Patents Issued in April 8, 2014
  • Patent number: 8692397
    Abstract: A mechanism for the conversion of vertical motion to translational or rotational motion includes a substrate, at least one permanent magnet, at least one coil of wire, at least one inelastic material, at least one elastic material, and at least one pivot point. The coil of wire is a solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: William W. Lai, Alfred J. Baca, M. Joseph Roberts, Lawrence C. Baldwin, Michael T. Owens
  • Patent number: 8692398
    Abstract: The invention provides a mobile environment-controlled unit having a chassis, a compartment supported by the chassis, and an environmental-control system in environmental communication with the compartment. The environmental-control system includes a multiphase alternator powered by an internal combustion engine and supplies electrical power for the environmental-control system. The alternator has a first phase winding to generate a first high-voltage alternating phase current and a second phase winding to generate a second high-voltage alternating phase current. The environmental-control system further includes a magnetic sensor including a core, and a magnetic sensing device interconnected to the core and providing an output based on a sensed electromagnetic parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Robert N. Neddermeyer, III, Gregory R. Truckenbrod, Matthew S. Nelson, Ashok Muralidhar
  • Patent number: 8692399
    Abstract: A wind energy plant and method for operating it, the plant having a doubly-fed asynchronous machine, a grid-sided converter and a generator-sided converter both being controlled by a control means. In case of a grid fault the converters are controlled by at least one control module which (i) controls the torque and/or the active power and (ii) controls the reactive current and/or the reactive power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Nordex Energy GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Schubert, Uwe Bellgardt
  • Patent number: 8692400
    Abstract: A rotating electrical machine abnormal state detection apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes: a current signal acquisition unit, coupled to a rotating electrical machine, for acquiring a set of real-time current waveforms from the rotating electrical machine; a state characteristic database, pre-storing a plurality of abnormal state characteristics which respectively correspond to a plurality of abnormal states; and an abnormal state detection unit, coupled to the current signal acquisition unit and the state characteristic database, for performing signal analysis on the set of real-time current waveforms to produce a current state characteristic, and comparing the current state characteristic with the abnormal state characteristics pre-stored in the state characteristic database to determine the abnormal state of the rotating electrical machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Chung Yuan Christian University
    Inventor: Chun-Yao Lee
  • Patent number: 8692401
    Abstract: A mooring system for a semi-submersible platform includes buoyancy structures for providing buoyancy to the semi-submersible platform, mooring lines connected to the buoyancy structures, and anchors embedded in the sea floor that are connected to the mooring lines. At least one-half of the mooring lines are attached to one of the buoyancy structures. A ballast control system for a wind turbine platform includes a sensor that is configured to detect a rotation of a wind turbine and a controller that is configured to direct a transfer of ballast to correct the of the wind turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Principle Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Dominique Roddier, Christian Cermelli
  • Patent number: 8692402
    Abstract: An electrical generator using ocean wave and current forces to spin a turbine mean and alternator connected together by a flexible shaft. An electrical generator that takes its inspiration from a giant kelp plant that bends in wave or current forces thus presenting its turbine blades at the right angle to the force. A resilient flexible turbine generator of small stature resembling an ocean surf zone macrocystus which (instead of float and fronds) has a turbine floating at its top-most end and an alternator anchored to the ocean floor, both connected by a force transmitting flexible shaft. Ecologically friendly, turbo generator designed to be “ganged” into a “forest” of similar devices to harness the forces inherent in ocean waves and currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Jeffrey John Wessner
  • Patent number: 8692403
    Abstract: An installation method for an underwater power plant includes a nacelle comprising a nacelle housing having a first nacelle housing section, a water turbine including a drive connection to a drive shaft, the drive shaft being mounted inside the first nacelle housing section, an electrical generator, comprising a generator rotor and a generator stator, and a generator housing. The electrical generator and the generator housing from a separate generator module that can be handled and installed as a whole, and an adjustment of bearings for the drive shaft is executed before a production of a coupling between the generator module and the drive shaft, and the generator housing is coupled in a rotationally-fixed manner to the first nacelle housing section and the generator is coupled in a rotationally-fixed manner to the drive shaft, the generator rotor being carried by the drive shaft after the coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Benjamin Holstein, Norman Perner
  • Patent number: 8692404
    Abstract: A chained assembly of hydroelectric power generators is capable of generating electrical power from a moving body of water. The chained assembly comprises at least one anchoring stand and a plurality of hydroelectric power generators. Each hydroelectric power generator comprises a buoyant shell that is buoyant or partially buoyant in a body of water. One or more of the buoyant shells are suspended from the anchoring stand. Each buoyant shell contains an electrical generator mounted on a stationary shaft. An electrical cable connects the hydroelectric power generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: CHAUP, Inc.
    Inventor: Phillip Lynn Chauvin
  • Patent number: 8692405
    Abstract: Wind generator comprising a folding mast pivotally mounted about an articulation positioned at a location some way between the lower and upper ends of the mast. The mast is actuated by a ram which is connected to the lower end of the mast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Alizeo
    Inventors: Richard Lavaur, Michel De Vivo, Alain Ghiretti
  • Patent number: 8692406
    Abstract: An air-guiding carrier type wind power collection device includes a floating body and two air guiding tubes. The floating body includes a compartment filled with an uprising gas having a density lower than that of air. The floating body includes a floating assembly controlling a pressure and a temperature of the uprising gas received in the compartment. The air guiding tubes extend through the compartment of the floating body. Each air guiding tube has an air inlet and an air outlet. The air outlet includes a peripheral wall having a windward section and a guiding section. The peripheral wall has a cutout portion formed between the windward section and the guiding section. An air channel is formed between and in communication with the air inlet and the air outlet of each air guiding tube. A wind power generating assembly is mounted in each of the air channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: National Pingtung University of Science & Technology
    Inventors: Chang-Hsien Tai, Shi-Wei Lo, Uzu-Kuei Hsu
  • Patent number: 8692407
    Abstract: A power line transmission apparatus is not interfered by the noise of the public power for transmitting high quality video/audio signal. The power line transmission apparatus includes an isolating unit connected between an external power line and an internal power line for isolating a high frequency noise signal carried on the external power line and transmitting a first power signal of the external power line from the external power line to the internal power line, and a power line network interface. The power line network interface includes at least one digital signal input/output interface for inputting or outputting a digital signal, converting the digital signal, and modulating the converted signal into the first power signal to form a second power signal and transmit the second power signal to the internal power line. A home network system without noise signal interference is built by utilizing several power line transmission apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Powertech Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Lung Lee, Ming-Chou Kuo
  • Patent number: 8692408
    Abstract: A sub-sea power delivery system includes a plurality of modular power converter building blocks on each of the power source side and the sub-sea load side that are stacked and interconnected to meet site expansion requirements and electrical load topologies. The power delivery system comprises a system DC transmission link/bus, wherein the system DC link is configured to carry HVDC or MVDC power from an onshore utility or topside power source to multiple sub-sea load modules. The stacked modular power converter topology on the sub-sea side of the sub-sea power delivery system is symmetrical with the stacked modular power converter topology on the on-shore/top-side of the sub-sea power delivery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard S. Zhang, Rajib Datta, Christof Martin Sihler, Manguelle Joseph Song
  • Patent number: 8692409
    Abstract: A system for managing distribution of electrical power includes a power management circuit, power control units, a first keyline and a second keyline. The power management circuit includes a device configured to measure power consumed by an electrical load, and a comparator comparing the measured power with a power limit. Each power control unit includes an outlet for delivering power to a load; a timing control circuit coupled to each outlet and configured to deliver an enabling signal to each outlet individually with a time delay; a signal input; and a signal output. The first keyline connects the power management circuit with the signal input of one power control unit; the second keyline connects the signal output of that power control unit with the signal input of another power control unit. Each power control unit is configured to propagate a signal to another power control signal via the second keyline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Jouper
  • Patent number: 8692410
    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 8, 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: 8692411
    Abstract: A wireless electric power supply method includes: supplying electric power from a power supply section to a power-transmission resonance coil at a resonance frequency which causes magnetic field resonance; transmitting the electric power, supplied from the power supply section, as magnetic field energy from the power-transmission resonance coil to a power-reception resonance coil by using the magnetic field resonance, the power-transmission resonance coil being capable of being in magnetic field resonance with the power-reception resonance coil at the resonance frequency; monitoring the electric power supply by using a monitor section; comparing, by using a comparison section, the monitoring result obtained by the monitor section with characteristics data indicating the characteristics of the electric power supply performed by the power supply section; and controlling, by using a control section, the electric power supply performed by the power supply section, on the basis of the comparison result obtained by
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Akiyoshi Uchida
  • Patent number: 8692412
    Abstract: Described herein are improved configurations for a resonator for wireless power transfer that includes a conductor forming one or more loops and having an inductance L, a network of capacitors, having a capacitance, C, and a desired electrical parameter, coupled to the conductor, the network having at least one capacitor of a first type with a first temperature profile of the electrical parameter, and the network having at least one capacitor of a second type with a second temperature profile of the electrical parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: WiTricity Corporation
    Inventors: Ron Fiorello, Konrad J. Kulikowski
  • Patent number: 8692413
    Abstract: In a noncontact electric power feeding system using a resonance method, electrical equipment installed within a coil case is configured to include an electric power receiving antenna and a rectifier in an integrated manner. The electrical equipment is driven by receiving electric power from an electromagnetic field generated by electromagnetic resonance, without power supply from the outside of the coil case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaru Sasaki, Shinji Ichikawa, Toru Nakamura, Yukihiro Yamamoto, Taira Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 8692414
    Abstract: Power is fed from a feeding coil L2 to a receiving coil L3 by magnetic resonance. An oscillator 202 alternately turns ON/OFF switching transistors Q1 and Q2 to cause AC current IS of drive frequency fo to flow in a transformer T2 primary coil Lb. The AC current IS causes AC current I1 to flow in an exciting coil L1 and causes AC current I2 to flow in the feeding coil L2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Urano
  • Patent number: 8692415
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for operating electronic components in a device by separating the devices into a high power group and a low power group; constantly powering the low power group; providing a movable device coupled to power when the device is moved; and providing power to the high power group when the device is moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventors: Alan An Thuan Tran, Bao Q. Tran
  • Patent number: 8692416
    Abstract: A system for reducing the voltage of an AC electrical supply to a load for the purpose of energy efficiency, comprising a transformer and power converter in circuit between an AC electrical supply and a load, and a bypass switch S to cause the transformer to be taken out of circuit and to connect the electrical supply to the load in the event of a sustained overload of the transformer. The system includes means (14) to measure the temperature of the transformer, means (17) to measure the electrical current in the circuit and control means (15) receiving signals from the sensors (14, 17) and to operate bypass switch S to bypass the transformer and allow it to cool. A fuse F2 and thermal cut out device (16) are in circuit with the secondary winding of the transformer as failsafe means to interrupt the supply to the transformer in the event that the bypass switch fails to operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Southern Fox Investments Limited
    Inventors: Lee Juby, Philip M. Riley, Stephen Mangan
  • Patent number: 8692417
    Abstract: A device adapted to support a jumper wire during maintenance or repairs to various elements associated with the suspension and switching of electrical power conductors on both transmission and distribution power grids. The device comprises two members of various shapes, pinned together in opposition with a pivot, to allow the opening and closing of said clamping system. The device can be manufactured of many materials in order to meet specific strength or dielectric requirements. Additionally, the shape of the device can be optimized to support a variety of objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: The Southern Company
    Inventor: David W. McQuaig
  • Patent number: 8692418
    Abstract: A downsized electric junction box and a power supply device having the same are provided. The electric junction box includes: a box main body including a connector engagement portion to be engaged with a connector and relay mount portions for mounting relays; and a wiring unit received in the box main body including mount portions mounted on a bottom wall of a lower case of the box main body and a plurality of terminal portions positioned inside the connector engagement portion and extending from the mount portions. A terminal positioning portion of the lower case includes a planar wall positioning the terminal portions on a surface thereof, extending walls extending from between the adjacent terminal portions, and parallely-projecting walls each projecting from an end of the extending wall in parallel with the planar wall. The mount portion includes a cutout portion through which the parallely-projecting wall is passed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiro Ikeda, Yoshinobu Furuya
  • Patent number: 8692419
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a wind power plant (15-19) with a rotor-driven (25-29) electric generator (30) for delivering electric power to an electric grid (31) which provides a grid voltage in which, when excess voltage prevails in the grid (31), idle power from the wind power plant (15-19) is fed to the grid (31) in order to lower the voltage. A wind power plant is provided (15-19) with a rotor-driven electric generator (30) for delivering electric power to an electric grid (31) in which when excess voltage prevails in the grid idle power from the wind power plant (15-19) is fed to the grid (31) in order to lower the voltage. Monitoring occurs to determine whether within a predeterminable time a voltage was lowered to a predeterminable reference value and/or an idle current is delivered which is greater than or equal to a predeterminable idle current reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Repower Systems SE
    Inventors: Jens Fortmann, Heinz-Hermann Letas
  • Patent number: 8692420
    Abstract: The invention relates to a safety device, comprising a first, microprocessor-controlled control unit and a second control unit, for multichannel controlling of a safety-related unit. The first microprocessor-controlled control unit has a signal generation unit for generating a first monitoring signal that indicates the current operating state of the first control unit. In addition, a switching unit drivable by the first and second control unit that can turn on the safety-related unit or run it into a secured state is provided. The second control unit has a monoflop that, in response to the monitoring signal, drives the switching unit in such a manner that the safety-related unit can be driven into a safe state in case of faulty operation of the first control unit. A device is associated with the first control unit for generating an enable signal for the second control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Henning Frevert
  • Patent number: 8692422
    Abstract: A spring-less buried magnet linear-resonant motor is provided. The motor includes a buried magnet system and a stator operable to produce an alternating magnetic field exerting alternating axial forces on the buried magnet system that has a self-centering force and a required stiffness to reciprocate at a frequency near an alternating current (AC) supply frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology
    Inventor: Zaid Al Otaibi
  • Patent number: 8692423
    Abstract: There is provided a vibrator, including: a case having an inner space; a coil fixedly mounted on a side wall of the case; an elastic member fixedly mounted on the case so as to be disposed within the coil; a weight body fixedly mounted on the elastic member; and a magnet fixedly mounted on the weight body so as to face the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung Taek Hong, Dae Lyun Kang
  • Patent number: 8692424
    Abstract: A stator comprises a cavity formed into the insulator of the windings. The non-wound wire sections that extend from the windings and the electrical conductors attached thereto are housed within the cavity. A cap locks onto the stator insulator and prevents the non-wound sections of wire from migrating out of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Bohrer, Daniel E. Bailey, Michael W. Major, Daniel E. Hilton, Gregory M. Levine, Barry M. Newberg, James R. Gore, Mark D. Piatt
  • Patent number: 8692425
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide an electric machine module comprising a housing including a sleeve member and at least one end cap. In some embodiments, the sleeve member can include a first coolant jacket and a second coolant jacket. Also, in some embodiments, the end cap can include an end cap coolant jacket. Also, some embodiments provide an electric machine including stator end turns, housing at least partially enclosing the electric machine, and an end cap coolant jacket positioned substantially axially outward relative to at least one of the stator end turns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Remy Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alex S. Creviston, Bradley D. Chamberlin, Larry Kubes
  • Patent number: 8692426
    Abstract: A direct current motor comprises a magnet assembly having a pair of magnets for generating a magnetic field and a coil assembly located between the pair of magnets, the coil assembly and the magnet assembly being movable relative to each other. The coil assembly further comprises a first coil section and a second coil section which are electrically connected to each other. A current generator is electrically connected to the coil assembly and is operative to provide first, second and third currents. The first current is electrically connected directly to the first coil section and the second current is electrically connected directly to the second coil section whereas the third current is electrically connected to the first and second coil sections at a position connecting the first and second coil sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: ASM Assembly Automation Ltd
    Inventors: Wai Chuen Gan, Gary Peter Widdowson
  • Patent number: 8692427
    Abstract: The circuit board includes: a first resin-molded body; a second resin-molded body; and a plurality of terminals each including: a positive electrode terminal portion to which is connected a lead of the positive-side rectifying element to be connected thereto; a negative electrode terminal portion to which is connected a lead of the negative-side rectifying element to be connected thereto; and a trunk portion that links the positive electrode terminal portion and the negative electrode terminal portion. The plurality of terminals are each held between the first resin-molded body and the second resin-molded body so as to be separated from each other such that the trunk portion is disposed between mating surfaces of the first resin-molded body and the second resin-molded body, the positive electrode terminal portion is inserted through the second resin-molded body, and the negative electrode terminal portion is inserted through the first resin-molded body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Kazunori Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8692428
    Abstract: A linear actuator having an output shaft with a long moving distance is provided. A linear actuator includes a rotary shaft, a motor portion having a rotor and a stator, a ball screw mechanism including a ball screw nut fixed to a first end of the rotary shaft and a ball screw, a casing assembly including a first end bracket and a second end bracket, an electromagnetic brake device including a rotary brake disc, a stationary brake disc, and an electromagnetic coil, and a brake cover for covering the electromagnetic brake device. The electromagnetic brake device has a hollow structure allowing a second end of the rotary shaft to pass therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Sanyo Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigenori Miyairi, Koji Nakatake
  • Patent number: 8692429
    Abstract: A motor casing, including a hollow motor casing body. The wall of the motor casing body comprises a plurality of brackets and a plurality of grooves which are formed simultaneously by punching the wall of the motor casing body. The plurality of grooves is disposed one close to one of the brackets. One end of each bracket is coupled to the wall of the motor casing body. The motor casing has a simple structure, low cost, and reliable connection and requires less materials compared to conventional motor casings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Zhongshan Broad-Ocean Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hongyu Jia, Xiongcheng Wang
  • Patent number: 8692430
    Abstract: A motor assembling method provides a base with a shaft tube. The shaft tube has a thermoplastic positioning portion on an opening end thereof, and a shaft tube assembly is disposed into the shaft tube via the opening end. The motor assembling method further heats the thermoplastic positioning portion by a heating fixture to melt and deform the thermoplastic positioning portion until the opening end of the shaft tube has shrunk. The shaft tube assembly is held in position in the shaft tube after the thermoplastic positioning portion has cooled down and solidified. The motor assembling method further couples a stator unit with an outer circumferential wall of the shaft tube, and couples a rotor with the shaft tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Sunonwealth Electric Machine Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Alex Horng
  • Patent number: 8692431
    Abstract: A permanent magnet rotor including a shaft, a rotor core fixed to the shaft, a magnet disposed around the core, and a linker fixed relative to the shaft and located at one end of the core. An elastic clamping structure is arranged between the linker and the magnet such that rotational torque of the magnet is transferred to the shaft via the linker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Electric S.A.
    Inventors: James Ching Sik Lau, Jun Yang, Wan Mei He
  • Patent number: 8692432
    Abstract: A method for securing a permanent magnet within a rotor core is described. The rotor core includes a first end and a second end and at least one permanent magnet opening configured to receive the permanent magnet. The method includes coupling a first rotor end lamination to the first end of the rotor core. The first lamination includes at least one inner wall that defines an opening within the first lamination that corresponds to the permanent magnet opening in the rotor core. The first lamination includes a bridge portion positioned between the at least one inner wall and an outer edge of the first rotor end lamination. The method also includes positioning a permanent magnet at least partially within the permanent magnet opening and mechanically deforming the bridge portion of the first lamination to secure the permanent magnet within the permanent magnet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold C. Kingrey, John R. Oakes, Daniel S. Figgins, Jeffrey A. Hall, Subhash M. Brahmavar, Donald E. Bair
  • Patent number: 8692433
    Abstract: A rotor (or a stator) for a superconducting electrical machine includes a mounting that is maintained at substantially ambient temperature during operation of the electrical machine and a field coil support structure. A plurality of superconducting field coils are maintained at cryogenic temperatures during operation of the electrical machine and are supported by the field coil support structure. At least one coupling element is used to fix the field coil support structure to the mounting. The field coil support structure is preferably fixed to the mounting by a plurality of substantially circumferentially extending coupling elements at a first and second axial end of the field coil support structure and the mounting such that the mounting and field coil support structure are substantially separated over their axial lengths by a vacuum gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: GE Energy Power Conversion Technology Limited
    Inventors: Joseph Eugene, Graham Derek Le Flem
  • Patent number: 8692435
    Abstract: A rotor slot is asymmetrically shaped with respect to a straight line drawn from the central axis of the rotation of the rotor in a radial direction, and has a slot opening, the circumferential width of which is smaller than that of the rotor slot, at the top of the rotor slot, so that a loss generated in the rotor due to a carrier harmonic component can be reduced and the power factor can be improved, enabling a current generated in an armature winding to be suppressed and thereby improving efficiency in a rated operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Sawahata, Mamoru Kimura, Satoshi Kikuchi, Akiyoshi Komura
  • Patent number: 8692436
    Abstract: In a brushless motor comprising: a stator S having a stator core 14 arranged surrounding a bearing part, and a core cover 15 arranged on a surface of the stator core; and a rotor R having a rotational shaft 22, a rotor case 21, and a drive magnet 25, the core cover 15 itself has an integrally formed rotor retaining part that enters a groove 22a in the rotational shaft 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Tokyo Parts Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Nishidate
  • Patent number: 8692437
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating electricity by electromagnetic induction, using a magnetic field modulated by the formation, dissipation, and movement of vortices produced by a vortex material such as a type II superconductor. Magnetic field modulation occurs at the microscopic level, facilitating the production of high frequency electric power. Generator inductors are manufactured using microelectronic fabrication, in at least one dimension corresponding to the spacing of vortices. The vortex material fabrication method establishes the alignment of vortices and generator coils, permitting the electromagnetic induction of energy from many vortices into many coils simultaneously as a cumulative output of electricity. A thermoelectric cycle is used to convert heat energy into electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Silicon Turbine Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Adams
  • Patent number: 8692438
    Abstract: A power generation device is disclosed, which includes a plurality of thermomagnetic generator and a flow controller. The thermomagnetic generators can acquire first fluids respectively. The flow controller can control flow rates of the second fluids flowing into the thermomagnetic generators respectively, wherein a fluid temperature of the first fluid is different from a fluid temperature of the second fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Chung-Jung Kuo, Tze-Chern Mao, Sheng-Fan Hsieh, Min-Tsz Lin
  • Patent number: 8692439
    Abstract: A surface acoustic wave resonator has a quartz crystal substrate having Euler angles of (?=0°, 110°???150°, 88°???92°) and an IDT having a plurality of electrode fingers disposed on the quartz crystal substrate, and using a surface acoustic wave as an excitation wave, a plurality of grooves arranged in a propagation direction of the surface acoustic wave to form stripes is disposed on the quartz crystal substrate, and the electrode fingers are disposed one of between the grooves and inside the grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Owaki, Kunihito Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 8692440
    Abstract: A manufacturing method, which realizes general versatility of an external connection terminal by reducing deterioration of characteristics and a decrease in yield rate of a piezoelectric device in an external connection terminal forming process, and a piezoelectric device manufactured by this method are provided. Before a piezoelectric device is sealed together with a ceiling layer to form a package, an electrode structure serving as an external connection terminal is provided beforehand on a substrate mounted with a key area of the device, and after formation of the key area of the device, the piezoelectric device is sealed and packaged together with the ceiling layer. The piezoelectric device of the present invention can accommodate a three-dimensional structure by providing a rewiring layer on a principal surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshimasa Tsuda
  • Patent number: 8692441
    Abstract: A method is provided for forming a piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer apparatus having a first electrode deposited on a dielectric layer disposed on a primary substrate. A piezoelectric material is deposited between the first electrode and a second electrode, to form a transducer device. At least the piezoelectric material is patterned such that a portion of the first electrode extends laterally outward therefrom. The primary substrate and the dielectric layer are etched to form a first via extending to the laterally outward portion of the first electrode, and a first conductive material is deposited to substantially fill the first via and form an electrically-conductive engagement with the laterally outward portion of the first electrode. The primary substrate is etched to define a second via extending therethrough, wherein the second via is laterally spaced apart from the first via. An associated method and apparatus are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Research Triangle Institute
    Inventors: David Dausch, Scott H. Goodwin
  • Patent number: 8692442
    Abstract: The invention provides a transducer comprising conductors and a laminate. The laminate comprises a film of a dielectric polymer material arranged between first and second electrodes. Each electrode is in electrically conductive communication with at least one of the conductors to facilitate an electrical potential between the electrodes and thereby enable deflection of the polymer material in response to an electrical field. At least one of the conductors is an elastically deformable conductor comprising a compliant core which is electrically conductive. The core is enclosed in a containment having elastomeric properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Danfoss Polypower A/S
    Inventors: Alan David Poole, Jakob Oubaek
  • Patent number: 8692443
    Abstract: An electrical component comprises a lead-based perovskite crystal material layer between a lower electrode on the surface of a substrate and an upper electrode, characterized in that the lower electrode comprises a stabilizing first layer made of a first material and a seeding second layer made of a second material, the first and second materials having the same chemical composition but different structural parameters and/or densities. A process for fabricating a component is also provided, in which the material with a perovskite structure may be PZT with a (100) or (111) orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Matthieu Cueff, Emmanuel Defay, Gwenael Le Rhun
  • Patent number: 8692444
    Abstract: A lighting fixture utilizing LED light sources for illumination of commercial, outdoor and other large area applications incorporates efficient heat dissipation and improved convective air flow. An integrated heat transfer assembly is disclosed that is configured to enhance heat dissipation by providing an efficient thermal conductive pathway for radiation of heat to an external environment. The lighting fixture body is configured with a lens body and heat sink having a chimney tube with internally facing finned heat sink arrangement for providing enhanced convective air flow through the light fixture body. When the heat sink transfers heat from the LED light sources during operation so as to create heated air surrounding the heat sink, ambient air is drawn through the chimney and the heated air is exhausted through air gaps so as to create a conductive air current with the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Infinilux, LLC
    Inventors: Jitendra Patel, Anthony W. Vilgiate
  • Patent number: 8692445
    Abstract: Provided are an electrical conductor and a production method therefor; the electrical conductor comprising a transparent substrate and an electro-conductive pattern provided on at least one surface of the transparent substrate, and the electroconductive pattern being of a type such that, for at least 30% of the entire surface area of the transparent substrate, when a straight line is drawn intersecting the electroconductive pattern, the ratio of the standard deviation to the mean value of the distances between adjacent points of intersection between the straight line and the electroconductive pattern (the distance distribution ratio) is at least 2%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-Wook Lee, In-Seok Hwang, Sang-Ki Chun, Ji-Young Hwang, Hyeon Choi, Young-Jun Hong, Su-Jin Kim, Ki-Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 8692446
    Abstract: A light extraction film having nanoparticles with engineered periodic structures. The light extraction film includes a substantially transparent substrate, low index one-dimensional or two-dimensional periodic structures on the substrate, and a high index planarizing backfill layer applied over the periodic structures. Light scattering nanoparticles are either applied in a layer over the periodic structures or included in the backfill layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jun-Ying Zhang, Encai Hao, Vivian W. Jones, Terry L. Smith, Sergey A. Lamansky, Ha T. Le, Dawn Qiu, William B. Kolb, James M. Battiato, David B. Stegall
  • Patent number: 8692447
    Abstract: A spark plug comprising: a center electrode extending along an axis; an insulator provided about the outer peripheral surface of the center electrode; a metal shell provided about the outer peripheral surface of the insulator; a noble metal tip provided at the leading end portion of the center electrode; one end of the ground electrode fixed at the leading end of the metal shell, and the other end of the ground electrode forming a gap with the leading end of the noble metal tip; a stopper preventing the noble metal tip from moving relative to the central electrode; a molten portion formed by irradiating laser or electron beam; and a closed space formed between the basal portion of the noble metal tip and the center electrode. The molten portion welds the center electrode and a part of the basal portion of the noble metal tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Nakamura, Hiroaki Nasu
  • Patent number: 8692449
    Abstract: LEDs are considered to be point light sources. Visible light provided by one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) is passed through a light diffuser. The LEDs and diffuser are mounted inside a transparent or light-transmissive non-evacuated envelope and bulb. The light emitted from the bulb appears to originate from a filament used in conventional light bulbs rather than from a point light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Nicholas Jackson