Patents Issued in April 1, 2014
  • Patent number: 8686560
    Abstract: Wafer-level chip-scale package semiconductor devices are described that have bump assemblies configured to mitigate solder bump failures due to stresses, particularly stresses caused by CTE mismatch during thermal cycling tests, dynamic deformation during drop tests or cyclic bending tests, and so on. In an implementation, the wafer-level chip-scale package devices include an integrated circuit chip having two or more arrays of bump assemblies for mounting the device to a printed circuit board. At least one of the arrays includes bump assemblies that are configured to withstand higher levels of stress than the bump assemblies of the remaining arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Pirooz Parvarandeh, Reynante Alvarado, Chiung C. Lo, Arkadii V. Samoilov
  • Patent number: 8686561
    Abstract: A nitride-based semiconductor light-emitting device 100 includes a GaN substrate 10, of which the principal surface is an m-plane 12, a semiconductor multilayer structure 20 that has been formed on the m-plane 12 of the GaN-based substrate 10, and an electrode 30 arranged on the semiconductor multilayer structure 20. The electrode 30 includes an Mg layer 32, which contacts with the surface of a p-type semiconductor region in the semiconductor multilayer structure 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiya Yokogawa, Mitsuaki Oya, Atsushi Yamada, Ryou Kato
  • Patent number: 8686562
    Abstract: According to one disclosed embodiment, an electrical contact for use on a semiconductor device comprises an electrode stack including a plurality of metal layers and a capping layer formed over the plurality of metal layers. The capping layer comprises a refractory metal nitride. In one embodiment, a method for fabricating an electrical contact for use on a semiconductor device comprises forming an electrode stack including a plurality of metal layers over the semiconductor device, and depositing a refractory metal nitride capping layer of the electrode stack over the plurality of metal layers. The method may further comprise annealing the electrode stack at a temperature of less than approximately 875° C. In some embodiments, the method may additionally include forming one of a Schottky metal layer and a gate insulator layer between the electrode stack and the semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventor: Sadiki Jordan
  • Patent number: 8686563
    Abstract: In a method of forming a semiconductor device, a feature layer is provided on a substrate and a mask layer is provided on the feature layer. A portion of the mask layer is removed in a first region of the semiconductor device where fine features of the feature layer are to be located, the mask layer remaining in a second region of the semiconductor device where broad features of the feature layer are to be located. A mold mask pattern is provided on the feature layer in the first region and on the mask layer in the second region. A spacer layer is provided on the mold mask pattern in the first region and in the second region. An etching process is performed to etch the spacer layer so that spacers remain at sidewalls of pattern features of the mold mask pattern, and to etch the mask layer in the second region to provide mask layer patterns in the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Yong Park, Jae-Hwang Sim, Young-Ho Lee, Kyung-Lyul Moon, Jae-Kwan Park
  • Patent number: 8686564
    Abstract: A first transistor group, a second transistor group, and an electrode pad are formed on a semiconductor substrate. A first protective film is formed so as to cover the semiconductor substrate except for an upper region of the electrode pad. The second protective film which generates a stress in a projecting direction is formed so as to cover the first protective film except for an upper region of the first transistor group. A transistor ability of the first transistor group is varied to be relatively higher due to a presence of the second protective film, based on a transistor ability of the second transistor group, as a reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8686565
    Abstract: An assembly and method of making same are provided. The assembly can be formed by stacking a first semiconductor element atop a second semiconductor element and forming an electrically conductive element extending through openings of the semiconductor elements. The openings may be staged. The conductive element can conform to contours of the interior surfaces of the openings and can electrically connect conductive pads of the semiconductor elements. A dielectric region can be provided at least substantially filling the openings of the semiconductor elements, and the electrically conductive element can extend through an opening formed in the dielectric region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Tessera, Inc.
    Inventors: Vage Oganesian, Belgacem Haba, Ilyas Mohammed, Craig Mitchell, Piyush Savalia
  • Patent number: 8686566
    Abstract: A coreless pin-grid array (PGA) substrate includes PGA pins that are integral to the PGA substrate without the use of solder. A process of making the coreless PGA substrate integrates the PGA pins by forming a build-up layer upon the PGA pins such that vias make direct contact to pin heads of the PGA pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Mihir K. Roy, Matthew J. Manusharow
  • Patent number: 8686567
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a lower wiring layer, having signal lines and power supply lines extending in a Y-direction; an upper wiring layer having signal lines and power supply lines extending in an X-direction; via conductors provided in first overlap regions where corresponding signal lines overlap each other; and via conductors provided in second overlap regions where corresponding power supply lines overlap each other. The width in the X-direction of the first regions is wider than the widths in the X-direction of the second regions. Therefore, in the first regions, a plurality of via conductors can be provided. Moreover, the power supply lines are divided in the Y-direction to avoid interference with the first regions. On a plurality of lower-layer lines, two vias are placed at a minimum pitch containing one via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Endo, Kazuteru Ishizuka, Hiroki Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 8686568
    Abstract: The package substrate includes a core, a plurality of first circuit segments, and a plurality of conductive pillars. Each of the first circuit segments has a patterned metal layer disposed on the core, a barrier layer disposed on the patterned metal layer, and an upper metal pattern disposed on the barrier layer. The conductive pillars penetrate the core, the patterned metal layer, and the barrier layer, and contact the upper metal pattern. The conductive pillars are formed from a material that can be selectively removed without affecting the barrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheng-Ming Wang, Hsiang-Ming Feng, Yen-Hua Kuo
  • Patent number: 8686569
    Abstract: A die arrangement includes a carrier having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the carrier including an opening leading from the first side of the carrier to the second side of the carrier; a first die disposed over the first side of the carrier and electrically contacting the carrier; a second die disposed over the second side of the carrier and electrically contacting the carrier; and an electrical contact structure leading through the opening in the carrier and electrically contacting the second die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Frank Daeche, Joachim Mahler, Anton Prueckl, Stefan Landau, Josef Hoeglauer
  • Patent number: 8686570
    Abstract: A structure comprises a first die, a second die, an interposer, a third die, and a fourth die. The first die and the second die each have a first surface and a second surface. First conductive connectors are coupled to the first surfaces of the first and second dies, and second conductive connectors are coupled to the second surfaces of the first and second dies. The interposer is over the first and second dies. A first surface of the interposer is coupled to the first conductive connectors, and a second surface of the interposer is coupled to third conductive connectors. The third and fourth dies are over the interposer and are coupled to the third conductive connectors. The first die is communicatively coupled to the second die through the interposer, and/or the third die is communicatively coupled to the fourth die through the interposer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark Semmelmeyer, Sandeep Kumar Goel
  • Patent number: 8686571
    Abstract: A structure comprises a first semiconductor substrate, a first bonding layer deposited on a bonding side the first semiconductor substrate, a second semiconductor substrate stacked on top of the first semiconductor substrate and a second bonding layer deposited on a bonding side of the second semiconductor substrate, wherein the first bonding layer is of a horizontal length greater than a horizontal length of the second semiconductor substrate, and wherein there is a gap between an edge of the second bonding layer and a corresponding edge of the second semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsin-Ting Huang, Jung-Huei Peng, Shang-Ying Tsai, Li-Min Hung, Yao-Te Huang, Yi-Chuan Teng, Chin-Yi Cho
  • Patent number: 8686572
    Abstract: A multi-chip stack module provides increased circuit density for a given surface chip footprint. Support structures are alternated with standard surface mount type chips to form a stack wherein the support structures electrically interconnect the chips. One aspect is a structure and method for interconnecting a plurality of generally planar chips in a vertical stack such that signals, which are common to the chips, are connected in the stack and signals, which are accessed individually, are separated within the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: STEC, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Moshayedi
  • Patent number: 8686573
    Abstract: Technique capable of achieving reliability improvement of a semiconductor device even if temperature rising of an operation guarantee temperature of the semiconductor device is performed is provided. Gap portions are provided among a plurality of pads, and a glass coat composed of, for example, a silicon oxide film or a silicon nitride film is embedded in the gap portions. The glass coat is provided in order to secure electrical insulation among the pads, and coats outer edge portions of the pads. Trenches are formed so as to be adjacent to regions, which are coated with the glass coat, of the outer edge portions of the pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Shiko Shin, Takayuki Saito, Hiroshi Horibe
  • Patent number: 8686574
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a wiring board that has a conductive pattern formed on at least one principal surface, and an IC chip that is mounted on the wiring board. The IC chip includes a plurality of electrodes to make conductor connection with the wiring board. The conductive pattern includes a lead line pattern and a heat dissipation pattern. The lead line pattern is connected with at least one of the plurality of electrodes through a conductor. The heat dissipation pattern is physically spaced from the IC chip and the lead line pattern and has a larger surface area than the lead line pattern. Further, the lead line pattern and the heat dissipation pattern are placed opposite to each other with a gap therebetween, and their opposite parts respectively have interdigitated shapes and are arranged with the respective interdigitated shapes engaging with each other with the gap therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Hidenori Egawa
  • Patent number: 8686575
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Ion Power Group, LLC
    Inventor: Clint McCowen
  • Patent number: 8686576
    Abstract: A linear induction generator for use in a weapon system comprising a matrix of coils, a matrix of magnets, a spindle assembly, a matrix of coils, and a dust cover there over. This generator is mounted onto a weapon receiver of the weapon system to generate raw electric current. The raw current is then rectified and delivered to either a battery or directly to the electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Alexander Paul Smith
  • Patent number: 8686577
    Abstract: An engine generator for driving an air motor to energize an engine is provided which reduces an installation space and facility and running costs. The engine generator (EG) is attached to a fire extinguishing facility (14). The fire extinguishing facility is designed to eject unburnable gas supplied from gas containers (11) and comprises an air motor (10) for driving an engine, and a valve unit (12) designed to drive in response to an instruction signal, control a pressure of the unburnable gas from the gas container and supply the pressure controlled unburnable gas to the air motor (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takatoshi Watanabe, Katsunori Tanaka, Hirotake Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8686578
    Abstract: An energy storage apparatus for storing energy transmitted by a power transmission line includes an elastically deformable component and an actuator-generator. The actuator-generator is coupled to the elastically deformable component such that electrical actuation of the actuator-generator generates tension in the elastically deformable component. The actuator-generator is further coupled to the elastically deformable component such that mechanical actuation of the actuator-generator via a release of tension in the elastically deformable component causes a generation of electrical energy by the actuator-generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Alistar K. Chan, Geoffrey F. Deane, Aaron Fyke, William Gross, Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K. Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Nathan B. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8686579
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a unique interactive game that includes multiple dynamic layers in which a participant may complete a variety of challenges and/or tasks. For example, the participant may obtain a toy “wand” from a retail phase that is usable in an interactive entertainment phase. The interactive entertainment phase may include multiple interrelated layers such that progress in one or more layers may affect the participant's experience in one or more other layers. The participant may also receive training on how to use the wand and/or complete one or more special effects, adventures and/or quests. During or following the interactive entertainment phase, the participant may use accumulated points and/or powers to redeem prizes and/or compete against other participants, such as in a duel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Creative Kingdoms, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan A. Barney, Denise Chapman Weston
  • Patent number: 8686580
    Abstract: In an oscillating water column (OWC) assembly power may be generated based on a power reference that is derived from an estimate of the available mechanical power in the air turbine 2 or a measured pressure drop across the turbine. The power reference is used to derive a power control torque reference within a power controller 14. A speed controller 16 uses a comparison of a measured speed of the generator 8 and a maximum speed limit to derive a speed control torque reference. A selector function 22 selects whichever of the power control and speed control torque references is the maximum at any time instant. The selected torque reference is input to an anti stall torque function 24 where it is selectively modified by applying a speed dependent gain that decreases with decreasing turbine speed, preferably so that the main torque reference is zero for a minimum speed limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: GE Energy Power Conversion Technology
    Inventors: Gerald Hearns, Christopher Alan Smith, Simon Gray, Matthew James Cunningham
  • Patent number: 8686581
    Abstract: A method for operating a wind turbine when a grid fault with a voltage drop occurs. The turbine has a rotor with a rotor blade having an adjustable blade pitch angle, a generator connected to the rotor for generating power for a power grid and a converter connected to the generator and the power grid. The grid fault is identified and a present value of a turbine variable representing a power is detected and a hold setpoint for the variable representing a power of the turbine is preset. A maximum and/or minimum permissible setpoint for the variable of the turbine is determined. The setpoint is increased or reduced once the hold time has elapsed. The turbine is driven with a setpoint preset which corresponds to the rotational speed. A presetting of the maximum permissible setpoint is ended when the rotational speed-dependent setpoint is lower than the maximum permissible setpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Nordex Energy GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Harms, Malte Laubrock
  • Patent number: 8686582
    Abstract: A wave energy converter (10) for extracting useful energy from wave motion. The converter (10) comprises an active float (12) that is arranged to float on the water, and being arranged to heave and surge in response to wave motion acting on the active float, and an elongate reactive body (14) that is arranged to be suspended in a substantially submerged state into the water and having sufficient surface area and length such that it pitches in response to wave motion-acting on the reactive body. The active float (12) and reactive body (14) are pivotably coupled for pivotable movement relative to each other about a single pivot axis (16) in response to heaving and surging of the active float and pitching of the reactive body. The converter also comprises a power output system that is driven by the pivotable movement about the pivot axis to capture the useful energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignees: Industrial Research Limited, Power Projects Limited
    Inventors: Alister Gardiner, Lan Le-Ngoc, Alan Caughley
  • Patent number: 8686583
    Abstract: Provided is a power generating device that includes a weight suspended from a buoy via a zip-line and at least two gears disposed on said zip-line which are coupled to a drive shafts, which in turn are coupled to an electric generator. The device converts the mechanical power of oscillating ocean waves into electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Andrew L. Bender
  • Patent number: 8686584
    Abstract: Embodiments that generate electrical power via hydro-electric systems that employ man-made flumes configured to support saltwater aquaculture are disclosed. Various embodiments pump water, such as saltwater or freshwater, into supply a man-made flume. The embodiments may generally employ a blade assembly to harness wind power and drive a mechanical pump that transfers the water into the man-made flume. The flumes in different embodiments may contain different forms of aquaculture, such as shrimp, fish, and crabs. As water flows through the flume, the continual fresh supply may continually aerate the water in the flume to support the aquatic life. Water exiting the flume may impact a turbine that is coupled to a generator to generate electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Stephen Lee Godinich
  • Patent number: 8686585
    Abstract: A kinetic energy generation device includes a rotation mechanism, a speed increaser coupled to the rotation mechanism, and a power generation element coupled to the speed increaser. The rotation mechanism includes a central shaft and an outer circumferential zone surrounding the central shaft. The outer circumferential zone receives therein partition plates set in radial direction and spaced from each other so that the partition plates show upward inclination. The central shaft is rotatably coupled to the speed increaser, and the speed increaser is coupled to the power generation element so as to constitute the kinetic energy generation device. The rotation mechanism is arranged under a water flow in order to allow each of the receiving zones to receive a weight of water, so that the weight of water causes the rotation mechanism to rotate in a given direction and thus drives the speed increaser to generate electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Hsien-Ming Lin
  • Patent number: 8686586
    Abstract: A lighting micro hydraulic power generator includes a leaving water shell, a coil module, a lighting module, a fan, and an entering water cover. The leaving water shell has a container, a plurality of leaving water holes, and a screw thread. The coil module is set within the container of the leaving water shell, which is able to receiving external force for power generation and outputting power. The lighting module is set on the bottom of the leaving water shell, wherein the lighting module is electrically connected to the coil module, and is powered by the coil module to emit light. The fan is connected to the coil module, when the fan is driven by the external force to rotate, it is able to drive the coil module to generate and output power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Agreat Shower & Sanitary (Xiamen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Pi-Kuang Tsai
  • Patent number: 8686587
    Abstract: A system to harvest energy from fluid flow includes: an outer body including a flowway; an inner sleeve rotatably coupled to the outer body; and a magnetostrictive material disposed proximate to the inner sleeve to be strained due to a rotation of the inner sleeve in response to a fluid flow in the flowway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Robello Samuel
  • Patent number: 8686588
    Abstract: A device arrangement includes an electronic device having a rechargeable battery and a power adapter which can be electrically coupled to the electronic device and has a converter circuit for producing at least one operating voltage (UB) for the electronic device from a supply voltage from a power supply system at a voltage output, wherein the operating voltage (UB) is a DC voltage, the voltage output of the electronic device and the power adapter can be connected to one another via at least one power supply line to transmit the DC voltage, and the electronic device has a monitor that monitors at least one state of the electronic device and/or of the rechargeable battery, a first controller that produces at least one control signal (S) as a function of the monitored state, and a first signal device that signals the produced signal (S) to the power adapter, which first signal device is designed to modulate a radio-frequency AC voltage signal which is associated with the control signal (S), onto the power suppl
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Technology Solutions Intellectual Property GmbH
    Inventors: Albertus Soemantri, Erwin Bässler
  • Patent number: 8686589
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (9) for controlling the maintenance actuators (7a, 7b) of the cowlings of a turbojet engine nacelle of an aircraft, that comprises a first stage (12) to be connected to an electric power network (10) of the aircraft, at least one second power stage (13a, 13b) including converters of a first DC voltage from the first stage (12) into a second DC voltage for powering at least one maintenance actuator (7a, 7b) connected downstream from the device (9), a control means (14) for the first and second stages (12, 13a, 13b), and a means (15) for establishing a communication between the control means (14) and at least one control housing (16a, 16b) so that a user can control the operation of the actuators, the control means being arranged so as to carry out switching operations between a first operation mode in which the second stage(s) (13a, 13b) are powered, and a second standby mode in which the second stage(s) (13a, 13b) are not powered by the first stage (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Aircelle
    Inventor: David Pereira
  • Patent number: 8686590
    Abstract: An aircraft sensor system including a primary module configured to be attached to an aircraft portion and operative to transmit electrical power wirelessly. A secondary module configured to be attached to an aircraft component, the secondary module operative to receive electrical power wirelessly from the primary module. At least one sensor configured to be operatively attached to a portion of the aircraft component and electrically coupled to the secondary module, wherein the at least one sensor is operative to measure a desired parameter of the aircraft component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Bugash, Scott T. Fusare
  • Patent number: 8686591
    Abstract: An electrically-driven vehicle 10 comprises a chargeable and dischargeable battery 20, a charger 16 that charges the battery 20 using a supply of electric power from an external power supply 100, an accessory unit 19 that is driven by a supply of electric power from at least one of the battery 20 and the charger 16; and a PM-ECU 18 that controls drive of the charger 16 so that the charged amount of the battery does not exceed a predetermined charging upper limit. The PM-ECU 18 sets the charging upper limit used when the accessory unit 19 is being driven, lower than the charging upper limit used when the accessory unit 19 is not being driven in order to avoid overcharging when excessive electric power is supplied from the accessory unit 19 to the battery 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Noritake Mitsutani
  • Patent number: 8686592
    Abstract: A system for, and method of, combining the outputs of multiple, disparate types of power sources and an isolated converter module employed in the same. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a plurality of isolated converter modules having power inputs couplable to corresponding disparate types of power sources and a DC-output converter configured to convert power received from at least one of the power sources to DC power and (2) a DC bus coupled to power outputs of the plurality of isolated converter modules and configured to receive and aggregate the DC power. With such system, a universal converter module can be employed to identify and convert power from a variety of conventional and renewable power sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Edward C. Fontana, Paul Smith
  • Patent number: 8686593
    Abstract: Aspects and embodiments described herein provide power devices with tactile sensors to activate light emitting elements that illuminate power device interfaces, facilitating engagement of the interfaces with external loads and their connectors and the manipulation of control panels and their interfaces. A housing houses at least a portion of the power device and can include a tactile sensor to detect a presence of an object proximate to the power device. When an object is detected, the controller and the tactile sensor activate at least one light emitting element to illuminate a least a portion of the housing that includes an interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Schneider Electric IT Corporation
    Inventors: Yi-Ching Chang, Shen-Yuan Chien
  • Patent number: 8686594
    Abstract: A method of adding a power feed to electrical systems includes coupling a set of input lines to a power source such that the input lines are connected to at least one phase of AC power from the power source, and coupling a set of backfeed lines to an output receptacle in a power distribution unit. The output receptacle may be connected in parallel with at least one other output receptacle that is supplying primary power to systems in the data center. The set of backfeed lines and the set of input lines may be tested to determine a match between a pair of lines in the set of backfeed lines and a pair of lines in the set of input lines. Determining the match may include matching the phase of the pair of backfeed lines with the phase of the pair of input lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Osvaldo P. Morales, Robin McCulloch, Pat Hughes
  • Patent number: 8686595
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a TPMS transmission module having a power saving function, the TPMS transmission module including: a micom outputting a switch turn-off control signal when a vehicle having the TPMS transmission module mounted therein is stopped; a switch supplying a power when the switch is turned on and blocking the supply of the power when it is turned off; an energy generator generating and outputting an electric power when a tire rotates; and a switch controller turning on the switch when the electric power of a predetermined voltage or more is generated in the energy generator and turning off the switch when a switch turn off control signal is output from the micom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyungno Lee, Kang Joo Kim, Jong Hyeong Song, Hae Seung Hyun, Seung Do An, Jong Woo Han
  • Patent number: 8686596
    Abstract: A fuse box system and method providing for visual and/or remote sensing of interrupted fusing elements is disclosed. The system incorporates LEDs and/or remote sensing apparatus to permit indication of a “blown” fuse and/or circuit protection breaker. This system may be configured for both polarized and/or non-polarized applications and generally provides for indicator illumination when a fuse/breaker is blown. Some preferred embodiments may incorporate current sourcing technologies to permit operation of the system over wide range of system voltages, as well as provisions for wired and/or RF/wireless interrogation of the fuse/breaker status. Alternate embodiments including systems/methods to permit remote sensing of fuse status and/or circuit current monitoring, and may be retrofit within existing fuse/breaker panel systems in some configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventors: Roy Allen Huss, Jerry Anthony Dufour, Kevin Mark Klughart
  • Patent number: 8686597
    Abstract: A device is configured to inject signals onto a medium made up of conductors and a reference plane. Transformers inject the signals onto the conductors by orthogonal modes. Differential mode chokes each include one input and two outputs. The input is connected to one end of a secondary winding of one of the transformers, or one of the outputs of another one of the chokes. The two outputs are connected to either the inputs of two others of the chokes, the input of another one of the chokes and a conditioner of one of the conductors, or conditioners of two of the conductors. The number of chokes depends on a number of non-differential modes used. The injections that use the chokes are injections selected from between pseudo-differential injections, injection in common mode, or a combination of pseudo-differential injections and injection in common mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Marvell Hispania, S.L.U.
    Inventors: Jorge Vicente Blasco Claret, José Luis González Moreno, José María Vidal Ros
  • Patent number: 8686598
    Abstract: Described herein are improved capabilities for a source resonator having a Q-factor Q1>100 and a characteristic size x1 coupled to an energy source, and a second resonator having a Q-factor Q2>100 and a characteristic size x2 coupled to an energy drain located a distance D from the source resonator, where the source resonator and the second resonator are coupled to exchange energy wirelessly among the source resonator and the second resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: WiTricity Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Schatz, Aristeidis Karalis, Katherine L. Hall, Morris P. Kesler, Marin Soljacic, Eric R. Giler, Andre B. Kurs, Konrad J. Kulikowski
  • Patent number: 8686599
    Abstract: A power transmission system and a power receiving jacket is provided that enhances the transmission efficiency of electric power with a simple structure and without increasing manufacturing costs. The power transmission system includes a power transmitting device having a first passive electrode, a first active electrode whose potential is higher than the first passive electrode, and a voltage generation circuit connected between the first passive electrode and the first active electrode, a power receiving jacket having a second active electrode and a power receiving circuit module connected to the second active electrode, and an electronic device attachable to the power receiving jacket. The electronic device includes a chassis having a conductive portion formed from a conductive material along a surface facing the first passive electrode, and the power receiving circuit module is electrically connected between the conductive portion and the second active electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takanori Tsuchiya, Kazuya Kato
  • Patent number: 8686600
    Abstract: Systems and methods for configuring contacts of a first connector includes detecting mating of a second connector with the first connector and in response to the detection, sending a command over one of the contacts and waiting for a response to the command. If a valid response to the command is received, the system determines the orientation of the second connector. The response also includes configuration information for contacts in the second connector. The system then configures some of the other contacts of the first connector based on the determined orientation and configuration information of the contacts of the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Scott Mullins, Alexei Kosut, Jahan Minoo
  • Patent number: 8686601
    Abstract: A power conversion apparatus for vehicle use having a small size and a light weight is obtained. The power conversion apparatus is provided with: a plurality of semiconductor modules in which semiconductor devices are molded with a resin, and each of which has a module body, an input terminal, and an output terminal; a heat sink of a rectangular parallelepiped shape which has cooling principal planes on opposite surfaces thereof, respectively, for cooling these semiconductor modules; and a plurality of control boards which control the driving of the semiconductor modules. Each of the semiconductor modules is arranged such that its module body has a principal plane in surface contact with one of the cooling principal planes of the heat sink, and each of the control boards is arranged in opposition to a surface of the module body at an opposed side of the principal plane thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Michinaka, Satoshi Ishibashi, Masaru Kobayashi, Haruyuki Matsuo, Yuji Kuramoto
  • Patent number: 8686602
    Abstract: A method of propelling a magnetic manipulator above a circuit substrate includes arranging a magnetic manipulator on a diamagnetic layer on a surface of the circuit substrate, generating drive signals using a controller, and applying the drive signals to at least two conductive traces arranged in the circuit substrate below the diamagnetic layer. A circuit substrate to control movement of a magnetic manipulator has a diamagnetic layer on a surface of the substrate, and conductive traces arranged under the diamagnetic layer, the conductive traces arranged in a parallel line pattern in at least two separate layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: SRI International
    Inventors: Ronald E. Pelrine, Gregory Kent Myers, Annjoe Wong-Foy, James A. Herson, Thomas P. Low
  • Patent number: 8686603
    Abstract: Provided is a linear and rotary actuator capable of bearing moment and load from a movable body and downsizing its radial dimension. A spline shaft is held in housings to be movable linearly in the axial direction and rotatable about the axis. The spline shaft is connected to a mover shaft of a linear motor. The spline shaft is surrounded with a hollow rotor of a rotary motor. The rotor is connected to a spline nut which transmits rotation of the rotor to the spline shaft by rotating together with the rotor and allows linear movement of the spline shaft. The rotor of the rotary motor is rotated by a stator of the rotary motor. The spline nut, the stator of the rotary motor and a stator of the linear motor are arranged in this order from an end of the spline shaft and mover shaft along the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: THK Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Aso, Shuhei Yamanaka, Takayuki Kuze
  • Patent number: 8686605
    Abstract: In a rotary electric machine, a stator coil includes in-slot portions each contained in a corresponding one of slots of a stator core. The stator coil includes turn portions each connecting one end of a corresponding one of the in-slot portions projecting from one axial end of the stator core with one end of a corresponding alternative one of the in-slot portions projecting the one axial end of the stator core. The turn portions provide an end portion of the stator coil. A coolant guide is placed to cover a circumferential outer part of the end portion of the stator coil from radially outside thereof and provided with holes therethrough. The coolant guide guides a coolant therealong in a circumferential direction of the end portion of the stator coil while guiding, through the holes, a part of the coolant to the end portion of the stator coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignees: Nippon Soken, Inc., Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takutou Takahashi, Kazunori Uchiyama, Naoki Hakamada, Masahiro Seguchi
  • Patent number: 8686606
    Abstract: A cooling device includes an inner sleeve with an outer surface, an outer sleeve surrounding the inner sleeve, and two end portions extending between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve at the ends. The inner sleeve, the outer sleeve and the end portions define a peripheral space. A flow guiding structure defines N channels in the peripheral space for coolant to flow, where N is an integer equal to or greater than 1. Each channel has at least two branches, and N pairs of inlet and outlet corresponding to the N channels. The branches of each channel are in fluid communication with a respective pair of inlet and outlet. Each branch extends over a half circumferential part of the outer surface of the inner sleeve. An electric motor incorporating the cooling device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Electric S.A.
    Inventors: Mao Xiong Jiang, Yue Li, Gang Li, Yong Wang, Hai Hui Xiang
  • Patent number: 8686607
    Abstract: The rotor of an electrical motor should be designed simply and able to be efficiently cooled. To this end, the invention relates to an electrical motor having a rotor that has at least one radial cooling slot (16) and axially running cooling channels. The first cooling channels (18) run having their central axis at a different radial height opposite the axis of the rotor (11) than the second cooling channels (19). A spacer (29) is arranged in the at least one radial cooling slot (16) by means of which a first cooling stream (28) can be conducted from one of the first cooling channels (18) into one of the second cooling channels (19). A second partial package (T2) in the flow direction can also be supplied with cool air in this way if it flows through the first partial package (T1) in a cool region, such as near the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gunther Elender, Oliver Memminger, Norbert Schönbauer, Karl Senninger
  • Patent number: 8686608
    Abstract: A synchronous reluctance machine includes a rotor having a plurality of rotor disks with longitudinal flux barriers. When the rotor disks are stacked together to form a rotor core, the flux barriers define channels extending in an axial direction of the rotor core. Air is forced to flow through these channels in order to improve a temperature distribution within the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Heinz Lendenmann, Vesa Osterholm
  • Patent number: 8686609
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical motor (10), in particular an alternating current generator, having a housing (13) that has at least one bearing shield (13.2), having a rectifier device (139) which has an interconnection unit (144) that interconnects the current rectifier (147, 150) to a bridge circuit, characterized in that the interconnection unit (144) has at least one platform (295) that is oriented to the bearing shield (13.2) and the opening (40) is separated by at least one brace (340) which holds a hub (337), wherein the opening (40) has a niche (346) that is incorporated on the radial outer edge (349) of the opening and wherein the platform (295) projects into said niche (346) and a connection wire (216) exiting the platform (295) extends into the opening (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: David Furthmueller, Syed Farhad Khurshid, Gianna Nario-Rivera, Klaus Herbold, Ruediger Schroth, Stefan Einbock
  • Patent number: 8686610
    Abstract: The present invention provides an automotive dynamoelectric stator that enables vibration resistance of a lead portion to be ensured and reductions in area of the lead portion and a coil end group that is exposed to a cooling airflow to be suppressed without increasing work or cost. In a dynamoelectric machine according to the present invention, first lead portions that connect a plurality of windings to configure phase windings are each led axially outward from a rear-end coil end group, and then disposed so as to extend parallel to an axially outer peripheral surface of the rear-end coil end group so as to cross at least one other first lead portion, and so as to be separated from the axially outer peripheral surface of the rear-end coil end group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shogo Okamoto, Shinji Nishimura, Shiro Iizuka, Yoshiro Imazawa, Ken Nishikawa, Michiya Yasui, Kensaku Kuroki, Yoshihiro Harada, Naoya Nishikawa