Patents Issued in February 21, 2017
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Patent number: 9575104Abstract: In an electrical machine which has unidirectional excitation applied to its windings, the mean values of voltage and current can be computed from the instantaneous phase voltage and current by the use of, for example, low-pass filters (in either the analogue or digital domain). The value of winding resistance can then be calculated by dividing the mean voltage by the mean current. This avoids the cost, fragility and potential inaccuracy of conventional temperature sensors, and provides the controller with an ongoing estimate of winding temperature.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: NIDEC SR DRIVES LTD.Inventor: Michael James Turner
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Patent number: 9575105Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention enable low-power accurate measurement of complex impedance at a range of frequencies of interest to determine a frequency response of a test sample. The system requires only a few external precision components that are not integrated into a microprocessor, thereby, providing a low-cost alternative to existing designs. In certain embodiments, low-power operation is accomplished by utilizing a simplified digital signal processing scheme that requires only a small number of ADC samples. Measurement accuracy is achieved by a digital conversion to baseband that does not suffer from channel matching issues and by utilizing a single analog path.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.Inventors: Kevin James Witt, John Fisher Di Cristina
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Patent number: 9575106Abstract: In one embodiment, a system comprises a circuit arrangement and a module having a first mechanical switch and an electrode. The circuit arrangement has a terminal that is connected to the module, a drive unit that is connected to the terminal and serves to provide a drive signal, a first evaluation unit that is connected to the terminal and serves for key detection, as well as a second evaluation unit that is connected to the first evaluation unit and serves for proximity detection. Therein the drive signal is designed for driving an electrode of a capacitive proximity sensor in the module, the first evaluation unit is designed to provide a touch signal according to an actuation of the module by a person, and the second evaluation unit is designed to provide a proximity signal according to an approach of a person to the module.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2012Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: AMS AGInventor: Jan Enenkel
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Patent number: 9575107Abstract: An electronic arrangement and method for providing a signal characterized by reduced phase noise having a signal source for providing a stimulus signal, a modulator coupled to the signal source for generating a modulated signal as function of the stimulus signal and a local oscillator signal, and a mixer combining the stimulus and modulated signals to generate a mixed signal that includes a component characterized by a mathematical difference of the stimulus signal and the modulated signal. The modulated signal substantially identical to the stimulus signal and being offset by a frequency of the local oscillator signal, so that the difference component of the mixed signal results in a local oscillator signal wherein the stimulus signal phase noise generated by the signal source has been mathematically cancelled.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: MINUS174, LLCInventors: Alan Needham, Dale E. Reiser
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Patent number: 9575108Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for assessing electromagnetic exposure. In one aspect an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes at least a first circuit configured to calculate electromagnetic exposure of at least a portion of at least one human in proximity to a wireless electric vehicle charging system. The portion of the at least one human is modeled by at least one homogeneous phantom model having dielectric properties that are representative of human tissue. The apparatus further includes at least a second circuit configured to scale the calculated electromagnetic exposure to simulate an electromagnetic exposure based on an inhomogeneous anatomical model of the portion of the at least one human.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Lin Lu, Jagadish Nadakuduti, Paul Guckian
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Patent number: 9575109Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for remote coal mine leakage test. The remote leakage test method comprising: installing and connecting a leakage test device (3) at the a control switch (2) located at the most distal end of a coal mine power line (5); a leakage detection and protection device (1) connecting the leakage test device (3) via the coal mine power line (5) and providing it with a detection circuit for detecting whether remote leakage has occurred; generating a grounding current flowing through the coal mine power line (5) by controlling the grounding of the leakage test device (3); the leakage detection and protection device (1) detecting the grounding current, and enabling a leakage protection relay (KA) to operate, so as to cut off the coal mine power line (5); and detecting the coal mine power line (5) or manually observing an indication lamp (HL), so as to determine whether the remote leakage test is successful.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Inventor: Chunping Guo
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Patent number: 9575110Abstract: An insulation detecting device includes a control unit configured to monitor a measurement voltage of a flying capacitor charged through a second path, and in a case where a measurement voltage is about 0 V (zero volt), control a switching of switches, control a charging of the flying capacitor through a third path and a measuring of a charged voltage of the flying capacitor charged through the third path, and measure a first measurement voltage in a first time after the switching to the third path and a second measurement voltage in a second time different from the first time, and a calculating unit configured to calculate a ground fault resistance formed between a direct-current power supply and a ground based on the first measurement voltage and the second measurement voltage.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2015Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATIONInventor: Yoshihiro Kawamura
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Patent number: 9575111Abstract: A system configured for detecting electrical overstress events within an integrated circuit includes a comparator configured to determine whether a monitored voltage level of a monitored signal exceeds an overstress reference voltage level. The overstress reference voltage level is a predetermined amount of voltage above a nominal voltage level for the monitored signal. The system further includes a write circuit coupled to an output of the comparator. The write circuit is configured to indicate an occurrence of an electrical overstress event within the integrated circuit responsive to the comparator determining that the monitored voltage level exceeds the overstress reference voltage level.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: XILINX, INC.Inventors: James Karp, Michael J. Hart, John K. Jennings
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Patent number: 9575112Abstract: A test system includes row decoder, column decoder, row test controller, and test circuit. The row decoder activates one of first through M-th row signals based on plurality of row input signals. The column decoder activates one of first through N-th column signals based on plurality of column input signals. The row test controller outputs first through N-th column output signals, which are activated, when row test enable signal is activated. The row test controller outputs the first through N-th column signals as the first through N-th column output signals respectively when the row test enable signal is deactivated. The test circuit includes first through M-th row test blocks, each of which includes first through N-th test units. The test circuit simultaneously performs short test of the first through N-th test units included in row test block when the row test enable signal is activated.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2015Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: In-Wook Oh, Chin Kim, Sunhom Steve Paak, Jae-Seok Yang
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Patent number: 9575113Abstract: In one example, a method includes determining that an insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) is saturated, and while the IGBT is saturated, determining a collector-emitter saturation voltage (VCESat) of the IGBT.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Michael Mankel, Carlos Castro-Serrato
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Patent number: 9575114Abstract: An aspect of the present invention is to provide a test system for detecting whether a continuity fault condition, e.g., a short or open condition, exists in the path between a tester and chips on a wafer during a wafer level burn-in testing. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the test system comprises a probe card and n chips. The probe card comprises m first signal contacts for receiving m test signals from the tester, n second signal contacts for providing n test results to the tester, and a contact array. The probe card is in contact with the chips on the wafer through a plurality of needles. In this manner, the test system can detect whether the continuity fault condition exists in the path between the tester and the chips on the wafer during the wafer level burn-in testing.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Elite Semiconductor Memory Technology Inc.Inventors: Jen-Shou Hsu, Po-Hsun Wu
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Patent number: 9575115Abstract: A system and method sorts integrated circuit devices. Integrated circuit devices are manufactured on a wafer according to an integrated circuit design using manufacturing equipment. The design produces integrated circuit devices that are identically designed and perform differently based on manufacturing process variations. The integrated circuit devices are for use in a range of environmental conditions, when placed in service. Testing is performed on the integrated circuit devices. Environmental maximums are individually predicted for each device. The environmental maximums comprise ones of the environmental conditions that must not be exceeded for each device to perform above a given failure rate. Each integrated circuit device is assigned at least one of a plurality of grades based on the environmental maximums predicted for each device.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2012Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.Inventors: Nathaniel R. Chadwick, James P. Di Sarro, Robert J. Gauthier, Jr., Tom C. Lee, Junjun Li, Souvick Mitra, Kirk D. Peterson, Andrew A. Turner
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Patent number: 9575116Abstract: A method of testing a capacitive transducer circuit, for example a MEMS capacitive transducer, by applying a test signal via one or more capacitors provided in the transducer circuit.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.Inventors: Colin Findlay Steele, John L. Pennock
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Patent number: 9575117Abstract: Testing stacked devices. In accordance with a first method embodiment, a primary circuit assembly is accessed from a first circuit assembly carrier. The primary circuit assembly is placed into a test fixture. A secondary circuit assembly is accessed from a second circuit assembly carrier. The secondary circuit assembly is placed into the test fixture on top of the primary circuit assembly. The primary circuit assembly is tested in conjunction with said secondary circuit assembly while coupled together.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: ADVANTEST CORPORATIONInventors: Ling Qi, Tung Sheng Hsieh
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Patent number: 9575118Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a plurality of output pads bondable to an output pin, a plurality of reference pads bondable to a reference pin, and output driver circuitry with a control terminal for receiving a control signal and arranged to drive the plurality of output pads relative to the plurality of reference pads in dependence on the control signal. The output driver circuitry includes driver sections and selection circuitry. Each driver section is arranged to drive an output pad relative to the single reference pad in dependence on a respective section control signal. The reference pads are connected in a one-to-one relationship to the driver sections. The output pads are connected in a one-to-one relationship to the driver sections. The selection circuitry provides the respective section control signals to the driver sections in dependence on at least one selection signal and the control signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2012Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.Inventor: Hubert Bode
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Patent number: 9575119Abstract: A delay measurement technique using a tapped delay line edge capture circuit that captures tap position of edges within the delay line provides accuracy of measurement to one pico-second and below. A control circuit causes latches to capture an edge of a signal delayed through the delay line at taps of the delay line. The frequency of a clock from which the signal is derived is adjusted and tap outputs are captured by latches and averaged. A first frequency is found at which the average edge position is midway between two adjacent tap positions. A second signal, which may be the reference signal that clocks the latches, is propagated through the delay line and a second frequency is found for which the average edge position lies at the boundary between the two tap positions. The delay is determined from the difference between the periods of the first frequency and the second frequency.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2016Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Robert L. Franch, Phillip J. Restle, David Wen-Hao Shan
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Patent number: 9575120Abstract: A method for scanning a partially functional chip. The method may include applying a failed core map to the partially functional chip, bypassing at least one failed core scan chain, based on contents of the failed core map. The method may also include performing comparisons of scan status information to the failed core map and inhibiting movement of scan data of at least one failed core, based on results of the comparisons.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Steven M. Douskey, Ronald E. Fuhs
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Patent number: 9575121Abstract: An IC includes an IEEE 1149.1 standard test access port (TAP) interface and an additional Off-Chip TAP interface. The Off-Chip TAP interface connects to the TAP of another IC. The Off Chip TAP interface can be selected by a TAP Linking Module on the IC.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2015Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventor: Lee D. Whetsel
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Patent number: 9575122Abstract: The disclosure describes a novel method and apparatus for allowing response data output from the scan outputs of a circuit under test to be formatted and applied as stimulus data input to the scan inputs of the circuit under test. Also the disclosure described a novel method and apparatus for allowing the response data output from the scan outputs of a circuit under test to be formatted and used as expected data to compare against the response data output from the circuit under test. Additional embodiments are also provided and described in the disclosure.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2016Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Texas Intruments IncorporatedInventor: Lee D. Whetsel
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Patent number: 9575123Abstract: Various techniques are provided to implement user specified test registers locally on a PLD for use while the PLD is configured with a user design and tested. In one example, a machine-implemented method includes receiving, from an external test application, a data value at a programmable logic device (PLD) running configured user logic. The method also includes writing the data value into a test register of the PLD. The method also includes providing a control signal from the test register to the configured user logic in response to the data value. The method also includes switching operation of the configured user logic from a first test implementation to a second test implementation in response to the control signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2015Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Lattice Semiconductor CorporationInventors: Pradeep Lenka, Kyoho Lee, Andrew Lin
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Patent number: 9575124Abstract: A system for communicating high voltages for a semiconductor device is provided. One system includes a controller having an input pad and an output pad, each of the input pad and the output pad being coupled to a respective high voltage switch of the controller. The system also includes a plurality of semiconductor chips, where each of the plurality of semiconductor chips has at least one input pad coupled to a high voltage switch of a respective semiconductor chip. A high voltage that is higher than normal operation voltages of the semiconductor device is coupled from the input pad of the controller to the output pad of the controller via the coupled high voltage switches of the controller. The high voltage is further coupled from the output pad of the controller to the at least one input pad of the respective semiconductor chip via the high voltage switch coupled to the at least one input pad of the respective semiconductor chip.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLCInventors: Darmin Jin, William Chau, Brian Cheung
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Patent number: 9575125Abstract: In some examples, a memory device generates and exposes parity/difference information to a test system to reduce overall test time. The parity/difference information may be generated based on parity bits read from the memory device and parity bits produced from data bits stored in the memory device. In some cases, the parity/difference information may be compared to an expected parity/difference to determine a number of correctable errors which occurred during testing, while the data bits may be compared to expected data to determine a number of uncorrectable errors which occurred during testing.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Everspin Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Andre, Syed M. Alam, William Meadows
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Patent number: 9575126Abstract: An item of furniture includes at least one movable element and an actuating system for adjusting the movable element. The actuating system includes at least one linear actuator, a power supply unit and a manual control device. The power supply unit and the manual control device are electrically connected to the linear actuator, which has a diagnostic system having at least one illuminated indicator for indicating the functioning of the three components. The diagnostic system allows the user or a repair service to determine which of the three components is faulty, so that only the faulty component has to be replaced. Repair costs can be reduced significantly. The replacement of one of the three components can also then be carried out without difficulty by the user or a repair service.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2012Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Ciar S.P.A.Inventor: Egidio Marcantoni
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Patent number: 9575127Abstract: Provided are a motor control device (1) for controlling a motor (2) having a plurality of phases, for quickly and accurately detecting a phase in which an open-state fault has occurred when the open-state fault occurs in a target phase. When a power-supply voltage (Vb) is equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage (Vthr), a motor rotation speed (?) is equal to or lower than a predetermined speed (?thr), a target x-phase voltage command (Vx*) is not in the vicinity of zero, a current (Ix) of the target x-phase is equal to or lower than a predetermined current (Iu_thr), and a state in which a control error is equal to or larger than a predetermined error is detected over a predetermined time period or longer, occurrence of an open-state fault in the target phase is determined.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2012Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Isao Kezobo, Masahiro Iezawa, Susumu Zeniya, Eiji Iwami, Yusuke Fujiki, Hiroyuki Kishioka, Sadaaki Kamei, Yoshihiko Kimpara, Jiro Okada
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Patent number: 9575128Abstract: Adaptive estimation techniques to create a battery state estimator to estimate power capabilities of the battery pack in a vehicle. The estimator adaptively updates circuit model parameters used to calculate the voltage states of the ECM of a battery pack. The adaptive estimation techniques may also be used to calculate a solid-state diffusion voltage effects within the battery pack. The adaptive estimator is used to increase robustness of the calculation to sensor noise, modeling error, and battery pack degradation.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Patrick Frost, Brian J. Koch, Damon R. Frisch, Brett B. Stawinski, Patricia M. Laskowsky, Kurt M. Johnson, Robert C. Baraszu
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Patent number: 9575129Abstract: A battery monitoring system includes a plurality of battery cells connected in series and including a first battery cell at a highest potential; a discharge circuit connected to a high potential side of the first battery cell through a first line; a circuit connected to the high potential side of the first battery cell through a second line; and a plurality of electro-static protection circuits each including one end portion connected to at least one of a high potential side and a low potential side of each of the battery cells, and another end portion connected to the first line.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: LAPIS SEMICONDUCTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Naoaki Sugimura
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Patent number: 9575130Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the capacity of a battery cell. A battery cell current I is measured during a measurement period, and an open terminal voltage UOCV1,UOCV2 of the battery cell is measured at the beginning and end of the measuring period. The method has the steps of ascertaining a total battery cell current Iges from the measured battery cell current I, ascertaining charge states SOC1, SOC2 at the beginning and end of the measurement period using the measured open terminal voltage UOCV1,UOCV2, ascertaining an estimated value of the capacity Qest using the total battery cell current Iges and a difference between the charge states SOC1, SOC2, ascertaining a total measurement error of the estimated value of the capacity Qest from measurement errors of the total battery cell current Iges and the charge states SOC1, SOC2, and ascertaining a new value of the capacity Qnew using a known value of the capacity Qact, the estimated value of the capacity Q, and the total measurement error.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Michael Rueger, Andre Boehm
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Patent number: 9575131Abstract: A microcomputer in a device body operates so as to store every update of a maximum discharge current value (IMAX (A)) of a secondary battery (the whole plurality of cells), and operates so as to indicate the ratio value of the remaining capacity defined in a remaining capacity definition table with respect to a discharge voltage value (V (V)) of the secondary battery while reducing the ratio value in accordance with the maximum discharge current value (IMAX (A)) when obtaining the discharge voltage value (V (V)) from a protection circuit.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2012Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITEDInventor: Masafumi Okumura
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Patent number: 9575132Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed herein for accurately calculating battery consumption in a wireless field device. The total current consumed by a radio board associated with a wireless field device can be determined based on the sum of the current consumed as a result of particular events occurring at the radio board. The current consumed by a sensor board of the wireless field device can then be averated with respect to particular type of sensor. The current consumed by the radio board and the current consumed by the sensor board in the wireless field device can be combined to calculate a predictive value indicative of a remaining life of a battery associated with the wireless field device.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Udaya Shetty, Prasad Samudrala, Channabasavaraj Raravi, Norman Swanson
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Patent number: 9575133Abstract: A controller, a first voltage detector, a second voltage detector, . . . and an nth voltage detector are connected together in series in this order via a common communication line. In ID setting operation, the controller transfers a unique ID of the first voltage detector to the first voltage detector via the communication line, and transfers a unique ID of the (i+1)th voltage detector to the (i+1)th voltage detector via the first to ith voltage detectors and the communication line (where in is a natural number equal to or less than (n?1)).Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tomokazu Okada, Yang Yu, Yanxin Yan
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Patent number: 9575134Abstract: An assembled-battery voltage detection device for detecting a voltage at an assembled-battery including a plurality of single batteries connected in series includes: single-battery voltage detection circuits detecting voltages at the respective single batteries; single-battery voltage detection terminals connected to ends of the single batteries; connectors connecting the single-battery voltage detection terminals and the single batteries; voltage detection terminals detecting a voltage at one of the single batteries located at one end in the assembled battery; an assembled-battery voltage detection circuit detecting a potential difference between the voltage detection terminals; a single-battery voltage sum calculator calculating a sum of the voltages detected by the single-battery voltage detection circuits; an end-battery voltage abnormality determination unit determining whether the voltage at the single battery located at the end is 0 V; and an abnormality output unit outputting an abnormality dependingType: GrantFiled: November 14, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: OMRON AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Tomohiro Sawayanagi, Tadasuke Yano, Yosuke Kinoshita, Yuichi Ikeda
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Patent number: 9575135Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed to monitoring battery cells. In accordance with various embodiments, a battery pack having a plurality of battery cells connected in series is monitored. Current is separately injected into individual ones of the plurality of battery cells, such as by operating a balancing circuit coupled across an individual cell, to inject current (e.g., positive or negative) into the cell. For each of the battery cells, an output is provided to indicate cell voltage of the battery cell responsive to the current injected therein. An output indicative of current through each of the battery cells is provided as well. From the respective outputs as corresponding to each individual cell, amplitude and phase characteristics of the current and voltage outputs for each of the cells are extracted to provide an indication of an impedance characteristic of the cell(s).Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2011Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: DATANG NXP SEMICONDUCTORS CO., LTD.Inventors: Johannes Petrus Maria van Lammeren, Matheus Johannes Gerardus Lammers
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Patent number: 9575136Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring impedance of a fuel cell stack capable of accurately measuring the impedance even when a DC current of the fuel cell stack is changed depending on fluctuation of a load, by compensating for an AC voltage (or AC current) used to measure the impedance of the fuel cell stack based on a DC current of the fuel cell stack.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANYInventors: Sang Bok Won, Kwi Seong Jeong
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Patent number: 9575137Abstract: A control apparatus includes, for example, an input unit to which a plurality of pieces of voltage information related to a voltage of an electric storage unit upon discharge are input, and a determination unit configured to use the voltage information in an early stage of the discharge and determine the presence or absence of a deterioration of the electric storage unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: SONY CORPORATIONInventors: Kimio Tajima, Kohki Watanabe
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Patent number: 9575138Abstract: A novel method for real-time small-signal stability analysis for power electronic-based components in a power system. The method may be used to monitor a power system in real-time by perturbing the source side of an electronic-based component of the power system by injecting a current of about 0.5 to 1 percent of a nominal current of the power system at the source side and perturbing the load side of the power electronic-based component by injecting a voltage of about 0.5 to about 1 percent of a nominal voltage of the power system at the load side and varying the voltage at the load side. Time-domain results of the perturbations may be transferred to frequency-domain results and the stability of the power system may be monitored by obtaining a Nyquist contour and employing Generalized Nyquist Criterion or unit circle criterion.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2016Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: The Florida State University Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Mohamadamin Salmani, Chris S. Edrington
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Patent number: 9575139Abstract: A novel method for real-time small-signal stability analysis for power electronic-based components in a power system. The method may be used to monitor a power system in real-time by perturbing the source side of an electronic-based component of the power system by injecting a current of about 0.5 to 1 percent of a nominal current of the power system at the source side, while simultaneously perturbing the load side of the power electronic-based component by varying the voltage at the load side. Time-domain results of the simultaneous perturbations may be transferred to frequency-domain results and the stability of the power system may be monitored by obtaining a Nyquist contour and employing Generalized Nyquist Criterion or unit circle criterion.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2016Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: The Florida State University Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Mohamadamin Salmani, Chris S. Edrington
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Patent number: 9575140Abstract: A system and method for tracking an object through a three dimensional space is provided that uses the generation and detection of various magnetic fields to provide three-dimensional location data. The integrity of the generated magnetic fields are monitored against a baseline in order to detect compromise by the unintentional introduction of a foreign metallic or magnetic object in the procedural space.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2009Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventor: Oded Zur
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Patent number: 9575141Abstract: A Hall sensor comprises at least three Hall sensor elements (1, 2, . . . , 94) that respectively comprise at least three element terminals (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H) and are interconnected in a circuit grid with a structure that is more than one-dimensional, as well as at least three sensor terminals (EXT_A, EXT_B, EXT_C, EXT_D) for contacting the Hall sensor. In this case, each sensor terminal (EXT_A, EXT_B, EXT_C, EXT_D) is connected to at least one of the Hall sensor elements (1, 2, . . . , 94) at one of its element terminals (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H).Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2012Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: AMS AGInventor: Georg Röhrer
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Patent number: 9575142Abstract: A sensor arrangement for position sensing comprises a magnetic field source and a magnetoresistive element arranged in a magnetic field generated by the magnetic field source, which magnetoresistive element provides an output signal (R) dependent on a position (x) of the magnetoresistive element relative to the magnetic field source. A feedback controller is configured to receive the output signal (R) of the magnetoresistive element and is configured to adjust one or more of the position (x) of the magnetoresistive element relative to the magnetic field source and a strength of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field source acting on the magnetoresistive element dependent on the output signal (R) of the magnetoresistive element.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2015Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Angeliki Pantazi, Abu Sebastian, Tomas Tuma
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Patent number: 9575143Abstract: The present invention discloses a design for a single-chip dual-axis magnetic field sensor, based on magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) elements and permanent magnets integrated on a semiconductor substrate to produce two types of sensor bridges that detect orthogonal magnetic field components. The orthogonal magnetic field component detection capability results from the different types of sensor bridges that can be produced by varying the shape of the MTJ elements and the bias fields that can be created by permanent magnets. Because the permanent magnets can create orthogonal bias fields on the different sensor bridges, it is possible to use a single pinned layer to set direction for both sensor bridges. This is advantageous because it permits the two-axis sensor to be fabricated on a single semiconductor chip without the need for specialized processing technology such as local heating, or deposition of multiple magnetoresistive films with different pinned layers setting directions.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2012Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: MultiDimension Technology Co., Ltd.Inventors: James Geza Deak, Insik Jin, Weifeng Shen, Xiaofeng Lei, Songsheng Xue
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Patent number: 9575144Abstract: A compact, high-sensitivity magnetometer, including: an optical interface to accept a linearly polarized first light; a pump light source to produce a circularly polarized pump light; a vapor cell comprising a sealed vessel containing an alkali-metal gas, a first input port to receive the first light, a second input port to accept the pump light from a direction perpendicular to the first light, and an output port configured to produce a second light; an electromagnetic source configured to apply an electromagnetic field to the vapor cell at a direction perpendicular to the first light and the pump light; a second linear polarizer, having an axis of polarization perpendicular to the first light, the second polarizer configured to receive the second light and to produce a third light; and a photodetector configured to receive the third light, to produce an intensity measurement of the third light.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: TWINLEAF LLCInventors: Thomas Whitmore Kornack, Elizabeth Lee Foley
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Patent number: 9575145Abstract: An MR coil former apparatus includes a body, a coil array, and a coil cover. The body defines a patient-facing positive surface opposite a non-patient-facing negative surface. The positive surface of the body includes an anatomic contour, and the coil array is disposed adjacent and conformed to the anatomic contour. The coil cover is disposed overlying the coil array and conformed to the anatomic contour.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Craig William Culver, John Edward Lorbiecki, Michael James Calloway, Sahil Bhatia, Tae Young Yang, YunJeong Stickle, Tom Zink, Darren Gregan
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Patent number: 9575146Abstract: The invention relates to a method of characterizing the RF transmit chain of a magnetic resonance imaging scanner (1) using a local transmit/receive coil system (204; 210), comprising a first local NMR probe and a first local magnetic resonance coil, the first NMR probe being spatially located in immediate neighborhood to the first coil, a local receive coil system (206; 208), comprising a second local NMR probe and a second local magnetic resonance coil, the second NMR probe being spatially located in immediate neighborhood to the second coil, wherein the transmit chain comprises an external MR coil (9; 11; 12; 13), the method comprising: determining with the first magnetic resonance coil, a first MR signal phase evolution of the local RF transmit field generated by MR excitation of the first probe using the first magnetic resonance coil by measuring the RF response of the first probe upon said excitation, determining with the second magnetic resonance coil a second MR signal phase evolution of the local RFType: GrantFiled: October 26, 2011Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: Johan Van Den Brink, Ingmar Graesslin, Sascha Krueger, Steffen Weiss, Peter Vernickel
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Patent number: 9575147Abstract: A nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) sensor assembly includes an active sensor coil configured to transmit radiofrequency (RF) signals to an object of interest and receive return RF signals from the object of interest to generate sensor signals substantially representative of the return signals. The at least one reference coil is configured to receive environmental RF signals to generate reference signals at least partially representative of the environmental RF signals. The at least one reference coil is co-located with the active sensor coil. The active sensor coil and the at least one reference coil are in communication with a correction unit configured to remove interference components from the sensor signals using the reference signals.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: MORPHO DETECTION, LLCInventors: Hector Robert, Erik Edmund Magnuson
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Patent number: 9575148Abstract: In a method for guiding brachytherapy radiation treatment the patient is supported on a table and an MR magnet is brought into the treatment bunker through doors for imaging while the after-loader for the radiation source delivery is stored away in a storage location outside the RF shield. A safety system controls movement of the after-loader and the magnet. Images of the patient obtained while the patient is on the table are used to locate the applicator with respect to the lesion and organs-at-risk. The MR and X-ray compatible patient support table with MR coil integration includes a removable end-extension, which provides pelvic access for applicator insertion.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Imris Inc.Inventors: Jeff Winter, Meir Dahan, Labros Petropoulos, Brendan Guyot, Alexis Denis
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Patent number: 9575149Abstract: A cooling system includes a first cooling loop containing a first cryogen, the first cooling loop being in thermal communication with a superconducting magnet and being configured to provide primary cooling for the magnet and a second cooling loop also containing the first cryogen. The second cooling loop is in thermal communication with an enclosure containing a second cryogen and is configured to cool the second cryogen within the enclosure. The enclosure is in thermal communication with the superconducting magnet and is configured to provide secondary cooling for the magnet.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Yuri Lvovsky, Mark Derakhshan
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Patent number: 9575150Abstract: A magnetic resonance magnet assembly 20 has a coil form 70 shaped as a hollow cylinder. At least two thermally conductive sheets 60 are disposed circumferentially around the coil form 70, separated by a non-electrically conductive region 90. Thermally conductive tubing 50 affixed to each thermally conductive sheeting section 60 runs circumferentially around the coil form 70. At least one layer of thermally conductive electrically insulating material 110 such as fiber glass is bonded with a thermally conductive epoxy encapsulant to the thermally conductive sheets 60. A winding of superconductive wire 80 is bond together and to the electrically insulating material 110 with the thermally conductive epoxy encapsulant.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2012Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Robert Adolph Ackermann, Richard Lawrence Frank
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Patent number: 9575151Abstract: In a method to operate a magnetic resonance apparatus with a magnetic resonance sequence—in particular a PETRA sequence—in which k-space is radially scanned for an image acquisition in a first region of k-space that does not include the center of k-space, and in which an excitation pulse is radiated as the full strength of at least two phase coding gradients is reached, and in which k-space is scanned in a Cartesian manner—in particular by single point imaging—in a second region of k-space remaining without the first region, the gradient strength corresponding to a shortest total acquisition time is determined automatically from predetermined sequence parameters and/or sequence parameters defined by a user.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: David Grodzki
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Patent number: 9575152Abstract: An MRI apparatus employs a magnet for establishing a B0 field, one or more imaging radiofrequency coils for creating a B1 field, and one or more nulling radiofrequency coils. The RF energy emitted by the nulling radiofrequency coils may be configured such that it disrupts the nuclear magnetic resonance signals emitted by nuclei excited by the B1 field. In addition, the nulling radiofrequency coils may be calibrated to be 180° out of phase such that the RF energy emitted by a pair of nulling radiofrequency coils is cancelled at a location between them.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Fonar CorporationInventor: Raymond V. Damadian
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Patent number: 9575153Abstract: At least a portion of a body (10) of a patient positioned in an examination volume of a MR device (1). A portion of the body (10) is subject to a calibration sequence including RF pulses and switched magnetic field gradients controlled in such a manner that a calibration signal data set is acquired by a multi-point Dixon technique at a first image resolution. Calibration parameters are derived from the calibration signal data set. The MR device (1) is controlled according to the derived calibration parameters. The portion of the body (10) is subject to an imaging sequence including RF pulses and switched magnetic field gradients controlled in such a manner that a diagnostic signal data set is acquired at a second image resolution which is higher than the first image resolution. A diagnostic MR image is reconstructed from the diagnostic signal data set.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2011Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: Arjan Willem Simonetti, Gwenael Henri Herigault, Peter Boernert