressed air which is extracted from the compressed air accumulator is directed through a heat exchanger, which acts on the outflow side of the gas turbogroup, and is thermally conditioned there. This compressed air then charges the air turbine, wherein during a “black out” or other shutdown of the power generating plant, the electric current energy which can be obtained by means of the thermally conditioned compressed air in the air turbine, via a power line is used directly for start-up of the gas turbogroup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventor: Rolf Althaus
  • Patent number: 7692328
    Abstract: The present invention provides a power unit of an underwater vehicle, which allows reduction in size and weight of a transformer for stepping down a power voltage of a power supply to increase a loading amount of a variety of devices with respect to the underwater vehicle, so as to obtain a favorable operating environment. The power unit is connected to the power supply through a cable and receives power through the cable. Further, the power unit comprises an electronic transformer having: a rectifier for rectifying a high-voltage alternate current power of the power supply into a direct current; a high-frequency converter for converting an output of the rectifier into a high-frequency alternate current; a transformer for stepping down an output voltage of the high-frequency converter; a rectifier for rectifying an output of the transformer into a direct current; and a control circuit for controlling the high-frequency converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yoshida, Taro Aoki, Fumihiko Endo, Takayoshi Watanabe, Katsuki Fujimoto, Osamu Numamoto
  • Patent number: 7692329
    Abstract: Current sharing scheme based on input power and/or the power efficiency for a power stage with multiple phases and/or paralleled modules is described. According to the scheme, duty cycles of different phases/modules may be adaptively adjusted until the minimum input power and/or the maximum power efficiency is achieved. For certain input voltages, the minimum input power exists at the minimum total input current. Thus, input power and/or the input current may be used as an indicator of the maximized power efficiency of the power stage and hence be used to track the optimal current sharing ratio among the multiple phases/modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Jaber Abu Qahouq, Lilly Huang
  • Patent number: 7692330
    Abstract: Electronic equipment is provided in which a bi-directional voltage converter is connected between a fuel cell and a secondary battery, and a load apparatus is connected in parallel to the fuel cell. Further, if a plurality of voltage converters are provided, when each output voltage is closer to an output voltage of the secondary battery than an output voltage of the fuel cell, they are classified into a first voltage-converter group, while being closer to the output voltage of the fuel cell than the output voltage of the secondary battery, they are sorted out as a second voltage-converter group. Then, the secondary battery is connected in parallel to the first voltage-converter group and the fuel cell is connected in parallel to the second voltage-converter group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Takada, Toshihiko Ichinose, Takeshi Shimamoto, Junko Shimamoto, legal representative
  • Patent number: 7692331
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical emergency source device fitted on an aircraft, which comprises an energy source capable of outputting the power necessary for vital electrical loads (10) to operate correctly, wherein there are two types of these loads: first loads, that absorb a constant power with time, second loads, that absorb variable power with time. Wherein this device comprises: a power source (12) sized to output the average power absorbed by all loads, a power source (15) capable of supplying power peaks absorbed by the second loads, and wherein, since the power of several loads is reversible, the power of the said device is also reversible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignees: Airbus France, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut Nartional Polytechnique de Toulouse
    Inventors: Olivier Langlois, Xavier Roboam, Hubert Piquet
  • Patent number: 7692332
    Abstract: A system for use with an electrical distribution panel having a bonded neutral connection. In some embodiments, the system includes a generator having a first bonded neutral connection and a ground fault circuit interrupter. The system also includes a neutral bus that is connected to either the bonded neutral connection of the distribution panel or the bonded neutral connection of the generator. Additionally, the system includes a switch for disconnecting the neutral bus from the bonded neutral connection of the distribution panel and connecting the neutral bus to the bonded neutral connection of the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Briggs and Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Russell C. Nordman, Kenny J. Stair, Brandon Michael Batzler
  • Patent number: 7692333
    Abstract: An adjustable speed drive system for a primary loop recirculation pump and method of control in which a first breaker is connected to an auxiliary power supply system, an inverter is connected to the first breaker, a second breaker is connected to an output of the inverter, a gate driver supplies a gate pulse to the inverter, and an inverter control portion drives the gate driver. The adjustable speed drive system is combined with a backup adjustable speed drive system. When a malfunction in a main adjustable speed drive circuit portion including the inverter and the gate driver in the adjustable speed drive system used in a normal operation is detected, the main adjustable speed drive circuit portion is switched to the backup adjustable speed drive system, and an operation of a recirculation pump motor for driving a recirculation pump that controls a flow of a reactor core is continued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Katayama, Masashi Sugiyama, Shunya Morita, Hirohisa Satomi
  • Patent number: 7692334
    Abstract: A photovoltaic system includes a solar module having at least one solar cell. In order to reduce the power loss of the solar module when a solar module is in shade or is defective, a semiconductor switching element is connected in parallel with the solar module and drive electronics block the semiconductor switching element when the solar module is generating power and otherwise switch the semiconductor switching element to low impedance in order to bridge the solar module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Diehl AKO Stiftung & Co. KG
    Inventors: Claus Köhler, Roland Morent
  • Patent number: 7692335
    Abstract: An apparatus performs mechanical phase synchronization of multiple AC generators in an electrical power distribution system. The apparatus according to one embodiment comprises a gearbox mechanically coupled to a prime mover, multiple AC generators, each having a rotor driven by mechanical energy from the prime mover supplied via the gearbox to generate AC electrical power, and a mechanical linkage keying orientation of each rotor to the gearbox, thereby mechanically synchronizing phase of the multiple AC generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Rodney G. Michalko
  • Patent number: 7692336
    Abstract: According to the invention, a controlled or synchronous switching of an electrical power breaker (1) can be guaranteed by means of predicting a future voltage and/or current curve from actual voltage and/or current data in an electrical energy network (5). The prediction of the future voltage and/or current curve is carried out using the voltage and/or current data determined in the electrical network (5) at different timepoints by application of a Prony method to the available voltage and/or current data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Georg Pilz, Peter Schegner
  • Patent number: 7692337
    Abstract: This invention relates to a switching circuit, such as a bridge circuit, comprising first and second switches operable to produce an electrical signal at the output of the switching circuit at certain voltages. Moreover, this invention also relates to a method of operating such a switching circuit. The switching circuit comprises an input operable to receive a DC signal of +Vs, an output, first and second switches operable in response to first and second switching signals to be switched between on and off states such that switching between various combinations of on and off states produces an electrical signal at the output with voltage pulses at levels of +Vs, 0V and ?VS and a voltage sensor for producing a signal indicative of a voltage offset in the switching circuit. Voltage effects in the switching circuit can be compensated for by using the signal produced by the voltage sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Bae Systems PLC
    Inventor: Andrew M G Westcott
  • Patent number: 7692338
    Abstract: A power transmission cable with easy laying, reduced heat invasion and enhanced efficiency. The cable comprises an inner pipe 105 encasing a refrigerant passage 101, a superconducting member 102 and an electrically insulating portion 103; an outer pipe 106; a vacuum adiabatic insulating section 104 between the inner and outer pipes; an inner pipe support ring disposed between the inner and outer pipes so that it is slidable along the outer side of the inner pipe; an outer pipe support ring fixed to the inner side of the outer pipe; and a support member which is disposed between the inner and outer pipe support rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Y.Y.L.
    Inventor: Sataro Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7692339
    Abstract: To provide a less expensive and high-efficient free-piston Stirling cycle machine with an outer diameter of entire machine being relatively small. In a Stirling cycle cooler as a free-piston Stirling cycle machine including a cylinder 7, a piston 18 which is reciprocable inside said cylinder 7 and an electromagnetic driving mechanism 19 for reciprocating said piston 18, said electromagnetic driving mechanism 19 is comprised of a mover 20 and a stator 35, said piston 18 and said mover 20 formed by disposing a permanent magnets 24 outside an inner yoke 23 made of magnetic flux conducting material are disposed in an axial alignment, and said stator 35 and said cylinder 7 are disposed in an axial alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignees: Global Cooling BV, Twinbird Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Berchowitz, Mamoru Saito
  • Patent number: 7692340
    Abstract: A vibrational energy harvesting apparatus comprising: a substrate having a plurality of integral compliant regions; at least two ferromagnetic masses each coupled to a corresponding one or more of the integral compliant regions such that at least one of the ferromagnetic masses moves with respect to the substrate responsive to substrate acceleration, each ferromagnetic mass having an inner magnetic pole disposed such that the inner magnetic poles are separated by a gap, wherein the magnetic polarities of the inner magnetic poles on the opposing sides of the gap are similar; wherein the inner magnetic poles form a steep flux gradient region in and around the gap; and a coil coupled to the substrate and disposed within the steep flux gradient region where it is exposed to a changing magnetic flux arising from motion of at least one of the ferromagnetic masses with respect to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Richard L. Waters, Patrick M. Sullivan, Barry R. Hunt
  • Patent number: 7692341
    Abstract: A compact, high power, power conversion apparatus including a rotor and a stator. The rotor includes a cylindrical casing, and a predetermined number of permanent magnets disposed on the casing, and is adapted for rotation about the axis of the casing. The stator includes a core and a plurality of sets of conductive windings, each set including a predetermined number of individual conductive windings and associated with an electrical phase. A respective collecting conductor is associated with each set of conductive windings, with each individual conductive winding of the set being electrically connected to the associated collecting conductor. The respective collecting conductors are disposed in a coolant flow path a coolant flow path directing coolant into contact with the stator windings, electrically isolated from each other and spaced apart from each other and from the windings. Collecting conductors in the form of continuous rings and in the form of a plurality of arcs are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Magnetic Applications, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Y. Lafontaine, Harold C. Scott
  • Patent number: 7692342
    Abstract: Objects of the present invention is to provide an outer rotor of a motor for a direct drive drum type washing machine, in which a structure of the outer rotor is improved, to resolve throbbing of the outer rotor at the time of high speed rotation, and consequential noise, and to provide a variety of products. For this, the outer rotor having a rotor frame with a bottom, a side wall extended from a circumference of the bottom substantially perpendicular to the bottom, and magnets mounted on an inside of the side wall, wherein the bottom of the rotor frame is elevated in a direction of extension of the side wall on the whole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Byung Hwan Ahn
  • Patent number: 7692343
    Abstract: A motor assembly in which magnetic attraction between the magnets and the base of the motor is reduced by providing increased magnetic reluctance. This is achieved without the need to increase the overall height of the motor assembly, thus making the motor assembly particularly suitable for use in applications with tight space constraints and power consumption limitations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Mo Xu, Pohlye Lim
  • Patent number: 7692344
    Abstract: In a motor having a pawl-shaped magnetic pole, if a coil is wound like a ring shape so as to be formed, one leader line can be generally drawn out to an external portion from a position close to an outer periphery of a stator, however, the other leader line is drawn out to the external portion from an inner periphery of the stator. Accordingly, the leader line occupies a part of the inner space formed by the stator core, so that there is generated a problem that a space factor of the coil is reduced. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to improve the space factor of the coil. In order to achieve the object mentioned above, a space passing wirings of a plurality of coils therethrough is provided in a part of the pawl-shaped magnetic pole of the stator core of the stator having the pawl-shaped magnetic pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoso Masaki, Kazuhide Ebine, Yuji Enomoto, Motoya Ito
  • Patent number: 7692345
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vibration generating device used for mobile telephone, etc., which comprises a rotor (110), and a stator (120) for rotatably supporting the rotor, and serving to rotate the rotor to thereby generate vibration. The rotor comprises a bearing sleeve (160) consisting of resin molded material and rotatably attached to a fixed shaft (124) provided at the stator, a magnet (170) and a weight (180) positioned in eccentric state with respect to the bearing sleeve, wherein the bearing sleeve and the magnet are formed in the state where they are integrated by material resin of the bearing sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Omron Corporation
    Inventors: Shun Kayama, Yukiko Shimizu, Toshinori Yamasue, Hiroshi Azuma, Hirokazu Kitamura
  • Patent number: 7692346
    Abstract: A compact enclosed type vibrator capable of ensuring a large amount of vibration has a casing (5), a coil (10) and a magnetic circuit unit (11) provided in the casing, and a suspension (3) supporting the magnetic circuit unit. The magnetic circuit unit has an extent in the radial direction and has an outer peripheral surface set adjacent to the inner peripheral surface of the casing across an annular gap. At least one of the casing and the magnetic circuit unit is provided with a vent passage (13a and 13b) that additionally communicates between a first space (17) and a second space (18) formed at the upper and lower sides of the magnetic circuit unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Citizen Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Kobayashi, Hiroo Kajiwara
  • Patent number: 7692347
    Abstract: The invention provides damping techniques for a rotating shaft. The rotating shaft is supported by rotary bearings. The damping techniques control vibration of the rotating shaft by creating a fluid film in a support element of the rotating shaft. For example, the fluid film may be created between a housing and the rotary bearings. The fluid may be supplied by a pump, and the supply amount of fluid to create the fluid film is relative to the rotational velocity of the shaft. Vibration can be prevented for every operational rotational velocity of the rotating shaft. In some embodiments, the rotating shaft may be powered by or part of an electric motor for a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Nakajima
  • Patent number: 7692348
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an arrangement for fastening permanent magnets to rapidly rotating rotors of electric machines. It is the object of the invention to find a novel possibility for fastening permanent magnets to the rotor of rapidly rotating electric machines which allows the magnets to be fixed so as to be secure against centrifugal forces for high rotating speeds and under confined spatial conditions without a frictionally engaging connection of magnet holders to the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: ESW GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Gruenhagen
  • Patent number: 7692349
    Abstract: A direct drive motor for a washing machine and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The motor may include a stator having a winding part with a coil wound thereon, a rotor frame including a side wall part and a rear wall part, the rotor frame being connected to a shaft that drives a drum of a washing machine, and a permanent magnet provided at an inner surface of the side wall part of the rotor frame. The permanent magnet may be formed of a resin material, with a plurality of magnetic poles that alternate in a circumferential direction to form a sine wave magnetization pattern. Such a direct drive motor may reduce cogging torque, noise and vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: In Geun Ahn
  • Patent number: 7692350
    Abstract: A horizontal axis washing machine includes a clothing receptacle rotated by a 4 pole rotor. A 36 slot stator having an interior bore with an interior diameter receives the 4 pole rotor in magnetic coupling relation and capable of operating within a flux weakening range of at least 5:1. The stator has a ratio of an interior diameter to a minimum exterior diameter greater than or equal to 0.63:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Keith I. Hoemann, Gary E. Horst
  • Patent number: 7692351
    Abstract: A stator winding has series coils and the series coils are connected in parallel. One of the series coil includes series-connected U phase coils and the other series coil includes series-connected U phase coils. A part of a wire connecting U phase coils of that one series coil is wound around the same teeth as those around which one of the U phase coils of the other series coil is wound, so as to form a U phase coil. A part of a wire connecting U phase coils of the other series coil is wound around the same teeth as those around which one of the phase coils of that one series coil is wound, so as to form a U phase coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Hattori
  • Patent number: 7692352
    Abstract: A laminated core for a motor includes a plurality of laminations each of which are disposed in a non-spaced relation to an adjacent lamination and each of which have a disc-like configuration and wherein the plurality of laminations are each dimensioned and configured to provide for a flow of a cooling fluid traveling in a radial direction to a rotational axis of the motor. A method of cooling a motor is also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert David Sirois
  • Patent number: 7692353
    Abstract: The invention relates to a permanent-magnet two-phase synchronous electric motor (1) with mechanical start-up for washing machines and similar, in particular for washing pumps (2), of the type centrally comprising a permanent magnet axial rotor (4) and a stator (5) with a lamination pack core (16) and a double pair of pole pieces (20) with ends enveloping said rotor (4) and with relative windings (L1, L2), wherein the first pair of pole pieces is asymmetrical compared to the second pair of pole pieces. Moreover, said motor is further distinguished for the structure of the stator, which comprises the following characteristics: the ends of the pole pieces (20) are structurally independent and are removably coupled to the lamination pack core; and the lamination pack core has a shorter axial length than the ends of the pole pieces (20). Advantageously, the pole pieces of the stator (5) are obtained by pressing of magnetic powders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Askoll Holding S.r.l.
    Inventor: Elio Marioni
  • Patent number: 7692354
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotary electric machine comprising: a concentrated winding stator having teeth and coils placed on the teeth, the teeth having end faces that are convex towards the rotor; and a rotor comprising an armature defining a cylindrical surface and permanent magnets, the permanent magnets having inside faces that are cylinder portions matching the shape of the cylindrical surface of the armature, and outside faces that are plane and that face towards the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Moteurs Leroy-Somer
    Inventors: Atef Abou-Akar, Eric Coupart
  • Patent number: 7692355
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric motor having a permanent magnetic rotor supported in a rotatable fashion around a central axis, a wound stator with a cylindrical stator winding, claw poles, perpendicular in reference to the disc-shaped stator plates and arranged around the central axis, and a tubular return ring connected to the stator plates free from play. The object of the invention is to provide an electric motor, in which the stator is composed from as few parts as possible, with its assembly being simple, its construction being robust, and being provided with an optimum effectiveness, allowing a great freedom of design and space used and thus an economical structure. This object is attained according to the invention in the disc-shaped stator plates being in one piece with the claw poles and being calked to the return ring with the disc-shaped stator plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Buehler Motor GmbH
    Inventors: Olai Ihle, Thomas Peterreins, Christian Zimmerer, Paul Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 7692356
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric machine (1) comprising a stator (21) and a rotor. The stator (21) includes at least one winding system having a plurality of coils (2) wherein start and end of the corresponding coils (21) is fixed on an end face of the stator (21) by means of a circuit support (7) and contacted in such a manner as to obtain predeterminable connections of the coils (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Erich Bott, Michael Bzdziuch, Hubertus Bähr, Rainer Eckert, Axel Knauff, Jürgen Pawellek, Reiner Seufert, Uwe Zimmermann, Michael Zisler
  • Patent number: 7692357
    Abstract: An electrical machine includes a rotor with an inner rotor portion and an outer rotor portion, and a double-sided yokeless stator. The yokeless stator includes modular lamination stacks and is configured for radial magnetic flux flow. The double-sided yokeless stator is concentrically disposed between the inner rotor portion and the outer rotor portion of the electrical machine. Examples of particularly useful embodiments for the electrical machine include wind turbine generators, ship propulsion motors, switch reluctance machines and double-sided synchronous machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronghai Qu, Patrick Lee Jansen, Bharat Sampathkumar Bagepalli, Ralph James Carl, Jr., Aniruddha Dattatraya Gadre, Fulton Jose Lopez
  • Patent number: 7692358
    Abstract: A micro mechanical backscatter sensor includes a receiver for receiving a modulated electromagnetic signal, a capacitive element operatively connected to the receiver, the capacitive element being arranged such that a voltage is generated across the capacitor in response to the frequency of the received signal, and a resonator operatively connected to the capacitive element such that electrostatic forces that are induced by the voltage generated cause the resonator to vibrate at a resonance frequency, the resonator being arranged such that an applied external force alters the resonance frequency of vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Sensonor AS
    Inventors: Terje Kvisteroy, Reidar Holm, Sverre Horntvedt
  • Patent number: 7692359
    Abstract: A driving apparatus comprises: an electromechanical conversion element that expands and contracts in an extending direction of a given fiducial line; a driving shaft that is fixed to one end of the electromechanical conversion element in the extending direction; a driven body that is frictionally engaged with the driving shaft; a holder that holds, through an adhesive, the electromechanical conversion element from lateral sides with respect to the extending direction; and a flange member that is provided on the driving shaft between (i) a moving region of the driven body on the driving shaft and (ii) the electromechanical conversion element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventor: Ryota Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7692360
    Abstract: Apparatus for ultrasonic vibration-assisted machining, the apparatus comprising an ultrasonic transducer for generating ultrasonic waves in a vibration horn; first clamp on the vibration horn at a static node of the ultrasonic waves; and a second clamp between the first clamp and a lowermost end of the vibration horn. The second clamp comprises a linear bearing for reducing vibration of the vibration horn in a direction laterally of the vibration horn, and allowing vibration of the vibration horn in the direction of a longitudinal axial of the vibration horn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Agency for Science, Technology and Research
    Inventors: Xiang Dong Liu, Xin Ding
  • Patent number: 7692361
    Abstract: A material for an actuator is provided which is reduced in weight, can be micro-miniaturized and can be used stably in a gas phase such as in atmospheric air safely, and an actuator using the material is provided. The material used for the actuator comprises a material formed by mixing fine conductive particles with a polymer material having a large absolute value of thermal expansion coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Midori Kato, Masayoshi Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 7692362
    Abstract: An actuating device is provided, which includes a deformable membrane, walls formed on the membrane to define cavities, rods formed within the cavities, and on the surface of the membrane on one side with reference to a cavity center, to move in association with the deformation of the membrane, and an actuating unit formed on a lower side of the membrane to be piezoelectrically driven to deform the membrane. The actuating device is applicable to miniaturized electronic devices and can actuate the function modules appropriately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hwa-sun Lee, Sung-hee Lee, Seung-mo Lim, Hee-moon Jeong
  • Patent number: 7692363
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical transducer, which provides dipole motion from its housing which is driven by a bender transducer attached to the housing at the outer edge and attached to an inertial mass at its center providing a lower resonance frequency, lower mechanical Q and enhanced motion and acoustical source level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Image Acoustics, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander L. Butler, John L. Butler
  • Patent number: 7692364
    Abstract: An electronic radial ultrasonic probe comprising an electronic radial array which comprises a plurality of ultrasonic transducers being continuously arrayed circularly around an insertion axis as center and also for which a transmission/reception of an ultrasonic wave is controlled by electronically selecting the plurality of ultrasonic transducer, comprises: a support member equipped on the electronic radial array; a lock member featured with a cavity in which the support member is inserted and with a lock groove for locking a balloon which is mounted in a manner to cover the electronic radial array and in which an ultrasonic medium is filled; and a filler member which is constituted by an adhesive material converting from a fluid state to a solid state, and is filled in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignees: Olympus Medical Systems Corporation, Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiko Sawada, Akiko Mizunuma, Katsuhiro Wakabayashi, Takuya Imahashi, Sunao Sato
  • Patent number: 7692365
    Abstract: One aspect of the present patent application is an energy harvesting device comprising a composite structure including a base spring and a piezoelectric structure. The base spring has a base spring surface having elevated portions separated by a recessed portion. The piezoelectric structure substantially crosses the recessed portion. In one aspect the piezoelectric structure includes a piezoelectric element that is bonded to the elevated portions. In another aspect, the base spring has a base spring stiffness. The piezoelectric element has a piezoelectric element stiffness. The base spring stiffness is less than the piezoelectric element stiffness. In another aspect, the composite structure has a natural frequency of vibration, and this natural frequency of vibration of the composite structure is automatically adjustable. In another aspect, the piezoelectric elements are stacked. In another aspect, the piezoelectric structure is located in the recessed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Microstrain, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Churchill, Steven W. Arms
  • Patent number: 7692366
    Abstract: The present subject matter discloses apparatus and methodologies for fabricating apparatus for harvesting power from environmentally induced vibrations. Piezoelectric devices and structures (1600) are disclosed that employ constant force spring or flexure arrangements (1512) in balanced opposition configurations (1510, 1534) to enhance the power harvesting capabilities of the piezoelectric devices (1600). Power harvesting devices and systems in accordance with the subject technology may concurrently operate as sensors in motion sensitive applications thus providing self-powered monitoring capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche Et Technique S.A.
    Inventor: Jack Thiesen
  • Patent number: 7692367
    Abstract: A piezoelectric device is attached to an inner bottom surface of the outer case having a tubular shape including a bottom, and an inner case is disposed within the outer case. In an ultrasonic vibration acting surface of the inner case that is arranged to face the bottom surface of the outer case, a mass of the inner case is arranged to restrain vibration of the outer case, which is generated by the piezoelectric device. A first cutout is provided in a portion of the ultrasonic vibration acting surface and arranged to face the piezoelectric device so as to flatten an ultrasonic beam generated by vibrations of the piezoelectric device and the outer case. Second cutouts are provided at locations on the ultrasonic vibration acting surface spaced away from the first cutout in a line symmetrical relationship with a long axis of the first cutout defining a symmetrical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hirano, Takaaki Asada, Mio Furuya, Junichi Nishie
  • Patent number: 7692368
    Abstract: A multilayer component includes a ceramic base body and at least one internal electrode in the ceramic base body. The at least one internal electrode includes holes, and is made of a material having a liquidus temperature that differs from a sintering temperature of the ceramic base body. The ceramic base body is sinterable such that formation of holes in the at least one internal electrode occurs during sintering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: EPCOS AG
    Inventors: Heinz Florian, Sigrid Ragossnig, Steffen Riemer, Peter Sedlmaier
  • Patent number: 7692369
    Abstract: Discoloration and deformation of a resin case triggered by heat generation from a failed circuit component at the end of the life of an arc tube are prevented without increasing the cost and size. A lighting unit that lights a light source with an inverter while receiving electric power from an AC power supply, and that contains a lighting circuit that includes a plurality of circuit components inclusive of capacitors. Among the capacitors, all capacitors with an applied voltage of 50V or greater (C4, C5, C6, C7, C8, CD1 and CD2) are foil type film capacitors with exceptions of smoothing electrolytic capacitors (CD1 and CD2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Etsuji Morimoto, Kazuhiko Itou, Shougo Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7692370
    Abstract: A front substrate includes a phosphor screen including a plurality of phosphor layers arranged at a specific pitch in a first direction and at another specific pitch in a second direction intersecting at right angles to the first direction and including a light-shielding layer, divided metal-back layers laid on the phosphor screen and divided, in the first and second directions, divided getter films laid on the metal-back layer and divided, in the first and second directions, and a thin-film dividing layer formed on divided portions of at least one of the divided metal-back layers and the divided getter-films. Spacers are provided between the front substrate and a rear substrate and oppose to the thin-film dividing layer. Spacer-abutting layers are discretely arranged near the thin-film-dividing layer, at positions where the spacer-abutting layers abut the spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirotaka Murata, Nobuo Kawamura
  • Patent number: 7692371
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrode for a source of field emitting electrons and a lighting panel and a lighting apparatus thereof. A plurality of conductive emitters made from a combination of an electrical emitting source material and an electrical conductive material is formed on a cathode plate. Therefore, the conductive emitter can be a cathode, a gate and a field emitting electric source as well to simplify the structure and the process, and improve the brightness and uniformity thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Tatung Company
    Inventors: Li-Yung Lu, Zhi-Ming Hong, Tzung-Han Yang