Patents Issued in March 8, 2016
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Patent number: 9281648Abstract: A brush block for a slip ring assembly consists of a spring wire that is mechanically supported by two bores of a printed circuit board and continues into two contact springs. Furthermore, the spring wire comprises a solder joint for electrically contacting the printed circuit board. The solder joint is mechanically decoupled from the contact springs by means of two cranks of the spring wire.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2014Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: SCHLEIFRING UND APPARATEBAU GMBHInventor: Peter Pollner
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Patent number: 9281649Abstract: Embodiments of an air-cooled gas laser with a heat transfer assembly are disclosed herein. A laser configured in accordance with one embodiment includes a laser superstructure and a laser superstructure having an opening and a cavity accessible through the opening, and an electrode assembly. The electrode assembly is configured to be received into the cavity, and includes a frame and an electrode biasedly coupled to the frame and electrically insulated therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2015Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Universal Laser Systems, Inc.Inventors: Yefim P. Sukhman, Stefano J. Noto, Christian J. Risser, Mikhail E. Ryskin, Jonathan S. Marx, Robert A. Hoeffer, III
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Patent number: 9281650Abstract: Various embodiments include large cores fibers that can propagate few modes or a single mode while introducing loss to higher order modes. Some of these fibers are holey fibers that comprise cladding features such as air-holes. Additional embodiments described herein include holey rods. The rods and fibers may be used in many optical systems including optical amplification systems, lasers, short pulse generators, Q-switched lasers, etc. and may be used for example for micromachining.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2014Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: IMRA America, Inc.Inventors: Liang Dong, William Wong, Martin E. Fermann
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Patent number: 9281651Abstract: The resonator includes a lasing medium having a thickness, a first mirror disposed at a first end of the lasing medium and a second mirror disposed at a second end of the lasing medium. The first and second mirror cooperate to fold an intra-cavity laser beam along a plurality of paths through the lasing medium, thereby defining a boundary of a superfluous region within the resonator, wherein the intra-cavity laser beam does not pass through the superfluous region. The first mirror and the second mirror form a laser resonator for a parasitic laser mode, a portion of which is located within the superfluous region. A parasitic mode suppressor is located within the superfluous region of the resonator.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2014Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: GSI Group CorporationInventors: Linh K. Nguyen, Jason W. Bethel, Giang B. Nguyen, Melvin J. Lima
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Patent number: 9281652Abstract: A laser system includes a laser resonator having a laser resonator volume and a gain block disposed therein, the gain block being configured to emit light at a predetermined laser wavelength, and an OPO unstable resonator having an OPO unstable resonator volume, the OPO unstable resonator optically coupled to the laser resonator and configured to receive light therefrom, wherein a portion of the OPO unstable resonator volume is situated with respect to the laser resonator volume so as to form an overlapping volume.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2012Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: nLIGHT Photonics CorporationInventors: C. Geoffrey Fanning, David R. Balsley
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Patent number: 9281653Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for shutting down a laser system in an intelligent and flexible manner. An intelligent laser interlock system includes both hardwired components, and intelligent components configured to execute computing instructions. The hardwired components and the intelligent components are configured to shutdown the laser system to one or more alternative shutdown states in response to one or more interlock signals.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2012Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Coherent, Inc.Inventors: Andrew D. Stadler, David Goldman, Mark Farley, Michael Mielke
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Patent number: 9281654Abstract: A Raman amplifier using semiconductor lasers of Fabry-Perot, DFB, or DBR type or MOPAs, to output pumping lights having different central wavelengths, an interval between adjacent central wavelengths greater than 6 nm and smaller than 35 nm. An optical repeater is adapted to compensate loss in an optical fiber transmission line by the Raman amplifier. A Raman amplification method wherein the shorter the central wavelength of the pumping light, the higher light power of the pumping light. In the Raman amplifier, a certain pumping 1 wavelength being a first channel, and second to n-th channels are arranged with an interval of about 1 THz toward a longer wavelength side, pumping lights having wavelengths corresponding to the first to n-th channels are multiplexed, and pumping light having a wavelength spaced apart from the n-th channel by 2 THz or more toward the longer wavelength side is combined with the multiplexed light, thereby forming the pumping light source.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventors: Youichi Akasaka, Yoshihiro Emori, Shu Namiki
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Patent number: 9281655Abstract: An optical transmission link pumped with multiple orders Raman pumps on both ends of the link is disclosed. At least one first-order Raman pump and at least two higher-order Raman pumps are provided on each end for reducing optical power variation of the optical signal along the optical transmission link. Wavelengths and optical power levels of the multiple-order Raman pumps and the additional Raman pump(s) can be selected by computer simulation to lessen the spatial optical power variation of the optical signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2014Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Lumentum Operations LLCInventors: Maxim Bolshtyansky, Gregory Cowle
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Patent number: 9281656Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the bar laser (1) has a semiconductor layer sequence (2) with an active zone (20). A waveguide (3) with a defined width (B) is formed as an elevation from the semiconductor layer sequence (2). A contact metallization (4) is applied to an upper side (30) of the waveguide (3) facing away from the active zone (20). A current flow layer (5) is in direct contact with the contact metallization (4). The contact metallization (4) is electrically connected via the current flow layer (5). A current flow width (C) of the active zone (20) and/or the waveguide (3) is less than the width (B) of the waveguide (3).Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: OSRAM OPTO SEMICONDUCTORS GMBHInventors: Jens Mueller, Adrian Stefan Avramescu
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Patent number: 9281657Abstract: An apparatus for output light with a wavelength tunable function, includes: a semiconductor laser diode (LD) including regions to determine an oscillation wavelength, the regions providing respective diffraction gratings and electrodes to control refractive index of the regions; a temperature controller for mounting the LD thereon to control a temperature of the LD; and a controller configured to vary the refractive index of the regions by providing control signals to the electrodes and another control signal to the temperature controller for varying the temperature of the LD to coincide the oscillation wavelength with a target wavelength.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2014Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Device Innovations, Inc.Inventor: Hirokazu Tanaka
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Patent number: 9281658Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for controlling laser beams for a plurality of collocated laser assemblies. The laser beams are optimized by controlling outputs of a primary power source (current for generating a laser beam) and a secondary power source (heating device) for each of the respective laser assemblies. The states of the power supply may be cycled and modulated to provide optimal performance.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2014Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety, Inc.Inventors: Derek Treese, Benjamin Ver Steeg, Len Cech
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Patent number: 9281659Abstract: A method and apparatus provide for determining a temperature at a junction of a laser diode when the laser diode is operated in a lasing state that facilitates heat-assisted magnetic recording, comparing the junction temperature and an injection current supplied during the lasing state to stored combinations of junction temperature and injection current, and determining a likelihood of mode hopping occurring for the laser diode during the lasing state based on the comparison to stored combinations of junction temperature and injection current.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2014Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLCInventors: Karim Tatah, Mourad Benakli, James Gary Wessel
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Patent number: 9281660Abstract: The present invention provides a surface emitting laser that provides a sufficient optical output and is suitable as a light source intended for electrophotographic apparatuses, and a surface-emitting-laser array and an image forming apparatus each including the surface emitting laser. The surface emitting laser includes a first stepped structure on a front surface of a front mirror. In the first stepped structure, a difference L between an optical path length in a first area and an optical path length in a second area satisfies the following expression: (¼+N)?<|L|<(¾+N)? where N is an integer.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2014Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Mitsuhiro Ikuta
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Patent number: 9281661Abstract: A Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) is horizontally integrated with a VCSEL. The horizontally-integrated MZM overcomes wavelength dependence problems of horizontally-integrated EA modulators and yet has the same advantages as horizontally-integrated EA modulators in terms of overcoming the ER and modulation range problems associated with the vertically-integrated EA and EO modulators. By overcoming these problems with the existing integrated modulators, the operation speed of the VCSEL is increased and the modulation signal range is extended to allow a wider range of modulation signals and modulation schemes, including large-signal digital modulation schemes.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2014Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.Inventor: Chung-Yi Su
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Patent number: 9281662Abstract: A spark plug including an insulator having an axial hole, a center electrode held at one end side and a terminal electrode held at the other end side of the axial hole, an electrical connection portion electrically connecting the center electrode and the terminal electrode inside the axial hole, wherein the electrical connection portion includes a conductor including a ceramic phase and a metal wire having a spiral structure portion, wherein the metal wire has a wire diameter of 0.1 mm or greater and 0.5 mm or smaller, and wherein the spiral structure portion of the metal wire is configured such that an outer diameter thereof is 1.0 mm or greater and 3 mm or smaller, a pitch thereof is 0.3 mm or greater and 1 mm or smaller, and a height thereof is 8 mm or greater and 30 mm or smaller.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2015Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.Inventors: Katsuya Takaoka, Kazuhiro Kurosawa, Kuniharu Tanaka, Haruki Yoshida, Hirokazu Kurono, Toshitaka Honda
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Patent number: 9281663Abstract: An improved general aviation igniter cable assembly includes either a single or double coil spring. The double coil spring has inner and outer portions. The outer portion has first and second ends. The first end rotatably engages the cylindrical recess in the ferrule. The outer portion surrounds the first end of the grommet with the second end bearing against the retainer. The distal end of the inner portion is located within the outer portion and bears against the first end of the grommet to put pressure on the spark plug contact button. For the magneto end of the cable, a sealing grommet fits slidably over an insulating sleeve of the cable and seals against a magneto plate when a surrounding threaded nut is tightened into a collar of the magneto plate and the plate is attached to a magneto, providing an airtight seal to the magneto plate and the magneto.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Inventor: Howard Johnson
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Patent number: 9281664Abstract: An access door adjustable to an opening, comprising a frame adjustable to the width and the height of the opening; and a door panel, the frame comprising side members and corner members; each side member having a section adapted to receive an edge of the opening and comprising a first part adapted to lay flat on an outer surface of the edge of the opening and a second part extending within the opening and comprising engagement positions, the engagement positions being adapted to engage the corner members between a maximum length for each side of the frame by using outermost engagement positions and a minimum length for each side of the frame, depending on the size of the opening, the frame receiving the door panel for closing the opening.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2012Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Les Industries Cendrex Inc.Inventors: Sylvain David, Annie Larouche, Jean Robichaud
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Patent number: 9281665Abstract: A device for mounting a switch or the like on a mounting plate having a front side, a back side as well as a mounting hole. The switch has a housing with a housing upper side and at least one fixing projection insertable into the mounting hole from the back side of the mounting plate. Moreover, both a support to support the fixing projection against the front side of the mounting plate and counter-supporting elements to support the housing upper side against the back side of the mounting plate are provided. The counter-supporting elements are springs.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2012Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Schaltbau GmbHInventor: Heinz Bauer
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Patent number: 9281666Abstract: A system and method for coupling electrical power subsea. The system comprises a subsea electrical distribution system having at least one modular circuit breaker assembly. The modular circuit breaker assembly is controlled by a control system that has a plurality of circuit breaker controls. Each circuit breaker is operable to be controlled by a plurality of circuit breaker controls and each circuit breaker control is operable to control a plurality of circuit breakers. Therefore, control of each circuit breaker is maintained even if one circuit breaker control fails.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2012Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SASInventors: Pierrick Andrea, Stephane Jacques Clement Papoz
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Patent number: 9281667Abstract: A wire feeding pulley A-Frame System is provided for feeding electrical, telephone, communication wires ect into manhole, transformers, switch gears ect., including a frame having four vertical rails one horizontal rail at the top which has four short pieces of square tubing welded to it which the vertical rails sleeve over and are held together by horizontal pins. The bottom of the frame has four horizontal pieces welded into a square that have four short vertical pieces welded on top of them that the vertical rails can sleeve into and be held together by horizontal pins. It has three vertical pieces of square tubing welded to the bottom side of the top horizontal rail that three pulleys can be attached to for wire to be fed through. There is also a square tube that can be attached to the bottom frame that has a smaller square tube inside of it that has a pulley that pins on the end of it, making it a snorkel attachment for feeding into devices with small doorways.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Inventor: Randall Wayne Curts
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Patent number: 9281668Abstract: An insulation stripping assembly for stripping insulation from a conductor. The blade assembly includes a first blade assembly and a second blade assembly. The first blade assembly has a first cutting blade, and the second blade assembly has a second cutting blade. A clenching member is provided on at least one of the first blade assembly and the second blade assembly. The clenching member is spaced from the first cutting blade and the second cutting blade. The first and second cutting blade essentially cut through the insulation and the clenching member engages the insulation to provide increased pulling force to remove the cut insulation from the conductor.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2012Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATIONInventor: Ashok K. Mehan
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Patent number: 9281669Abstract: A cord management system that stores and protects cords in an untangled state while the cord is not in use by the user. In some embodiments, the cord management system may include a stationary clasp, a slidable clasp, and a flexible body member that stretches over a user's cord and subsequently encapsulates the cord for storage upon the cavity's relaxation. The cord management system may provide the user with a quick and convenient, two-handed single motion, means to store and protect their cords and prevents the cord from becoming entangled. The cord management system can be an after-market product and retrofitted to a user's pre-existing cords or can be an integral design of cord. The cord management system resides at the end of the cord in a compressed manner that allows the full functionality of the cord without causing unwanted/unsupported weight on the cord.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Inventor: Rye James Kennedy
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Patent number: 9281670Abstract: A passage restricting member is attached to a corrugated tube. This corrugated tube includes a corrugated tube, a passage maintenance member, and an attachment member. The passage maintenance member is die-molded so as to maintain a shape in which at least a portion is curved in the longitudinal direction, and the transverse cross-section is arc shaped. The passage maintenance member has an opening penetrating to the internal peripheral side and the external peripheral side. The attachment member has an internal peripheral engaging part engaging with an internal peripheral portion of a slit in the corrugated tube, an external peripheral engaging part engaging with an external peripheral portion of the opening in the passage maintenance member, and a connecting part for connecting the internal peripheral engaging part and the external peripheral engaging part while disposed in the slit and the opening.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2012Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.Inventor: Takashi Okuhara
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Patent number: 9281671Abstract: In an example an integral wiring box comprises: a circular base having a base wire access point; a side wall extended from a perimeter edge of the base forming a cavity having an internal surface and an external surface and a side wall wire access point; a base conduit extending from the base wire access point into the cavity; a side wall conduit extending from the side wall wire access point into the cavity; an internal mounting projection extending from the internal surface of the side wall into the cavity and free from attachment to the circular base, the internal mounting projection further comprising a mounting hole; and an external mounting projection extending from the external surface of the side wall away from the base, the external mounting projection further comprising a mounting hole; wherein a single mounting hub extends from the base into the cavity, wherein the base, side wall, internal mounting projection, external mounting projection, and mounting hub, are formed as a single component.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2014Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: SIGMA ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING CORPORATIONInventors: Ashok Alilughatta Sathyanarayana, Pushpak Paris Yabrer, Santosh Ganpat Shinde
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Patent number: 9281672Abstract: A system for providing an electrical interface across a sealed boundary may include a frame in sealed engagement with at least a portion of a substrate. The substrate may be in communication with an electrochromic device. The system may further include first and second conduits. The first conduit may be on a first side of the substrate and a second conduit may be on a second side of the substrate. The second conduit may be in communication with the first conduit through at least one of the seal, a space between the seal and the frame, and a space between the seal and the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2012Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: SAGE ELECTROCHROMICS, INC.Inventors: Mark O. Snyker, Bryan D. Greer
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Patent number: 9281673Abstract: A bus bar assembly includes a deformable bus bar including a bus bar positive terminal flange, a bus bar negative terminal flange spaced-apart from the bus bar positive terminal flange and a flange connecting portion connecting the bus bar positive terminal flange and the bus bar negative terminal flange. A deformable bus bar frame includes a bus bar frame positive terminal flange carried by the bus bar positive terminal flange of the deformable bus bar and a bus bar frame negative terminal flange carried by the bus bar negative terminal flange of the deformable bus bar. A method of installing a deformable bus bar on positive and negative terminals of a battery cell is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2014Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Steve F. Chorian, Debbi Callicoat, David J. Chesney, David Wardzala, Yongcai Wang, Yunan Guo
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Patent number: 9281674Abstract: A busway and a method of assembling the same in which a flowable, uncured epoxy is applied between insulated busbar conductors that are stacked on top of one another and inner surfaces of the busway housing into which the stacked conductors are placed to form an enclosed busway. The busbar conductors are insulated by an epoxy powder coat, which can develop pinholes during the curing of the epoxy powder. A flowable, curable dielectric material, such as epoxy, is applied between the outermost busbar conductors and the inner surfaces of the top and bottom pieces of the busway housing. Optionally, epoxy is also applied between adjacent pairs of busbar conductors, which are stacked and arranged into the housing. Pressure is applied to the housing stack, and the epoxy is allowed to cure, resulting in a busway having superior thermal performance, dielectric integrity, and mechanical strength compared to conventional busways.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2012Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC USA, INC.Inventors: Jacob E. Walgenbach, James Raymond Ramsey, Timothy P. O'Leary, Thomas Patrick McCrocklin
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Patent number: 9281675Abstract: Systems and methods for cable deployment of downhole equipment, wherein the conductors of a power cable bear the load of the downhole equipment and jewelry, as well as the cable itself. The power cable includes a set of elongated conductors, an upper coupling and a lower coupling. The upper support coupling suspends each of the conductors from the support structure and electrically couples the conductors to a power source. The lower coupling suspends the downhole electrical equipment from the conductors and electrically couples the conductors to the downhole equipment. One embodiment uses 7075 T-6 aluminum conductors to provide a length of at least 10,000 feet, a yield stress of at least 50,000 psi and a resistance of less than 0.2 ohm/kf. The aluminum conductors are homogeneous and are non-reactive with hydrogen sulfide, so no lead sheathing is required.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2012Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventor: Don C. Cox
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Patent number: 9281676Abstract: An adjustment device for a cable management arm includes a first support member, a second support member, and a positioning member. The first support member has a plurality of holes. The second support member is movably connected to the first support member and has a through hole. The positioning member is fixed to the second support member and has a positioning portion and a resilient section connected to the positioning portion. When in use, the positioning portion partially extends through the through hole, selectively extends through one of the holes, and then is positioned by a force of the resilient section, such that the extension-length of the second support member relative to the first support member is adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignees: King Slide Works Co., Ltd., King Slide Technology Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ken-Ching Chen, Shun-Ho Yang, Chien-Li Huang, Yao-Tsung Chen, Chun-Chiang Wang
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Patent number: 9281677Abstract: A method for protecting an electrical energy distribution box (BODP) equipped with a supply current distribution bar (BDP) intended to be connected between an electrical energy source (G) and loads (Q1, Q2, Q3 . . . Qn) to be supplied, comprising detecting an electrical fault in the distribution box (BODP). The detection step comprises: —measuring a supply current drawn on said supply current distribution bar (BDP) by the electrical energy source (G), —measuring load currents distributed from the distribution bar to each of the loads (Q1, Q2, Q3 . . . Qn), and continuous processing of said measurements of current in the course of which the supply current and the load currents are compared with load current threshold values so as to detect overloads.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: ECEInventor: Henri Billod
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Patent number: 9281678Abstract: An electrical surge protection device is structured to be installed on an electrical enclosure and to be electrically connected between one or more line conductors and one or more ground or neutral conductors. The electrical surge protection device includes a support that is structured to be installed on the electrical enclosure and a number of varistors or other electrical components that will, in the event of a voltage surge on a line conductor, shunt electrical energy from the voltage surge to the ground or neutral conductor with which it is connected. The electrical surge protection device advantageously further includes a shield apparatus that is structured to restrain an increased ambient pressure and that is electrically conductive and is electrically connected with the ground or neutral conductor.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2014Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: EATON CORPORATIONInventors: Michael Jerome Whipple, David Wayne Stiffler
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Patent number: 9281679Abstract: A load circuit operates by power supplied from a power supply apparatus. A capacitive element is connected in parallel with the load circuit. A switching element is connected between the power supply apparatus and the load circuit in series with the power supply apparatus and the load circuit. A monitor section monitors voltage of the capacitive element and is connected in parallel with the capacitive element. An inrush current control section changes resistance of the switching element on the basis of the voltage monitored by the monitor section in order to control inrush current that flows at the time of an electronic device being plugged into or unplugged from the power supply apparatus. A breaker circuit prevents electric charges stored by the capacitive element from flowing into the monitor section at the time of the electronic device being unplugged from the power supply apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITEDInventor: Takahiro Miyazaki
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Patent number: 9281680Abstract: A power switching circuit includes a power semiconductor element that includes a main switching element connected in parallel with a main body diode and a sense switching element connected in parallel with a sense body diode; a reverse overcurrent detection circuit that detects an overcurrent flowing in the reverse direction out of currents flowing through a parallel-connection body of the sense switching element and the sense body diode; and a control circuit that drives the gate of the power semiconductor element; wherein when the reverse overcurrent detection circuit detects a reverse overcurrent, the control circuit controls the main switching element and the sense switching element to turn on.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventor: Yasushi Nakayama
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Patent number: 9281681Abstract: An electrostatic discharge protection circuit includes a first LC resonator circuit coupled to an input node and disposed in parallel with an internal circuit that is also coupled to the input node, and a second LC resonator circuit coupled in series with the first LC resonator circuit at a first node. The first LC resonator circuit is configured to resonate at a different frequency than a frequency the second LC resonator circuit is configured to resonate.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2012Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Li-Wei Chu, Tzu-Heng Chang, Yu-Ti Su, Jen-Chou Tseng
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Patent number: 9281682Abstract: Circuits, integrated circuits, apparatuses, and methods, such as those for protecting circuits against electrostatic discharge events are disclosed. An example apparatus comprises a thyristor coupled to a node and configured to limit the voltage and discharge the current associated with an over-voltage event at the node. The over-voltage event includes a negative voltage having a magnitude that exceeds a trigger voltage of the thyristor. The example apparatus further comprising a transistor coupled to the thyristor and configured to adjust the magnitude of the trigger voltage.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: James Davis, Michael Chaine
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Patent number: 9281683Abstract: The switched mode power supply and method has respective AC circuit and DC circuit portions, each having their own respective grounds. To each of these respective grounds an attachment point providing an energy pathway to ground is defined. A spark gap structure, coupled between the attachment points, substantially inhibits the flow of direct current between the attachment points while providing a static electricity energy path between the attachment points. The spark gap structures may be implemented by circuit board traces, by electronic circuit component leads, by spaced apart structures such as heat sinks or by other discharging components. In this way the power supply does not need to rely on an earth ground in order to protect against damage due to electrostatic discharge.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2015Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: La-Z-Boy IncorporatedInventor: Tahir Ahmad
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Patent number: 9281684Abstract: An interconnect device is disclosed for detecting whether an vehicle on-board diagnostics (OBD) data port includes a blocking diode or equivalent. that prevents back feeding of power through the OBD data port. If a diode is detected, the interconnect device alerts the user that the power cannot be back fed through the OBD II port connector. In such a condition, an alternate means is used to preserve the data mentioned above. Specifically, an alternative power supply can be connected directly to the battery cables that will be disconnected from the battery, for example, by way of battery clamps. In this way the alternative power supply is used to preserve the data until a new battery is reconnected to the vehicle battery cables. If a diode is not detected by the interconnect device, the interconnect device displays this fact to the user. The interconnect device includes circuitry for detecting and displaying whether a diode is connected in series with a power pin of the OBD II port connector.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Schumacher Electric CorporationInventors: Patrick J. Clarke, John S. Whiting, John B. Borke, Matthew Adam Heins, Samuel I. Weisbard
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Patent number: 9281685Abstract: Circuitry and a method for maximizing power from multiple serially coupled DC power sources. Electrodes provide for serial coupling of multiple DC power sources, capacitive circuitry couples to each one of the electrodes, switching circuitry couples among various ones of the electrodes, and inductive circuitry couples among various others of the electrodes and the switching circuitry.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2014Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Inventor: Andre P. Willis
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Patent number: 9281686Abstract: Aspects of state estimation for cooperative electrical grids are disclosed. State estimation of a local electrical grid can be based on a local grid model and local electrical grid information. The local state estimation can reflect interactions and interconnections with other electrical grids by determining state estimation solution information based on the local grid model, local electrical grid information, and remote state estimator solution information associated with the other electrical grid. As such, a local state estimator can be configured to receive and employ remote state estimator solution information. This can be in addition to the more conventional technique or receiving a remote grid model and remote electrical grid information to estimate the conditions of the remote electrical grid. Further, state estimation solution information can be incremental to further reduce the amount of information to be transferred and the time needed to accomplish transmission of the information.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2012Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: General Electric Technology GmbHInventor: Jay Payne Britton
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Patent number: 9281687Abstract: A system for controlling electrical outlets includes two devices. The first device connects to a switched outlet and sends a signal to the second device when the outlet is turned on or off. The second device mimics the power state of the first device. The first device may include a socket for receiving a sensor module, which may alter the functionality of the device. For example, the device may be controlled by a remote device or it may be motion-activated, depending on the module that is connected.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Inventors: Ryan Allan Holder, Nicholas Anthony Consola
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Patent number: 9281688Abstract: In general, described is an energy management system for controlling multiple input streams of electricity to a local power system. Preferably, input streams are prioritized by computer algorithms for use or output within the local power system. Suitably, high priority streams are directed by the computer software to primary outputs while lesser priority streams are directed to secondary outputs.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Inventor: Bradley Hardin
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Patent number: 9281689Abstract: The subject specification comprises enhanced power system balance control for a multi-tier hierarchical electrical distribution network (EDN). The EDN comprises a specified number of distribution network node controller (DNNC) components employed to desirably control power system balance, data communications, and power distribution between respective tiers of the EDN to facilitate efficient power distribution. In each tier, a power system balance component (PSBC), associated with a DNNC component, can monitor power system balance, such as load phase balance, associated with multi-phase power distribution for its tier, and detect power system imbalances in that tier. A power balance correction action can be identified and executed (e.g., automatically) in response to the detected power system imbalance to rectify the imbalance, wherein the correction action can include dynamic switching of loads between phases and/or filtering of the power signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2011Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: General Electric Technology GmbHInventors: Ethan Clair Boardman, Subrahmanyam Saraswati Venkata
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Patent number: 9281690Abstract: A tactical smart grid system and method includes a plurality of energy generators and a plurality of loads, where the loads require energy from at least some of the energy generators. A plurality of interface units are provided, where each energy generator and load are connected to one of the plurality of interface units. Each of the interface units including a controller to thereby provide distributed intelligence and distributed system control, thereby removing the requirement of a centrally controlled system.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2010Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center IncorporatedInventors: Craig Eldershaw, David G. Duff
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Patent number: 9281691Abstract: A twin power sourcing equipment constituted of: a first power sourcing equipment; and a second power sourcing equipment arranged for connection to a powered device over respective power paths; the first and second power sourcing equipments arranged to: simultaneously perform detection of the powered device; and in the event that at least one of the first and second power sourcing equipments detects the presence of the powered device, alternately perform detection of the powered device to detect a signature impedance; and in the event that each of the alternate detection is indicative of the presence of the signature impedance, provide power to the powered device simultaneously by the first and second power sourcing equipment. Power is not provided to the powered device in the event that the simultaneous detection is indicative of the absence of the powered device on each of the first path and the second path.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Microsemi Corp.—Analog Mixed Signal Group, Ltd.Inventors: Alon Ferentz, Roni Blaut
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Patent number: 9281692Abstract: A power distribution unit, a communication device used with same, and a power distribution system. The power distribution unit comprises a master management module (331), and at least a group of socket management modules (211). The socket management module (211) is used to manage power output. The master management module (331) is connected to each socket management module (211), and is used to monitor a power output state of each socket management module (211) and control a switching state of the power output of each socket management module (211). The master management module (331) comprises an incoming port (431) and an outgoing port (432) for connection to external devices. The power distribution system comprises the power distribution unit and the communication device coordinating with the power distribution unit. The system can implement intelligent remote monitoring on the power distribution unit, and effective monitoring on a surrounding environment of the power distribution unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: TYPHOON HONG KONG LIMITEDInventor: Kin Fai Hui
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Patent number: 9281693Abstract: The system control apparatus for equipment for causing equipment to collaboratively operate includes: equipment profile management means for managing an equipment profile that is metadata representing the electrical properties of the equipment; control scenario management means for managing a control scenario in which is described metadata that states an operation to be fulfilled by the equipment; equipment detection means for detecting control-targeted equipment; electrical status monitoring means for monitoring an electrical status related to transfer of electrical power caused by equipment interconnections; equipment selection means for selecting equipment for use on the basis of the metadata described in the control scenario and the equipment profile; and control execution means for controlling the selected equipment.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2011Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Tohru Watanabe, Yasuko Shiga, Katsumi Kawano, Shigetoshi Sameshima, Yoshiki Kakumoto, Michiki Nakano
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Patent number: 9281694Abstract: A wireless power receiver for receiving power from a wireless power transmitter using resonance according to the embodiment includes a reception resonant coil resonance-coupled with a transmission resonant coil of the wireless power transmitter for receiving the power, a reception induction coil coupled with the reception resonant coil for receiving the power, and a connecting unit, and the reception resonant coil includes at least one conductive line having one end and an opposite end being open with each other, and the connecting unit couples the one end and the opposite end of each conductive line with each other so that the reception resonant coil forms a closed loop.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2012Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.Inventor: Jung Oh Lee
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Patent number: 9281695Abstract: A method of charging a battery pack is provided. The method includes: electronically connecting a battery pack to a charger; detecting information regarding the battery pack; determining an appropriate charging regime based on the detected information; and applying the charging regime to the battery pack. A battery charger may also provided. The battery charger includes: a first terminal for connecting to a battery pack; a second terminal for connecting to a battery pack, a microprocessor operatively connected to the terminals and configured to receive a signal from at least one terminal regarding a battery pack connected to the terminal and control the charger to select and apply a charging regime to the battery pack according to the signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2008Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Nathan J. Cruise, Michelle L. Bowers, Snehal S. Choksi, Regina Gracia C. Cunanan, Geoffrey S. Howard, Alexis W. Johnson, Andrew E. Seman, Danh T. Trinh, Daniel J. White, R. Roby Bailey, Jr.
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Patent number: 9281696Abstract: A current steering circuit for controlling a branch current flowing through a branch is provided. The branch is coupled to a first main switch. The current steering circuit includes a sensing device, a first auxiliary switch and a control unit. The sensing device is coupled to the branch and arranged for sensing the branch current to generate a sensing result. The first auxiliary switch is coupled in parallel with the first main switch. The control unit is coupled to the sensing device and the first auxiliary switch, wherein while the first main switch is turned on, the control unit generates a first switch control signal to the first auxiliary switch, and adjusts a duty cycle of the first switch control signal according to the sensing result in order to adjust the branch current.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2014Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Inventor: Fu-Sheng Tsai
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Patent number: 9281697Abstract: This invention concerns a capacitively coupled cell balancer with a common AC bus. It comprises either a half or full bridge connected to each cell of a set of N cells, which are either floating or connected in series. The midpoints of each half bridge and the full bridges are coupled through coupling capacitors to a common AC bus.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2012Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Balancell (Pty) LtdInventor: Ian Douglas De Vries