Patents Issued in February 21, 2017
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Patent number: 9577471Abstract: A power system for providing an uninterruptible power supply to an external load has a first motor adapted to be connected to a source of power, a flywheel/generator adapted to supply power to the external load, a standby generator switchably electrically connected to the flywheel/generator, and a second motor drivingly connected to the generator/motor and to the internal combustion engine. The second motor is electrically connected to the power supplied by the flywheel/generator. The first motor is drivingly connected to the flywheel/generator. The flywheel/generator is electrically isolated from the source of power. The standby generator has an internal combustion engine that is driving connected to a generator/motor. The generator/motor is adapted to supply power to the flywheel/generator or the external load upon a change in power supplied by the flywheel/generator or the source of power. The second motor is an AC squirrel cage induction motor.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: POWER GROUP INTERNATIONAL CORPORATIONInventor: Carlos Gottfried
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Patent number: 9577472Abstract: Disclosed herein is a power management apparatus including: a power-demand forecasting section configured to forecast a power demand made by an electric-power demander at a future time; a power measurement section configured to acquire a power consumption of the electric-power demander for the time; a demand control section configured to determine a demand for urging the electric-power demander to adjust the amount of electric power consumed by the electric-power demander on the basis of the power demand forecasted by the power-demand forecasting section and the power consumption acquired by the power measurement section; and a demand issuance section configured to issue the demand determined by the demand control section to the electric-power demander.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2012Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Junko Saito, Taro Tadano, Ryoki Honjo
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Patent number: 9577473Abstract: A plurality of controllers, each coupled to a plurality of outlets, compare values assigned to characteristic parameters or “process variables” against at least one control value on the process variable. The values for the process variables are derived from at least one signal provided to corresponding controllers. At least one of the outlets at each controller is configured to selectively provide an electrical voltage from an input voltage in accordance with the comparison of the process variable values and the control value. Remotely accessible controls may be stored at the controllers which may be retrieved through respective network interfaces at the controllers. A remote processor may use the retrieved controls to remotely specify, such as over a communication network, the control values.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Electronic Systems Protection, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Dawley, Richard J. Billingsley, Andrew Benton
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Patent number: 9577474Abstract: A demodulator is mounted on a wireless power transmitter that conforms to the Qi standard, and demodulates an amplitude modulated signal superimposed on a coil current ICOIL that flows through a primary coil of a transmission antenna, or otherwise on a coil voltage across both ends of the primary coil. Multiple demodulating units are each configured to have respectively different configurations, to operate in parallel, to extract a demodulated component from the coil current ICOIL or otherwise from the coil voltage, and to generate baseband signals as demodulated signals. A signal processing unit employs a baseband signal that is correctly received, from among the multiple baseband signals generated by the multiple demodulating units, based on an error detection result obtained using a checksum.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.Inventors: Masatoshi Watanabe, Manabu Miyata, Tatsuya Iwasaki, Tomoya Morinaga
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Patent number: 9577475Abstract: An electronic device includes: a power receiving section configured to receive electric power transmitted using a magnetic field or an electric field; and a state informing section configured to inform a device state of the electronic device, by using the electric power received by the power receiving section. When an abnormal state is detected as the device state, the state informing section also informs the abnormal state by using the received electric power. A feed unit includes: a power transmission section configured to perform electric power transmission using a magnetic field or an electric field, to a device to be fed; and a control section configured to continue the electric power transmission by the power transmission section, even when an abnormal state in the device to be fed is detected.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2012Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: SONY CORPORATIONInventors: Koichi Akiyoshi, Yoichi Uramoto
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Patent number: 9577476Abstract: Performing power transfer to a plurality of power receiving devices, a power transmission device allocates one of a plurality of channels to perform wireless power transfer to a power receiving device in response to a power transmission request transmitted from the power receiving device designating one or more of the plurality of the channels having different frequencies. In a case where a power transmission request using the first channel is received from a second power receiving device, the device stops power transfer to the first power receiving device using the first channel, starts power transfer to the first power receiving device using a channel other than the first channel and starts power transfer to the second power receiving device using the first channel.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2011Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: THE CHUGOKU ELECTRIC POWER CO., INC.Inventors: Shinya Masaoka, Katsuhiko Mito, Akira Hirano, Norihiro Okubo, Masaki Naito
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Patent number: 9577477Abstract: A resonance device includes a waveguide, a dielectric resonator disposed coaxial with the waveguide, an excitation structure thereof. One end of the waveguide is open and the other is short-circuited. The dielectric resonator has two end surfaces disposed on opposite sides to each other, is insulated from the waveguide in the vicinity of the open end of the waveguide, and is disposed within the waveguide, such that a thickness being a distance between the two end surfaces is constant, regardless of a radial position of the dielectric resonator. In a power transmission apparatus, the two resonance devices are provided. The open end of the waveguide of one resonance device and the open end of the waveguide of the other resonance device are disposed opposite each other. Power, which is input to an excitation structure of one resonance device, is output from an excitation structure of the other resonance device.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: UBE INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Yoshiaki Fujiyama, Nobuhiro Harada
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Patent number: 9577478Abstract: A motor comprises a stator assembly, a rotor assembly having a stator core, and a stator cup adjacent the stator core. The inside surface of the stator cup comprises a plurality of aligned regions and a plurality of pressure regions. Each of the plurality of aligned regions is axially aligned with a corresponding one of a plurality of fastener-engaging regions of the stator cup. Each of the plurality of pressure regions is spaced from each of the plurality of aligned regions. A plurality of fastening portions operatively engages the fastener-engaging regions and operatively engages the stator core in a manner urging the stator core and the stator cup toward one another. Urging of the stator core and the stator cup toward one another by the plurality of fastening portions causes the stator core to exert pressure on the plurality of pressure regions.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.Inventor: Steven W. Post
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Patent number: 9577479Abstract: Disclosed herein is a design for flux switching machines with one or more armature windings which can deliver controlled torque, in either selected direction on start up, without the use of a mechanical position sensor. Flux switching machines without sensors can operate equally well in either direction. The invention discloses design features for such machines which improves the torque profile of the motor with angle. In three phase machines this delivers higher torque and lower ripple torque. In single phase flux switching machines the invention allows the rotor to be placed in a position where maximum torque can be delivered in either direction by selection of either positive or negative armature current. Rotor slotting is introduced to create a path of low permeability across a rotor tooth with minimal impact on the normal torque producing flux paths. Asymmetry of stator slots is used to further create a stable rotor position when energized by predominantly field means or armature means.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2012Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: TECHNELEC LTD.Inventors: Charles Pollock, Helen Pollock
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Patent number: 9577480Abstract: A rotor includes a plurality of salient poles, each of which is formed by a plurality of plate members including steel plates that are stacked together, provided extending in a radial direction and around which a coil is wound. The plurality of salient poles has auxiliary salient poles that protrude from the salient poles between two salient poles that are adjacent to one another. The auxiliary salient poles are formed by only a first plate member that is a portion of plate members that forms the salient poles.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2012Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Eiji Yamada, Ryoji Mizutani, Shintaro Chinen, Kenji Hiramoto, Hideo Nakai
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Patent number: 9577481Abstract: A rotor as disclosed for an electric machine which includes a rotor core having a plurality of rotor sheets stacked in an axial direction, each of the plurality of rotor sheets having a plurality of flux paths made of a material of high permeance, a plurality of flux barriers made of a material of low permeance, a plurality of bridges made of a material of high permeance, each of the plurality of bridges extending across a corresponding flux barrier, and at least one axial magnet located axially adjacent a corresponding bridge and configured to saturate the corresponding bridge, each axial magnet being axially pressed between two elements at least one of which is a bridge corresponding to the axial magnet.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2015Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: ABB Schweiz AGInventor: Jere Kolehmainen
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Patent number: 9577483Abstract: A rotor includes a plurality of magnets, and an annular rotor core having a plurality of magnet insertion holes formed in a circumferential direction, into which the magnets are respectively inserted, in which each of the magnet insertion holes is formed with a protruding portion A on an inner wall surface on an inner diameter side in a radial direction of the rotor, and each of the magnets is formed with a recessed portion that is fitted to the protruding portion A when the magnet is inserted into the magnet insertion holes. With this configuration, fixation of the magnets is facilitated, and generation of chipping and vibration noise due to a movement of the magnets at the time of activation or rotation can be suppressed, thereby enabling to provide the rotor having high quality and high reliability.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2012Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Kazuchika Tsuchida, Masahiro Nigo
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Patent number: 9577484Abstract: A rotary electric machine includes a stator and a rotor. The rotor has at least one permanent magnet arranged in a d-axis magnetic path. The rotor includes a magnetic gap part located between the permanent magnet arranged in the d-axis magnetic path of one pole and an adjacent magnet with a different polarity, such that a d-axis magnetic flux forms a d-axis bypass passing through an area other than the permanent magnet. The d-axis bypass provides a magnetic resistance in a d-axis direction that is set below a magnetic resistance in a q-axis direction that is orthogonal to the d-axis resistance.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2012Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Wisconsin Alumni Research FoundationInventors: Takashi Kato, Robert Lorenz, Natee Limsuwan
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Patent number: 9577485Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a 3-phase 2-pole 2-layer armature winding, housed in 72 slots provided in a laminated iron core, a winding of each phase including six parallel circuits separated into two phase belts. Upper coil pieces of first and fourth parallel circuits are placed at 3rd, 4th, 7th, and 12th positions, and lower coil pieces of the first and fourth parallel circuits are placed at 1st, 6th, 9th, and 10th positions, upper and lower coil pieces of second and fifth parallel circuits are placed at 2nd, 5th, 8th, and 11th positions, and upper coil pieces of third and six parallel circuits are placed at 1st, 6th, 9th, and 10th positions, and lower coil pieces of the third and six parallel circuits are placed at 3rd, 4th, 7th, and 12th positions, from the center of a pole.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2016Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Tadashi Tokumasu, Masafumi Fujita, Takashi Ueda, Mikio Kakiuchi
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Patent number: 9577486Abstract: A conductor retention member for a stator core includes a body formed from a non-electrically conductive material. The body includes a radial outwardly facing edge and a radial inwardly facing edge. A plurality of openings extends between the radial inwardly facing edge and the radial outwardly facing edge formed in the body. The body is configured and disposed to be arranged at an axial end of the stator core with the plurality of openings registering with corresponding ones of a plurality of stator slots.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: REMY TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.Inventors: Bradley D. Chamberlin, Richard Trammell
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Patent number: 9577487Abstract: An electronic cylinder includes a knob; a cylinder core connected with the knob; a motor having a protrusion block; a clutch unit; a coupler including a chamber receiving the clutch unit and a front portion having a front end face with an opening constituted by an injection channel indented inwardly from the end face and extending from a first point of a periphery confining the end face, an recess indented inwardly from a bottom surface of the injection channel and an outflow channel indented inwardly from the end face and extending from a second point of the periphery, the bottom of the recess being formed with a hole permitting extension of an axle for engaging the clutch unit, a preventing block in a depth of the opening such that after assembly, the end face abuts against the motor; and a waterproof filler hermetically filling the recess.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: WFE TECHNOLOGY CORP.Inventor: Jack Lien
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Patent number: 9577488Abstract: Problem To obtain a drive unit integrated rotating electrical machine that makes it easier to connect power circuits and achieves not only excellent vibration resistance but also excellent heat releasing properties. Means for Solution A drive unit integrated rotating electrical machine has a motor, a drive unit driving the motor under control and provided with power switching elements and conductors passing a current to the power switching elements, and a heat sink cooling the drive unit, which are combined into one unit. The drive unit integrated rotating electrical machine is characterized in that: the power switching elements are molded and formed into mold modules in a state in which terminals thereof are exposed; the conductors are insert-molded in a frame in a state in which terminals thereof are exposed; and the exposed terminals of the mold modules are connected to the exposed terminals of the insert-molded conductors and the mold modules are firmly fixed to the heat sink.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2011Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Isao Sonoda, Yoshihito Asao, Mamoru Watanabe, Katsuhiko Omae, Tetsushi Watanabe
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Patent number: 9577489Abstract: An electric motor is provided. The motor is mountable to a machine. The motor includes a rotor rotatable about an axis, a stator, a housing, and a fastener. The housing includes a first endshield and a controller can, with the stator being positioned axially between the endshield and the can. The fastener extends through and interconnects the first endshield, the stator, and the can. The fastener projects axially beyond at least one of the first endshield and the can for connection to the machine.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Nidec Motor CorporationInventors: Michael T. Collins, Prakash B. Shahi, Jeffrey S. Sherman, Joseph A. Vehige
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Patent number: 9577490Abstract: A spindle motor having a turntable is disclosed, the spindle motor including a rotating rotation shaft, a turn table coupled to the rotation shaft to rotate along with the rotation shaft, and formed at a central upper surface with an accommodation groove, and a torque enhancement member coupled to the rotation shaft, and arranged inside the accommodation groove of the turn table to enhance a rotational torque of the turn table by depressing the turn table.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2012Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: HITACHI-LG DATA STORAGE KOREA, INC.Inventor: Hyun Seok Chung
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Patent number: 9577491Abstract: An electric machine includes a housing having an outer surface and an inner surface defining an interior zone. A solenoid mounting section is provided on the housing. The solenoid mounting section includes a shift lever opening that extends from the outer surface through the inner surface. A solenoid tower is mounted to the housing. The solenoid tower extends from a first end detachably coupled to the solenoid mounting section to a second end configured to receive a solenoid. The first end includes an opening that registers with the shift lever opening. At least one of the solenoid mounting section and the solenoid tower includes a seal.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: REMY TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.Inventors: Joo-Mok Jung, Jason Ryan, Michael O'Neill, Matt Zider, Randall Masters
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Patent number: 9577492Abstract: A marine propulsion device, including an engine including a crankshaft, and a power generator including a rotor configured to be rotated by the crankshaft, and a stator arranged to face the rotor, the stator including a first coil group and a second coil group each configured to generate alternating current (AC), the second coil group being configured to generate more electric power than the first coil group. The marine propulsion device further includes a rectifier configured to rectify the AC generated by the first coil group to thereby obtain a first direct current (DC), and to output the first DC to a first battery, a converting device configured to convert the AC generated by the second coil group into a second DC, and a transformation device configured to transform a voltage of the second DC, and to output the voltage-transformed DC to a second battery.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2015Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hideki Furuta, Jun Noguchi
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Patent number: 9577493Abstract: A battery powered tool includes a housing containing a motor assembly. A fan positioned in the housing is rotated by the motor assembly. The fan has a circular ring/body and further has multiple fan blades directly connected to the circular ring body. The circular ring/body defines a concave shaped surface having the fan blades directly connected to the concave shaped surface. A housing cover includes: first and second extending walls; a slot created between the first and second extending walls; and multiple air intake vents all positioned in a lower housing zone separated from an upper housing zone by the slot. An electronics module is positioned in the housing proximate to the housing cover lower housing zone such that air entering the intake vents passes only through the lower housing zone and past the electronics module to cool the electronics module before entering the fan.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Erik Ekstrom, David J. Smith
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Patent number: 9577494Abstract: A motor includes a casing having a cavity, a stator configured to be attached to an inside of the cavity, an elastic cone configured to be attached to a first end of the casing, a rigid cone configured to be attached to a second end of the casing that is opposite to the first end, a non-metallic part configured to be attached to the elastic cone and the rigid cone, and a rotor provided inside the cavity and configured to rotate inside the stator. The casing, the elastic cone, the rigid cone, and the non-metallic part form a hermetic enclosure in which the entire stator is enclosed and the hermetic enclosure is configured to hold a cooling fluid that cools the stator and also to prevent the cooling fluid to reach the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2011Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Nuovo Pignone SPAInventors: Luciano Mei, Massimo Pinzauti
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Patent number: 9577495Abstract: A rotary electric machine including a brush used to supply a field current to a field winding of a rotor, a brush holder holding the brush, a power circuit portion connected to a heat sink having fins, and a case covering the power circuit portion and the brush holder. An air passage is provided between the brush holder and the fins of the heat sink, and an opening is provided to the case so as to cover component members of the brush holder in a shape conforming to an outer peripheral portion of the brush holder, from which cooling air is allowed to pass through the air passage.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2011Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Tatsuya Fukase, Masahiko Fujita, Dai Nakajima, Hitoshi Isoda, Naohide Maeda
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Patent number: 9577496Abstract: A rotor includes a first rotor core, a second rotor core, a field magnet, and a detected portion. The first rotor core includes a first core base and a plurality of first claw-shaped magnetic pole portions. The second rotor core includes a second core base and a plurality of second claw-shaped magnetic pole portions. The first and second core bases face to each other, and the first and second claw-shaped magnetic pole portions are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction. The field magnet is located between the first and second core bases in the axial direction. The field magnet has the first claw-shaped magnetic pole portion function as a first magnetic pole and has the second claw-shaped magnetic pole portion function as a second magnetic pole. A detected portion, which generates a magnetic flux, is arranged at an outer axial end surface of the first rotor core.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: ASMO CO., LTD.Inventors: Shigemasa Kato, Yoji Yamada, Koji Mikami, Seiya Yokoyama
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Patent number: 9577497Abstract: A rotating electric machine has a semiconductor magnetic sensor and a cylindrical housing with a cylinder part, which is made of a soft magnetic material, positioned closer to the semiconductor magnetic sensor relative to a back yoke of a stator core. The semiconductor magnetic sensor is positioned away from the cylindrical housing so that a shortest distance between a center of the semiconductor magnetic sensor and the cylindrical housing is equal to or greater than 50 times of a sum of a first space distance and a second space distance. With such an arrangement, a leak magnetic field generated by magnetic poles that leaks in an axial direction is prevented from disturbing the semiconductor magnetic sensor. Thus, a rotation position detection accuracy of the semiconductor magnetic sensor is improved.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Makoto Taniguchi
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Patent number: 9577498Abstract: Provided is a stator for a rotary electric machine, capable of reducing a space on an end surface of a stator core on an inner diameter side to reduce a size in an axial direction to realize a compact size by maintaining an insulating distance corresponding to a potential difference. In the stator for a rotary electric machine according to the present invention, a coil portion includes a coil main-body portion (21) and a second connecting wire (23). The second connecting wire (23) includes a first bent portion (24) and a second connecting-wire end portion (23A). The second connecting wire (23) is configured so that a differential value of a length z in the axial direction of the stator to a length r in the radial direction of the stator is ?z/?r?0.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Hitoshi Isoda, Masashi Nakamura, Shinji Nishimura
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Patent number: 9577499Abstract: An apparatus including a rotating member, a resolver and a mounting structure. The resolver includes a resolver stator and a resolver rotor fixedly mounted on the rotating member via a mounting structure. The mounting structure has a low magnetic relative permeability and isolates the resolver rotor from the rotating member by preventing direct contact between the rotating member and the resolver rotor. The disclosed apparatus may be an electric machine having a rotor fixed to the rotating member and be suitable for use in a hybrid vehicle. The mounting structure advantageously has a relative permeability of no greater than about 2 and may be formed out of stainless steel material. The rotating member may be a rotor hub formed out of steel material having a relative permeability of at least about 50.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Remy Technologies, LLCInventors: David Fulton, Arlen Phillip Suter, George Pelton, Jim Shaw
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Patent number: 9577500Abstract: A rotary magnetic motor having a rotor configured to magnetically interact with a stator to obtain rotation of the rotor about its axis. The stator has a magnetic structure of a generally involute shape around the axis of rotation. The stator magnetic structure has a plurality of permanent magnets defining a first magnetic face of a first polarity. The rotor has a magnetic structure of a generally circular shape around the axis and inside the stator magnetic structure. The rotor has a plurality of permanent magnets defining a second magnetic face of a second polarity. The magnetic attraction and repulsing of the aligned magnetic faces with a progressively narrowing radial gap, resulting from the involute shape, rotate the rotor inside the stator. A magnetic pulse mechanism discharges a magnetic pulse of the first polarity to provide an additional pull to continue the rotation of the rotor through its full cycle.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2012Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Inventor: Arnold Jones
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Patent number: 9577501Abstract: A rotor for a rotary electric machine, the rotor including first and second pole pieces each having a respective magnetic hub arranged for rotation about an axis along which they are spaced. Pluralities of magnetic first and second pole fingers are spaced from each other and extend between the hubs. Each pole finger has a proximal end connected to its respective hub, and an axially opposite distal end. The first and second pole fingers circumferentially alternate about the axis, and each pole finger has a respective radially inner surface defining a cavity that extends axially from the distal end to a cavity terminus. Relative to each pole finger, at a respective axial position between the distal end and the cavity terminus the radial distance between the axis and the radially inner surface is substantially greater inside of the cavity than outside of the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Remy Technologies, LLCInventor: Michael D. Bradfield
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Patent number: 9577502Abstract: A transverse flux motor (10) includes a housing (20), a stator (50), and a rotor (30) external to the stator (50) and installed onto the housing. The stator (50) includes a stator sub-assembly including at least one pair of stator core elements (52), each having multiple stator pole teeth (56) circumferentially offset from pole teeth of the other stator core element in the pair. The rotor (30) includes a rotor body (32) made of a single piece part or multiple rotor body laminas (36). The rotor body (32) includes multiple magnetic flux retention features (40) for positioning first magnets (34). Two adjacent magnetic flux retention features (48) define a second magnet retention feature (47) for positioning a second magnet (45) that form a substantially U-shape together with two neighboring first magnets with the same magnetic poles facing each other.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: JOHNSON ELECTRIC S.A.Inventors: Yue Li, Jinyun Gan, Chuiyou Zhou, Yanfei Liao, Xiaomei Yuan
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Patent number: 9577503Abstract: Rotors with trapped-field magnet (TFM) bulks, machines with TFM rotors, and methods of activating and/or using machines with TFM rotors.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2011Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignees: The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System, TECO-Westinghouse Motor CompanyInventors: Kent Davey, Xueqing Feng, Jim Weldon, Michael D. Werst, Robert Hebner
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Patent number: 9577504Abstract: Provided is a cryogen supply and return apparatus and a superconducting rotating electric machine, comprising stationary and rotatable members arranged out of contact with each other, preventing an increase of maintenance cost or a temperature increase of the cryogen which would be caused by contacts of the members. A cylinder 20 has on its outer peripheral surface ring-like recesses or grooves regularly or irregularly spaced in the longitudinal direction or spiral recesses or grooves continuously or discontinuously extending in the peripheral direction, to resist helium gas flowing through a cylindrical space between the cylinder 20 and the inner tube 14b of the second double tube member and, as a result, to control a leakage of the helium gas from the cylindrical space.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2010Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Katsuya Umemoto, Kiyoshi Aizawa, Minoru Yokoyama, Satoru Takao, Kagao Okumura, Mitsugi Yamaguchi, Yoshitsugu Gocho, Eiji Kosuge
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Patent number: 9577505Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a switching converter are disclosed. The switching converter includes a high-side transistor coupled between a voltage input and a switching node and a low-side transistor coupled between the switching node and ground. The switching converter also includes a high-side driver coupled to drive a gate of the high-side transistor, a charge pump coupled to the high-side driver, and a bootstrap circuit, which includes a pass transistor coupled between the charge pump and the switching node, and a pull-down transistor coupled between the charge pump and ground.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2015Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Feng-Yu Wu, Tsai-Fu Hung
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Patent number: 9577506Abstract: A high-side circuit, adapted for a switched-mode converter, includes a level shifter, a high-side driver, a high-side transistor, a capacitor, and an active diode. The level shifter receives a first signal to generate a set signal. The high-side driver is supplied by a bootstrap voltage of a bootstrap node and a floating reference voltage of a floating reference node, which controls the high-side transistor to provide an input voltage to the floating reference node according to the set signal. The capacitor is coupled between the bootstrap node and the floating reference node. The active diode provides a supply voltage to the bootstrap node. When the bootstrap voltage exceeds the supply voltage, the active diode isolates the supply voltage from the bootstrap node according to a control voltage. The active diode includes a first-type well coupled to the bootstrap node, where the high-side driver is disposed.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2015Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Vanguard International Semiconductor CorporationInventors: Yu-Lung Chin, Shin-Cheng Lin, Wen-Hsin Lin, Yu-Hao Ho
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Patent number: 9577507Abstract: Disclosed is an inverter assembly without galvanic isolation, the inverter assembly including a PCB mounted with a power supply circuit unit, an inverter unit, an analogue circuit unit and a controller, a first ground circuit pattern to supply a ground power to the power supply circuit unit and the inverter unit, a second ground circuit pattern to supply the ground power to the analogue circuit unit, a third ground circuit pattern to supply the ground power to the controller, a first bead between the first ground circuit pattern and the second ground circuit pattern to isolate an impedance between the first ground circuit pattern and the second ground circuit pattern, and a second bead between the second ground circuit pattern and the third ground circuit pattern to isolate an impedance between the second ground circuit pattern and the third ground circuit pattern.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2015Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.Inventors: Deokyoung Lim, Chun Suk Yang
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Patent number: 9577508Abstract: Power-supply ripple rejection (PSRR) at high frequencies is improved for an LDO voltage regulator with an NMOS pass transistor (MN1). A ripple voltage (Vripple) present on the input voltage causes a ripple current (Iripple) through parasitic gate-drain capacitance of the pass transistor. A small ripple current (Ifraction) proportional to the ripple current (Iripple) is generated and amplified to generate a cancellation current (Icancel). The cancellation current is drawn from the gate of NMOS pass transistor (MN1) to cancel the ripple current so that no net ripple current flows through the finite output impedance of an error amplifier (2), to thereby achieve the PSRR improvement.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventor: Jianbao Wang
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Patent number: 9577509Abstract: An apparatus comprises a switching circuit, an error amplifier circuit, a current threshold circuit, and an over-current detection circuit. The switching circuit provides a switching duty cycle that includes a charge portion and a discharge portion. The error amplifier circuit generates an error signal representative of a difference between a target voltage value and a voltage at an output of the voltage regulator circuit. The switching circuit adjusts the switching duty cycle to regulate the voltage at the output using the error signal and a reference waveform signal. The current threshold circuit generates an adaptive peak current limit threshold. The over-current detection circuit generates an over-current signal when the reference waveform signal satisfies the adaptive peak current limit threshold during the charging portion of the switching cycle. The switching circuit interrupts one or more switching cycles when the reference waveform signal satisfies the adaptive peak current limit threshold.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Analog Devices GlobalInventors: Basa Wang, Zhijie Zhu
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Patent number: 9577510Abstract: An inverter device includes an inverter circuit, which has switching elements in a bridge connection, a capacitor, which is connected in parallel to the input side of the inverter circuit, a control device, which controls the inverter circuit, a temperature detector, which detects the temperature of the capacitor, a degree-of-deterioration determiner, which determines the degree of deterioration of the capacitor, and a warm-up controller. When the temperature of the capacitor detected by the temperature detector is lower than a prescribed temperature, the warm-up controller controls the switching elements of the inverter circuit to supply a direct current set based on the degree of deterioration and the temperature of the capacitor to the coil of an electric motor connected to the output side of the inverter circuit.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKIInventors: Tomohiro Yamagami, Toshiaki Nagase, Naohito Kanie, Tomohiro Ohba
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Patent number: 9577511Abstract: A second control circuit is configured to switch a pulse signal to a level which turns off a second switching transistor when a coil current that flows through a primary winding reaches a predetermined threshold current. The second control circuit is configured to start a switching operation when a power supply for an electronic device is turned on, to set the threshold current to a first value when an intermediate voltage is higher than a predetermined level, and to set the threshold current to a second value that is lower than the first value when the intermediate voltage is lower than a predetermined level. A first control circuit is configured to start a switching operation upon receiving an instruction from a microcontroller to start operating.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: ROHM CO., LTDInventors: Satoru Nate, Hiroshi Hayashi
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Patent number: 9577512Abstract: Disclosed are a current zero-cross detection device, zero-cross current signal acquisition circuit and totem pole bridgeless circuit system. The current zero-cross detection device includes a current transformer, first sampling switch, second sampling switch, sampling resister, comparator. The current transformer includes a primary winding and a secondary winding; the primary winding is connected to a circuit to be detected; two ends of the secondary winding are connected respectively to drain electrodes of the first and second sampling switches; source electrodes of first and second sampling switches are connected to ground; two ends of the sampling resistor are connected respectively to the drain electrode and source electrode of the second sampling switch; the negative input end of the comparator is connected to the drain electrode of the second sampling switch, its positive input end is connected to a reference voltage; the first and second sampling switches are in ON or OFF state.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: ZTE CorporationInventors: Jing Wang, Junming Zhang, Jie Fan, Jianping Zhou
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Patent number: 9577513Abstract: A method for operating a power factor correction circuit is provided which may include the steps of providing a plurality of N switched-mode converter circuits each comprising an nth inductor, where N is at least 2, starting a switching pulse for the nth switched-mode converter circuit when the following conditions are fulfilled: the nth inductor of the nth switched-mode converter circuit has a predefined magnetization state; and a predefined time period has elapsed since the start of a switching pulse for an mth switched-mode converter circuit, where m=n?1 in case n>1 and m=N in case n=1. The predefined time period is a predefined fraction of the time period from the start of a previous switching pulse for the nth switched-mode converter circuit to a time when the nth inductor of the nth switched-mode converter circuit has the predefined magnetization state.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AGInventors: Martin Feldtkeller, Martin Krueger
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Patent number: 9577514Abstract: A peak sample circuit for AC voltage, including: a rectifier coupled to receive an AC voltage and to rectify the AC voltage to generate a rectified signal; a delay circuit coupled to receive the rectified signal and to delay the rectified signal to generate a delayed rectified signal; a comparison circuit coupled to receive the delayed rectified signal and to generate a square signal based on the comparison of the rectified signal and the delayed rectified signal; and a sample output circuit coupled to receive the rectified signal, wherein the sample output circuit samples the rectified signal under the control of the square signal and provides a peak sample signal representative of the peak value of the AC voltage.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: CHENGDU MONOLITHIC POWER SYSTEMS CO., LTD.Inventors: Siran Wang, Yike Li, Kun Yi, Yuancheng Ren, Junming Zhang, En Li
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Patent number: 9577515Abstract: A controller for generating jitters in a quasi resonant mode includes a feedback pin, a voltage generation unit, a pulse generator, and a comparator. The feedback pin is used for receiving a feedback voltage from a secondary side of a power converter. The voltage generation unit is used for generating a first voltage according to the feedback voltage and a pulse. The pulse generator is used for generating the pulse when a control signal controlling a power switch of a primary side of the power converter is enabled. The comparator is used for controlling enabling and disabling of a switching signal according to the first voltage and a variable reference voltage. The variable reference voltage is monotonously swung within a predetermined range according to a digital signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Leadtrend Technology Corp.Inventors: Yi-Lun Shen, Yu-Yun Huang
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Patent number: 9577516Abstract: A radio-frequency (RF) generator is provided that produces a controlled overshoot. One embodiment includes a RF power amplifier and a direct-current (DC) power supply that includes a primary DC power supply, an auxiliary DC power supply, a half-bridge circuit, and a control circuit. The half-bridge circuit, in a first switching state, electrically connects, in series, the auxiliary DC power supply with the primary DC power supply and, in a second switching state, electrically disconnects the auxiliary DC power supply from the primary DC power supply. The control circuit places the half-bridge circuit in the first switching state for a first period of time and places the half-bridge circuit in the second switching state for a second period of time to produce a controlled overshoot in the power produced by the RF generator throughout the first period of time.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2016Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.Inventor: Gideon Van Zyl
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Patent number: 9577517Abstract: A DCDC converter includes a transconductance amplifier, a comparator, a current driving component, an output impedance, a switch, a clamp resistor and a p-channel FET. The transconductance amplifier outputs a transconductance current and a switch control signal. The comparator has a two n-channel FET inputs forming a differential pair and outputs a compared signal. The current driving component generates an output current based on the compared signal. The output impedance component generates an output DC voltage based on the output current. The switch is between the two n-channel FETs and can open and close based on the switch control signal. The clamp resistor is arranged in series with the switch. The p-channel FET is in series with the clamp resistor and is controlled by the output DC voltage.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbHInventors: Gerhard Thiele, Erich Bayer
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Patent number: 9577518Abstract: The present invention discloses a voltage control method. First, the load voltage of the load is divided to generate a feedback voltage. Then, an absolute value of a periodic triangular wave signal is retrieved to generate a positive feedback signal, which and the feedback voltage are then combined to produce a sum signal. The sum signal is then compared with a target voltage and when the sum signal is less than the target voltage, a control signal is generated and thus the load voltage is updated and stabilized using an input voltage. In an alternative method, the feedback voltage and the periodic triangular wave signal are combined to generate a sum signal, which is compared with the target voltage. When sum signal is less than the target voltage, a control signal is generated and thus the load voltage is for updated and stabilized using an input voltage.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Alpha & Omega Semiconductor (Cayman), Ltd.Inventors: Kong Soon Ng, Wei-Chi Huang, Jean-Shin Wu
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Patent number: 9577519Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for feedback circuitry in a power converter, the feedback circuitry including a first resistor coupled to a first node between a high switch and a low switch, a first capacitor in series with the first resistor, the first capacitor coupled to a second node, a first comparator having a positive terminal connected between the first resistor and the first capacitor and a negative terminal connected to a third node, the first comparator configured to compare a voltage at the positive terminal to a voltage at the negative terminal, wherein the feedback circuitry is configured to generate a ramp waveform at the positive terminal of the first comparator, an amplitude of the ramp waveform based on a time constant of the first resistor and the first capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2015Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor CorporationInventor: Edward P. Coleman
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Patent number: 9577520Abstract: A power converter with bootstrap circuit, the power converter has a high side switch, a low side switch, a bootstrap circuit and a bootstrap capacitor for providing a bootstrap voltage to supply a high side driver of the high side switch. The power converter receives an input voltage and provides an output voltage based on driving the high side switch and the low side switch to switch on and off. The bootstrap circuit has a first comparing circuit, a first comparing circuit, a boost circuit and a second charging circuit. The second charging circuit charges the bootstrap capacitor when a voltage difference between the input voltage and the output voltage is smaller than a voltage threshold.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2015Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: CHENGDU MONOLITHIC POWER SYSTEMS CO., LTD.Inventors: Liping Xiu, Yike Li
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Patent number: 9577521Abstract: A circuit for controlling a switch in a power converter in which peak current is regulated to achieve a specified average current through a load. Control logic is operable to monitor a voltage across a sensing resistor such that when the voltage across the sensing resistor reaches or exceeds a threshold value, the control logic generates a signal that causes a switch to be turned OFF.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2015Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Atmel CorporationInventors: Charles Cai, Wai-Keung Peter Cheng