Patents Issued in December 31, 2013
  • Patent number: 8618690
    Abstract: A wind power hybrid rotor of a wind power plant for converting wind energy into drive energy is provided. For a utilization of the wind energy in a manner as efficient as possible, a wind power hybrid rotor is provided with a cross-flow rotor, a guide device and a Magnus rotor. The cross-flow rotor is supported so as to be rotatable about a rotational axis and has a plurality of axially extending rotor blades. The guide device has a housing segment partially enclosing the cross-flow rotor in the circumferential direction in such a manner that the cross-flow rotor can be driven by inflowing wind. The Magnus rotor axis is arranged within the cross-flow rotor, and the Magnus rotor axis extends in the direction of the rotational axis. The Magnus rotor has a closed lateral surface and is rotatably driven about the Magnus rotor axis by a drive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: EADS Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Jost Seifert
  • Patent number: 8618691
    Abstract: A landscape electrical component connector system is provided which is based on a low-voltage electrical circuit with underground wire cable lines and interchangeable, below ground waterproof connectors which interconnect outdoor electrically positioned above ground lighting, audio, and cooling components. These components, which are hard-wired with waterproof connectors, provide versatility in their ability to be easily and simply added and removed from the system manually, without the use of tools, as desired by the owner. The waterproof connectors are quick connect elements which allow for fast and clean interchange of the various components and circuit splitters and extensions, both during initial installation of the system and after it has been installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Coastal Source, LLC
    Inventors: Franco Christopher D'Ascanio, Franco Luigi D'Ascanio
  • Patent number: 8618692
    Abstract: A distributed power system including multiple (DC) batteries each DC battery with positive and negative poles. Multiple power converters are coupled respectively to the DC batteries. Each power converter includes a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal and a fourth terminal. The first terminal is adapted for coupling to the positive pole. The second terminal is adapted for coupling to the negative pole. The power converter includes: (i) a control loop adapted for setting the voltage between or current through the first and second terminals, and (ii) a power conversion portion adapted to selectively either: convert power from said first and second terminals to said third and fourth terminals to discharge the battery connected thereto, or to convert power from the third and fourth terminals to the first and second terminals to charge the battery connected thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: SolarEdge Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Meir Adest, Lior Handelsman, Yoav Galin, Amir Fishelov, Guy Sella, Yaron Binder
  • Patent number: 8618693
    Abstract: In a solar panel array that includes a string of series-connected panels, the load current flowing through the string is measured. The peak current (Ipp) of a panel in the string is determined. A current equal to the difference of the load current and the peak current (Ipp) is generated in a current source connected across the output terminals of the panel. The panel is thereby operated at its maximum power point (MPP). To determine the peak current (Ipp) of the panel, the magnitude of current flowing through the panel is iteratively changed and the corresponding power generated by the panel is computed. The change in the current through the panel and the measurement of the corresponding power are repeated until a maximum power is determined as being generated by the panel. The maximum power corresponds to the maximum power point (MPP) and the peak current (Ipp) of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Innorel Systems Private Limited
    Inventors: Prakash Easwaran, Saumitra Singh, Rupak Ghayal, Amit Premy
  • Patent number: 8618694
    Abstract: System, method, and computer program product for dampening oscillations of the electrical power on a power grid. The system includes a wind park with multiple wind turbines. Each wind turbine includes a rotor, a generator operatively coupled with the rotor for generating electrical power, and an inverter coupling the generator with the power grid to output the electrical power to the power grid. A controller is configured to generate a first control signal to cause the inverter of the first wind turbine to modulate the electrical power output by the first wind turbine for dampening oscillations of one frequency in electrical power on the power grid and to generate a second control signal to cause the inverter of the second wind turbine to modulate the electrical power output by the second wind turbine for dampening oscillations of a different frequency in the electrical power on the power grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Juan Santiago Santos, Brett D. Rollow, Jason Hoffman
  • Patent number: 8618695
    Abstract: An electrical appliance comprising a connection to a power source and a principle electrical load, wherein the appliance additionally comprises at least one inductive power outlet, the inductive power outlet comprising: at least one driver, connectable to the power source, the driver for providing an oscillating voltage supply; and at least one primary inductive coil connected to the driver, the primary inductive coil for inductively coupling with an external secondary inductive coil wired to a second electrical load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Powermat Technologies, Ltd
    Inventors: Yossi Azancot, Amir Ben-Shalom, Oola Greenwald, Arik Rofe, Ariel Katz
  • Patent number: 8618696
    Abstract: A wireless power supply includes a source magnetic resonator, connected to a power source and configured to exchange power wirelessly via a wireless power transfer signal with at least one device magnetic resonator integrated into at least one peripheral component of a computer and a processor configured to adjust the operating point of the wireless power supply wherein power is transferred non-radiatively from the wireless power supply to the at least one device magnetic resonator and wherein the power supply forms a part of the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: WiTricity Corporation
    Inventors: Andre B. Kurs, Aristeidis Karalis, Morris P. Kesler, Andrew J. Campanella, Katherine L. Hall, Konrad J. Kulikowski, Qiang Li, Marin Soljacic
  • Patent number: 8618697
    Abstract: A wireless power system includes a wireless power transmit and receive units. The wireless power transmit unit includes a wireless power transmit circuit that generates a wireless power magnetic field and a transmit unit transceiver that transceives a communication regarding the wireless power magnetic field in accordance with a control channel protocol. The wireless power receive unit includes a wireless power receive circuit, a transceiver, and a processing module. The wireless power receive circuit converts the wireless power magnetic field into a voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Jeyhan Karaoguz, John Walley, Ahmadreza Rofougaran, Nambirajan Seshadri, Reinier Hendricus Maria Van Der Lee
  • Patent number: 8618698
    Abstract: A modular multilevel converter system. The system includes a plurality of series connected two-terminal M2LC subsystems and a control system module. The two-terminal M2LC subsystems are arranged into at least two output phase modules. A first one of the output phase modules defines a total value of inductance and includes a positive arm and a negative arm. The control system module is configured to apply selectively reassigned modulated switch functions to only one of the following at a given instance of time: the two-terminal M2LC subsystems of the positive arm of the first one of the output phase modules or the two-terminal M2LC subsystems of the negative arm of the first one of the output phase modules. The selective reassigning of the modulated switch functions forces charge balance of the individual capacitors of the series connected two-terminal M2LC subsystems at a predetermined rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Curtiss-Wright Electro-Mechanical Corporation
    Inventors: Marc Francis Aiello, Dustin Matthew Kramer, Kenneth Stephen Berton
  • Patent number: 8618699
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information processing terminal includes a power supply for supplying electric power, an inlet connected to a power cord for supplying electric power to the power supply, an electronic board on which an arithmetic unit is mounted, and a body cover which covers a body including at least the power supply and the electronic board. The information processing terminal further includes a covering member disposed in the body or the body cover, the covering member being displaced to expose one of the inlet and at least one locking member, which should be removed to take the body cover out of the body, while covering the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kiyotaka Nihashi
  • Patent number: 8618700
    Abstract: A head of an output shaft of a linear actuator is modified so as to absorb vibrations that may be transmitted between the output shaft and a moving object. A linear actuator has an output shaft with a leading end to which a head is fixed. The head has an O-ring that is fitted thereto, and a part of the O-ring outwardly projects from the head. The O-ring is made of rubber that is softer than the material of the head. The head is contained in a containing space in an attachment, and in this condition, the O-ring contacts an inner circumferential surface of the containing space by deforming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Muramatsu, Katsutoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8618701
    Abstract: Disclosed is an actuator that generates the reciprocating rotational motion of an electric toothbrush or similar without employing a drive transmission mechanism as a separate entity from a drive source. An actuator (100) includes a fixed body (110) comprising an outer yoke (140) having inner wall planes that respectively oppose the magnetic pole planes of unlike poles of a magnet (150) with a predetermined gap therebetween. A coil (122) is arranged to encircle the magnet (150) between the magnetic pole planes of the unlike poles of the magnet (150) and the inner wall planes of the outer yoke (140) that respectively oppose the magnetic pole planes of the unlike poles, and this coil (122) is movably supported as a movable body (120) by way of an elastic member (130) fastened to the fixed body (110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuki Takahashi, Shigenori Inamoto, Yasutaka Kitamura, Kensuke Yamada
  • Patent number: 8618702
    Abstract: A vibration energy generator includes a case, a coil, a permanent magnet, and a shield magnet. The case is elongated in one direction and is made from a nonmagnetic material. The coil surrounds around an outer surface of the case. The permanent magnet reciprocates inside the case along the one direction. The permanent magnet is magnetized with a polarity oriented in the one direction. The shield magnet is disposed in one end portion of the permanent magnet in the one direction. Each of a surface of the one end portion and a surface of the shield magnet facing the surface of the one end portion has the same magnetic polarity. The length of the shield magnet in the one direction is less than the length of the permanent magnet in the one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryuta Iijima
  • Patent number: 8618703
    Abstract: A motor-driven compressor includes a housing having at one end thereof an accommodation space, an electric motor, a motor driver circuit provided in the accommodation space and having a circuit board, a connector having a bus bar electrically connected to the circuit board, and a cylindrical portion located at the one end of the housing and extending toward the direction close to the electric motor. The housing has a mounting hole communicating with the accommodation space and the interior of the cylindrical portion. The bus bar has a bent shape having opposite ends extended toward the direction close to the electric motor. The connector is disposed in the mounting hole with one end of the bus bar inserted in the cylindrical portion and the other end of the bus bar inserted in the accommodation space. The mounting hole is closed up by a cover with a seal member provided therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Yusuke Kinoshita, Shingo Enami, Ken Suitou
  • Patent number: 8618704
    Abstract: An electric motor is disclosed and which includes a braking element which is biasingly urged into a braking relationship relative to the electric motor, when the electric motor is deenergized, but which is further moved out of braking engagement when the electric motor is energized. The invention finds particular usefulness when used on hand tools, such as angle grinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Metabowerke GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Hiller, Andreas Spielmann
  • Patent number: 8618705
    Abstract: An electromechanical device for driving and/or braking a shaft (1) includes an electric motor having a rotor (2) that is rotationally fixed to the shaft (1), and a stator (4) supported in a housing (3) around the shaft (1) with a rotational degree of freedom in the peripheral direction in the direction of brake actuation. The stator (4) is operatively connected to the brake pad (7) by a device (5) that converts rotational movement of the stator (4) into axial movement of at least one brake pad (7) that is supported in an axially movable fashion such that, when the electric motor is operated as a generator, the stator (4) is rotated relative to the housing (3) by torque arising between the rotor (2) and the stator (4), such that the brake pad (7) is pressed by the device (5) against the brake disc (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Daniel Wolf, Martin Munster
  • Patent number: 8618706
    Abstract: A motor includes a rotatable component rotatable relative to a stationary component, a fluid operable to flow between the rotatable and stationary component, and a capillary sealing component. The capillary sealing component provides a capillary seal and includes at least one tapered slot configured to pump the fluid between the rotatable and stationary components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Alan L. Grantz, Lynn B. Le, Klaus Kloeppel
  • Patent number: 8618707
    Abstract: A magnetic bearing with high-temperature superconductor elements which has a stator and a rotor, which is held such that it can rotate with respect to the stator and is mounted in an axially and radially self-regulating manner in the stator. A body of a Type-2 superconductor, in particular a high-temperature superconductor, is provided on the rotor. The stator has a coil of a superconducting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Sergej Schwarz
  • Patent number: 8618708
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a rotor shaft, at least one pole segment, at least one pole tip segment and at least one permanent magnet pair. The at least one pole segment is mechanically coupled to the rotor shaft. Each permanent magnet pair is disposed between the at least one pole segment and respective pole tip segment. The apparatus further includes at least one mechanical member that mechanically restrains the at least one pole tip segment to at least one of the rotor shaft or the at least one pole segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeremy Daniel Van Dam, James Pellegrino Alexander, Murtuza Yusuf Lokhandwalla
  • Patent number: 8618709
    Abstract: A rotary electric machine configured with a stator, rotor, and permanent magnets disposed in an inverted V-shape that becomes gradually narrower from a side of a center of rotation of the rotor. The rotor is provided with a plurality of support portions that extend radially about the center of rotation, and gap portions are respectively formed in correspondence with the plurality of support portions at positions spaced by a predetermined distance from an edge portion of the permanent magnets in a flowing direction of magnetic flux between the permanent magnets and the stator. The gap portions are formed to have such a length that causes magnetic saturation during generation of low torque in a low-current state and that causes no magnetic saturation during generation of maximum torque in a high-current state in which electricity at a high current is supplied to the stator coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignees: Aisin AW Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Inagaki, Ken Takeda, Shinichi Otake, Tsuyoshi Miyaji, Yuta Watanabe, Ryosuke Utaka, Shinya Sano, Takeshi Tomonaga
  • Patent number: 8618710
    Abstract: A wedge for a stator of a generator with preformed coil windings includes a retaining portion for retaining coil windings. The retaining portion covers at least part of two neighbouring stator slots. A mounting projection at a bottom surface of the retaining portion for mounting the wedge to a top surface of a stator tooth is located between the two neighbouring stator slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Mohammad Kimiabeigi
  • Patent number: 8618711
    Abstract: A three-phase DC motor includes a rotor 30 having poles 30a and a stator 28 having core units 32b arranged around the rotor 30. Three or more coils are wound around the core units 32b. An outer surface of the rotor 30 has alternating poles of N and S around the circumference of the rotor 30. The coils 35a, 35b, 35c, and 35d are placed only within a range defined by second virtual planes P2 specified respectively by rotating a first virtual plane P1 according to a predetermined angle in a rotor rotating direction and a direction opposite thereto. The first virtual plane P1 passes through the axial center of the rotor 30. The inner surface of the adjacent 3N (N=1, 2, 3, . . . ) number of core units 32b are delimited within a width of one pole on the outer surface of the rotor 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Nabtesco Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Shirai
  • Patent number: 8618712
    Abstract: Disclosed is a windshield wiper motor having a reduction mechanism unit and an electric motor. The electric motor of the windshield wiper motor includes a yoke formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape; permanent magnets arranged on an inner peripheral surface of the yoke; an armature including a rotary shaft journalled to the yoke, an armature core where a plurality of teeth are formed and fixed onto the rotary shaft, an armature coil wound around teeth of the armature core, a commutator having a plurality of segments and being fixed onto the rotary shaft, and a plurality of connecting wires connecting two segments arranged to face each other back to back around the rotary shaft, being surrounded by the permanent magnets and arranged within the yoke; and a first brush, a second brush, and a third brush coming into sliding contact with the segments of the commutator of the armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: MITSUBA Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuyuki Saito, Ryuichi Takakusagi, Toshiyuki Kimura, Yoshichika Kawashima, Kenji Sakata
  • Patent number: 8618713
    Abstract: A brush holder apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the brush holder apparatus includes: a first support member; a second support member affixed to the first support member; a brush retainment member affixed to the first support member and extending substantially parallel with the second support member; and a cam member operably connected to the second support member, the cam member configured to retain a brush against the brush retainment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael David Kuban, Paul August Quail, Albert Eugene Steinbach
  • Patent number: 8618714
    Abstract: A vehicular brushless AC generator includes: a bobbin disposed surrounding the axial end face of the thick ring portion of the yoke and the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion so that an exciting coil can be wound thereon; a plate extending radially outwardly from an end of the cylindrical portion, for joining the bobbin to the yoke; and a stator disposed outside the rotor retaining an air gap, in which magnetic flux produced by the exciting coil propagates; wherein the bobbin is provided with a thick portion for extending a creeping distance, formed along the outer circumferential edge of the bobbin joined to the yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Hideyuki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8618715
    Abstract: A driving method for driving an electrostatic actuator including a fixed electrode and a movable electrode opposing each other with a dielectric layer interposed therebetween, includes applying a first voltage, between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode, to bring the movable electrode into contact with the dielectric layer, and applying a second voltage, between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode, after application of the first voltage is stopped and before the movable electrode moves away from the dielectric layer. Here, the second voltage has a polarity opposite to a polarity of the first voltage and an absolute value smaller than an absolute value of the first voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Takeaki Shimanouchi, Masahiko Imai, Takashi Katsuki, Osamu Toyoda, Satoshi Ueda
  • Patent number: 8618716
    Abstract: A microstepper motor which comprises two electromechanical drive elements, especially piezoelectric bending actuators, having effective directions that are perpendicular to each other. These actuators act upon a drive ring to thereby rotate a shaft. The actuators are non-radially hinged to the drive ring via a torsion-proof, nested frame-type complex structure (drive module) including an interior drive ring, a frame and a U-shaped outer frame. The drive is compact and, the drive module is configured as a single injection-molded structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Heinrich-Jochen Blume, Bernhard Gottlieb, Andreas Kappel, Robert Wolfgang Kissel, Karl-Heinz Mittenbühler, Tim Schwebel, Carsten Wallenhauer
  • Patent number: 8618717
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for connection and/or reconnection of a computing device to a wireless network. Embodiments of the system and method may, when appropriate, inhibit use of stored IP addresses, for example by deleting or effectively deleting stored IP addresses. By deleting or effectively deleting stored IP addresses, the computing device is influenced to request, via an associated wireless communication device, a new valid IP address from an access point which in turn requests a valid IP address from the wireless service provider server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Sierra Wireless, Inc.
    Inventors: Iulian Mocanu, Mohsen Jalali, Adam Xue
  • Patent number: 8618718
    Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, a transducer is provided. The transducer includes a first electrode, a second electrode disposed over the first electrode such that the first electrode and the second electrode form respective capacitive electrodes of a capacitor, the second electrode comprising a core portion and a peripheral portion, a third electrode disposed relative to the second electrode such that the third electrode overlaps with the peripheral portion of the second electrode, and a piezoelectric element disposed between the peripheral portion of the second electrode and the third electrode, so as to tune a tensional force provided by the piezoelectric element onto the second electrode by varying a piezoelectric voltage applied between the second electrode and the third electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Agency for Science, Technology and Research
    Inventors: Jinli Qu, Ming Lin Julius Tsai, Bo Woon Jeffrey Soon
  • Patent number: 8618719
    Abstract: A power generation device that provides power to an auxiliary system on an airborne platform, includes a piezoelectric energy harvesting device and an energy storage unit, including a battery and a power conditioner. The device extracts energy generated by turbulent airflow around the platform and stores the energy to meet future power requirements. The piezoelectric energy harvesting device is located on a portion of an inner surface of an outward shell of the platform. The stand-alone power generation device is electrically connected to the auxiliary system. The stand-alone power generation device also includes a router that connects the power generation unit to the platform electrical distribution system. Excess power generated by the device may be delivered to the platform electrical distribution system for use by other platform systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Arvin Shmilovich, Michael A. Carralero
  • Patent number: 8618720
    Abstract: A piezoelectric assembly is described. In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a piezoelectric assembly comprising: an electrode assembly; a signal electrical connector electrically connected to the electrode assembly; a reference electrical connector electrically connected to the electrode assembly; and a spacer positioned about a perimeter of the electrode assembly and disposed between the signal electrical connector and the reference electrical connector such that no electrical communication is provided between the signal electrical connector and the reference electrical connector through the spacer; wherein a humidity barrier space is defined between the signal electrical connector, the reference electrical connector and the spacer, and wherein the electrode assembly is disposed in the humidity barrier space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Todd Robert Paleczny, Arnett Ryan Weber, Dietmar Frank Wennemer, Cameron Russell Steeves, Patrick Clement Strittmatter
  • Patent number: 8618721
    Abstract: To provide a piezoelectric device prevented from overflowing of sealing materials. The piezoelectric device (100) stores a piezoelectric vibrating piece (30) having a pair of excitation electrodes. The piezoelectric device comprises: a package lid (10), including a first bonding surface (M1) formed in periphery of the package lid in a circumferential pattern and a lid recess (10); a package base (30), including a second bonding surface (M2), a base recess surrounded by a second bonding surface that is higher than the second bonding surface, and a pair of seats that is protruding from the base recess, situated for mounting the piezoelectric piece; a piezoelectric piece mounted onto the pair of seats; and a non electric conductive sealing material (48) disposed peripherally in relative to the first bonding surface and the second bonding surface in a circumferential pattern, thus the adhesive bonding the first bonding surface and the second bonding surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoichi Ichikawa, Yoshiaki Amano, Kenji Kamezawa
  • Patent number: 8618722
    Abstract: In a piezoelectric resonator plate, a substrate having a main face formed in a rectangular shape is provided with a vibration portion and a joining portion that are integrated with each other, the vibration portion including a vibration region configured by forming a pair of excitation electrodes, and the joining portion having formed therein a pair of terminal electrodes that is joined to an external portion. The terminal electrodes in the pair each have a conductive bump formed therein and are electrically connected respectively to the excitation electrodes in the pair. Also, the substrate includes a post portion formed convexly at a position where the pair of terminal electrodes is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Daishinku Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kohda, Syunsuke Satoh, Hiroki Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 8618723
    Abstract: A luminaire according to embodiments includes a body portion, a light source provided at one end portion of the body portion and having a light-emitting element, a globe provided so as to cover the light source, and a thermal transfer portion thermally joined to at least either one of the globe or a thermal radiating surface of the body portion on the end portion side. Then, an end surface of the thermal transfer portion on the side of the globe is exposed from the globe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignees: Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation, Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Makoto Sakai, Takumi Suwa, Shinji Nakata, Michinobu Inoue, Izuru Komatsu, Daigo Suzuki, Kumiko Ioka, Kazuki Tateyama, Yasuhide Okada
  • Patent number: 8618724
    Abstract: To provide a reflective frame for a light-emitting element, which can be preferably used for a light-emitting device having a metal member on which a light-emitting element is mounted, whereby the light extraction efficiency, the reliability and the productivity, etc. can be improved. A reflective frame for a light-emitting element, which is made of a sintered body comprising a glass material and a ceramic powder; and the sintered body is one fired at at most 900° C. and has a porosity of at most 15% and an average reflectance at a wave length of from 400 to 700 nm being at least 86% when the thickness is 1 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Masamichi Tanida, Akihiro Hishinuma
  • Patent number: 8618725
    Abstract: A spark plug includes a ceramic insulator, a center electrode, a metallic shell, and a ground electrode. The center electrode has a shoulder portion at a forward end portion, which tapers forward with respect to the axial direction. A noble metal tip is joined to the forward end portion of the center electrode through a fusion zone. A spark discharge gap is formed between the noble metal tip and the ground electrode. The shortest distance between the fusion zone and a forward end surface of the noble metal tip is 0.8-1.2 mm. The outside diameter of the fusion zone as measured at a forward end of the fusion zone is smaller than that as measured at a rear end of the fusion zone. An acute angle ?1 formed by a straight line L1 and a straight line L2 satisfies the relational expression ?1?72°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Sumoyama, Tsutomu Shibata, Tomoo Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8618726
    Abstract: A field emission panel includes: a first glass plate which comprises a phosphor layer, a second glass plate which is disposed in parallel to the first glass plate and comprises a plurality of electron emission elements; and a sealing member which is interposed between the first and the second glass plates to seal a space between the first and the second glass plates, wherein a part of the sealing member is hidden inside the first and the second glass plates and the other part of the sealing member is exposed to outsides of the first and the second glass plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun-seung Cho, Jun-ho Sung, Sang-hyuck Ahn
  • Patent number: 8618727
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transparent organic light emitting diode (OLED) (1), comprising: a substrate material (2) with a top face (2a) and a bottom face (2b), whereas at least on the top face (2a) is arranged at least one OLED-layer system with a first electrode layer (3), a second electrode layer (4) and an organic light emitting layer system (5), arranged in between said first electrode layer (3) and said second electrode layer (4), whereas said OLED (1) is performed to emit light via the top face (2a) and via the bottom face (2b) and whereas the top face (2a) and the bottom face (2b) of said OLED (1) feature at least one bright lucent area (6) and at least one dark lucent area (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Claudia Michaela Goldmann
  • Patent number: 8618728
    Abstract: A light-emitting device includes an anode; a cathode; a first light-emitting unit provided between the anode and the cathode and having at least one light-emitting layer; a second light-emitting unit provided between the cathode and the first light-emitting unit and having at least one light-emitting layer; and a carrier generation layer provided between the first light-emitting unit and the second light-emitting unit, the carrier generation layer generating holes and electrons in response to application of a voltage between the anode and the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Mitsuya, Masahisa Otake
  • Patent number: 8618729
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment of the organic light-emitting diode (10), the latter comprises a first electrode (1), which is formed with a metal, and a second electrode (2). In addition, the organic light-emitting diode (10) contains an organic layer sequence (3) located between the first electrode (1) and the second electrode (2). Moreover, the organic light-emitting diode (10) comprises a radiation-transmissive index layer (4), which is located on an outer side (11) of the first electrode (1) remote from the organic layer sequence (3). The average refractive index of the index layer (4) is greater than or equal to the average refractive index of the organic layer sequence (3). At least some of the electromagnetic plasmon radiation (P) generated by the organic light-emitting diode (10) passes through the index layer (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbH
    Inventors: Joerg Frischeisen, Stefan Nowy, Wolfgang Bruetting
  • Patent number: 8618730
    Abstract: An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display includes: a substrate; an organic light emitting element on the substrate; a thin film encapsulation layer covering the organic light emitting element; and a viewing angle compensation layer on the thin film encapsulation layer, wherein the viewing angle compensation layer corresponding to a pixel of the organic light emitting element has a plurality of sub-viewing angle compensation members. Accordingly, in the organic light emitting diode (OLED) display according to an exemplary embodiment, the viewing angle compensation layer is disposed on the thin film encapsulation layer such that optical characteristic changes such as the luminance change and the color change according to the viewing angle may be minimized or reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hye-Jung Park, Soon-Ryong Park, Woo-Suk Jung, Sun-Hwa Kim
  • Patent number: 8618731
    Abstract: A light emitting assembly includes a backplane having a first surface area and an impermeable layer. At least first and second light emitting devices are received on the first surface of the backplane, each light emitting device having a surface area less than the first surface area and electrically connected to an associated external driver. The first and second light emitting devices are positioned on the backplane in contiguous relation without a hermetic edge seal therebetween to maximize the filling factor, and an encapsulating material is received over and seals the first and second light emitting devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andrew S. Albrecht, James Michael Kostka
  • Patent number: 8618732
    Abstract: In an EL element having an anode, an insulating film (bump) formed on the anode, and an EL film and a cathode formed on the insulating film, each of a bottom end portion and a top end portion of the insulating film is formed so as to have a curved surface. The taper angle of a central portion of the insulating film is set within the range from 35° to 70°, thereby preventing the gradient of the film forming surface on which the EL film and the cathode are to be formed from being abruptly changed. On the thus-formed film forming surface, the EL film and the cathode can be formed so as to be uniform in thickness, so that occurrence of discontinuity in each of EL film and the cathode is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Hideomi Suzawa, Ichiro Uehara
  • Patent number: 8618733
    Abstract: Electrode configurations for a plasma-shell gas discharge device having one or more substrates and a multiplicity of pixels or sub-pixels that are defined by a hollow plasma-shell having at least one flat side and filled with an ionizable gas. Two or more addressing electrodes are in electrical contact with each plasma-shell, at least one electrode being in contact with a flat side of the plasma-shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Imaging Systems Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Carol Ann Wedding, Daniel K. Wedding, Oliver M. Strbik, III
  • Patent number: 8618734
    Abstract: A high-pressure discharge lamp having an ignition aid is provided. The discharge lamp may include: a discharge vessel consisting of ceramic or quartz glass which is sealed at two ends and which is accommodated in an outer bulb which is likewise sealed at two ends, the discharge vessel having two ends in which electrodes are fastened, two power supply lines holding the discharge vessel in the outer bulb, a UV enhancer with a single electrode as ignition aid being accommodated in the outer bulb, wherein the UV enhancer is positioned in the vicinity of a second end of the discharge vessel, while a feed line is routed from the first power supply line along the discharge vessel and is connected to the UV enhancer, the feed line being capacitively coupled to the first power supply line, the UV enhancer being installed between the feed line and the second power supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: OSRAM AG
    Inventors: Johannes Buttstaedt, Stefan Lichtenberg
  • Patent number: 8618735
    Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) light engine is provided for use in a light fixture to enable improved and efficient dissipation of heat generated in the light fixture. The light engine includes a circuit board that includes multiple LEDs for emitting light. The light engine includes a chassis that has a plurality of upper fins that extend upward from a central flanged portion to dissipate heat generated by the LEDs into the lighting fixture. The circuit board is mounted to a mounting surface on the chassis that is surrounded by a fin wall that depends from the central flanged portion. The chassis also has a plurality of lower fins that extend outward from an outer surface of the fin wall to dissipate heat out of the fixture and into the ambient air environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventors: Barry Cason Coplin, John Robert Householder, Clifford Earl Wilson
  • Patent number: 8618736
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a class of mm and sub mm wavelength amplifiers and oscillators operating with miniature helical slow wave circuits manufactured using micro fabrication technology. The helices are supported by diamond dielectric support rods. Diamond is the best possible thermal conductor, and it can be bonded to the helix. The electron beam is transmitted, not through the center of the helix, but around the outside. In some configurations the RF power produced may be radiated directly from the slow wave circuit. The method of fabrication, which is applicable above 60 GHz, is compatible with mass production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Manhattan Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: James A. Dayton, Jr., Carol L. Kory
  • Patent number: 8618737
    Abstract: A plurality of LEDs arranged in groups, each group comprising at least one LED, a control circuit for driving the LEDs, the control circuit comprising a sensing device for sensing an operative parameter of the LEDs. The control circuit is arranged to: a) operate at least one group of the LEDs: b) sense by the sensing device a value of the operative parameter of the at least one group; c) repeat a) and b) for at least a different one of the groups; d) assign to each of the groups of LEDs a value of the operative parameter from the sensed operative parameter values; and e) control the driving of the groups of LEDs from the assigned operative parameter values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Eldolab Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Petrus Johannes Maria Welten
  • Patent number: 8618738
    Abstract: A light source system and a method for driving light emitting diodes (LEDs) are provided. The provided light source system includes: an LED module having a plurality of LED strings operated under a direct current (DC) output voltage; and a driving unit coupled to the LED module, and used for providing the DC output voltage by adopting a boost means and generating a plurality of pulsation current signals according to a setting signal so as to respectively drive the LED strings, in which the frequencies of the pulsation current signals are higher than a predetermined frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Au Optronics Corporation
    Inventors: Chun-Kuei Wen, Shih-Chieh Kuo, Che-Hsien Chen, Hung-Min Huang
  • Patent number: 8618739
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement for operating discharge lamps is provided with an input, to which an AC system voltage from a power supply system can be connected, an output, to which at least one discharge lamp can be connected, a backup capacitance, which is arranged between the input and the output, and a switch, which is in a charging current path of the backup capacitance. The circuit arrangement may include a driver configured to clock the switch for a predetermined period of time when the circuit arrangement is switched on for periodically interrupting the charging current path of the backup capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: OSRAM Gesellschaft mit beschraenkter Haftung
    Inventors: Alois Braun, Walter Limmer, Maximilian Schmidl