Patents Issued in June 13, 2017
  • Patent number: 9680263
    Abstract: A coaxial cable connector includes, in one embodiment, a body, post, coupler and continuity member. The continuity member has an anchored post contact portion and a plurality of arcuate coupler contact portions. The connector is configured to form an electrical grounding continuity path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: PPC BROADBAND, INC.
    Inventors: Eric Purdy, Noah P. Montena, Jeremy Amidon
  • Patent number: 9680264
    Abstract: Disclosed is an audio jack assembly that reduces or eliminates signal loss with an audio jack by reducing or eliminating the resistance with a conventional audio plug. The jack assembly employs a support housing having a passageway sized to receive the audio plug with an insulated first connector having first and second terminal strips, each formed integral to a first disk base and positioned to engage the grooved tip of an audio plug when engaged. A second isolated connector includes first and second terminal strips positioned to engage each side of a sleeve when the audio plug is engaged. The second connector is electrically isolated from the first connector wherein the second connector is fastened to the support housing securing the first connector therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventor: David J. Polinski
  • Patent number: 9680265
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a female connector and a method for manufacturing the same. The female connector coupled with a male terminal unit in which a plurality of male terminals are arranged includes: a housing configured to have one side provided with a male insertion hole into which the male terminal unit is inserted and the other side provided with an insertion groove; a body configured to be inserted into the insertion groove to be coupled with the housing; and a female terminal configured to be formed on a surface of the body and provided with a pattern part electrically connected to the male connector by activating the surface by a laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, OPTO LINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Se Hoon Park, Cheol Hun Lee, Jin Sung Sa, Hyun Chung Ko
  • Patent number: 9680266
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for increasing potential data capacity for a high-density transceiver connector includes: aligning at least two transceiver-switch copper contacts opposite at least one network switch copper contact associated with a network switch, aligning at least two transceiver-cable copper contacts opposite at least one cable copper contact, and connecting the at least two transceiver-switch copper contacts to the at least two transceiver-cable copper contacts, wherein the high-density transceiver connector shares a form factor with a low-density transceiver connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Franco Tomada, Luca Cafiero
  • Patent number: 9680267
    Abstract: A connector comprises first contacts, second contacts and a housing. The first contacts have first contact portions which come into contact with first mating contacts. The second contacts have second contact portions which come into contact with second mating contacts. The housing has at least two long wall portions and at least one supporting portion. The long wall portions extend in an X-direction and are disposed apart from each other in a Y-direction to form a slot between the two of the long wall portions. The supporting portion protrudes in a Z-direction from one of the long wall portions and has a plate-like shape extending in the X-direction. The first contact portions are supported by the supporting portion. The second contact portions are located in the slot at least in part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventor: Osamu Hashiguchi
  • Patent number: 9680268
    Abstract: Various components and methods related to electrical connectors are disclosed. The electrical connectors can be configured to receive a plurality of cables. The electrical connectors can be configured to accommodate a plurality of cables so as to provide a high density packaging within each of the pair of electrical connectors. In order to provide appropriate shielding against electric flux and to reduce noise, each of the plurality of cables can be retained within a genderless insert that can be inserted through each of the pair of electrical connectors. Each of the genderless inserts can include an engagement end that allows the interconnection of the cables retained within the pair of electrical connectors. In some examples, the engagement end of each of the genderless inserts includes both a male and female component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: ITT MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES LLC
    Inventor: Michael Finona
  • Patent number: 9680269
    Abstract: A disclosed electrical contactor may include a line-side electrical terminal adapted for connection to an electrical conductor carrying an electrical voltage, multiple load-side connectors each having a housing and multiple electrical terminals arranged within a cavity of the housing, a switching element, and a control unit. Each of the load-side connectors is adapted to receive a plug connector. The switching element electrically connects the line-side electrical terminal to electrical terminal(s) of at least one of the load-side connectors when enabled. The control unit enables the switching element in response to a control signal. Each of the load devices may have a plug connector, and each of the load-side connectors may be mechanically coded to receive the plug connector of a corresponding load device. An electrical configuration of electrical terminals of a line-side connector may allow a crankcase heater, or a crankcase heater with thermostat, to receive electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Randall Lee Lisbona
  • Patent number: 9680270
    Abstract: A power distribution apparatus including a power supply conduit extending a length of a fixture and at least one power tap connected into the conduit, one embodiment of which may feature a saddle and at least one prong making operative contact with the power supply conduit. An electronic control module may be located proximate the saddle. The power tap may also be connected to a power distribution trough, which may have a plurality of walls, with lips, about a base. Power conductor strips may extend from the prongs along a length of the trough. Product enhancement devices may then access the power distribution trough at any point along the power distribution trough's length. A power-out-connector may be positionable along a power distribution trough for enhancement device access. The power-out-connector may feature at least one spring prong which interfaces with at least one lip and at least one power conductor strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventor: Elmer A. Wessel
  • Patent number: 9680271
    Abstract: Systems for analyte detection are disclosed. The system includes absorption channels positioned along a surface of an object. The absorption channels are configured to trap an analyte. The system further includes a sensor embedded in the object and configured to detect the presence of the analyte. The sensor includes a light source configured to transmit light and a detector configured to detect a change in an intensity of light transmitted by the light source. The sensor further includes a cable configured to connect the light source to the detector, wherein the cable comprises detection regions, and wherein the detection regions include a portion of the cable exposed to the analyte in the absorption channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: McGill University
    Inventors: Jonathan Ikola Saari, Nate Quitoriano, James Forbes, Gordon Roberts
  • Patent number: 9680272
    Abstract: The number of steps is reduced in the formation process of an electrode. Deterioration of the electrode is suppressed. A highly reliable lithium secondary battery is provided by suppressing the deterioration of the electrode. A method for forming a negative electrode and a method for manufacturing a lithium secondary battery including the negative electrode are provided. In the method for forming the negative electrode, graphene oxide, a plurality of particulate negative electrode active materials, and a precursor of polyimide are mixed to form slurry; the slurry is applied over a negative electrode current collector; and the slurry applied over the negative electrode current collector is heated at a temperature higher than or equal to 200° C. and lower than or equal to 400° C. so that the precursor of the polyimide is imidized. The graphene oxide is reduced in heating the slurry to imidize the precursor of the polyimide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyofumi Ogino
  • Patent number: 9680273
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical connector having a substrate and movable electrical contacts which are mounted to the substrate and extend a distance D from the substrate. A layer of compressible material (such as a foam or elastomeric material) is positioned on the substrate adjacent at least some of the electrical contacts and ideally has an uncompressed thickness slightly greater than the distance D to provide for protection of the electrical contacts. When a mating electrical device such as an electrical connector or other circuit member is mated to the electrical connector with its electrical contacts and its layer of compressible material, the layer of compressible material is compressed to a thickness less than the distance D, allowing the contacts to make a suitable electrical interconnection to the mating electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: NEOCONIX, INC
    Inventors: David Noel Light, Hung-Ming Wang, David Rodney Baker, Peter Tho Nguyen, Dexter Shih-Wei Pao
  • Patent number: 9680274
    Abstract: An electrical connector (100) includes a shielding plate (1), a base portion (2) insert molded with the shielding plate and defining two rows of passageways (21), two rows of terminals (3) affixed to the base portion, and an insulative housing (4) over molded with the base portion. The two rows of passageways extend through the base portion along a front-to-back direction and exposed completely upwardly and downwardly. Each terminal includes a contacting beam (31) having a contacting portion (311). The shielding plate is located between the two rows of terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: FOXCONN INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Ming-Ching Chen, Shun-Jung Chuang, Wei-Ta Tseng
  • Patent number: 9680275
    Abstract: A wire singulating device includes a stationary plate and a movable plate that define a wire funnel and a wire channel therebetween. The movable plate is movable relative to the stationary plate to control a width of the wire channel. The wire funnel receives a wire bundle that includes plural wires. The wire channel is below the wire funnel and receives the wires from the wire funnel through a top opening in the wire channel. The wire channel directs the wires one at a time to a take away zone below a bottom opening of the wire channel. A wire transfer member below the bottom opening of the wire channel has a slot that receives the wire in the take away zone. The wire transfer member moves relative to the stationary plate and the movable plate to separate the wire in the slot from the wire bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Matthew Steven Houser
  • Patent number: 9680276
    Abstract: An illuminator includes a short wave infrared (SWIR) laser, a lens collimator, a first beam shaping diffuser, a second beam shaping diffuser, and a bandpass filter. The lens collimator is optically coupled to the laser for diverging a beam emitted by the laser. The first beam shaping diffuser is optically coupled to the lens collimator to diffuse a diverged beam produced by the lens collimator. The second beam shaping diffuser is optically coupled to the first beam shaping diffuser to further diffuse a diffused beam produced by the first beam shaping diffuser. The bandpass filter is optically connected to the second beam shaping diffuser configured to filter the emissions of a further diffused beam produced by the second beam shaping diffuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
    Inventor: Marc Hansen
  • Patent number: 9680277
    Abstract: There is provided a slab amplifier including an optical system (48, 51) provided in a chamber (47) to allow a seed beam having entered from a first window into the space between a pair of electrodes (42, 43) to be repeatedly reflected between the space so that the seed beam is amplified to be an amplified beam; a first aperture plate (61) provided between the first window and the electrodes, and having an opening of a dimension equal to or greater than a cross-section of the seed beam and equal to or smaller than a dimension of the first window; and a second aperture plate (62) provided between the second window and the electrodes, and having an opening of a dimension equal to or greater than a cross-section of the amplified beam and equal to or smaller than a dimension of the second window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Gigaphoton Inc.
    Inventors: Krzysztof Nowak, Takashi Suganuma, Takashi Saito, Yasufumi Kawasuji
  • Patent number: 9680278
    Abstract: There is provided a laser cooling apparatus including: a laser for providing an emission; a silicon-on-insulator substrate; and a thin film microstructure thermally anchored to the silicon-on-insulator substrate, the thin film microstructure being made from a material selected from either a II-VI binary compound semiconductor or a II-VI tenary compound semiconductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: NANYANG TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Qihua Xiong, Jun Zhang, Dehui Li
  • Patent number: 9680279
    Abstract: A fiber optic laser for use in high stress environments is provided. The fiber optic laser comprises a hollow spool structure housing a fiber in a spiral groove in an interior surface of said hollow spool structure, wherein the fiber is mechanically supported along an entirety of its length within the hollow spool structure. Fluid channels are formed within the hollow spool structure, wherein a quantity of coolant is movable through the fluid channels to provide high-precision thermal management of the fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin R. Johnson, Michael J. Shaw, Tyler Forbes
  • Patent number: 9680280
    Abstract: An electronic circuit for controlling a laser system consisting of a pulse source and high power fiber amplifier is disclosed. The circuit is used to control the gain of the high power fiber amplifier system so that the amplified output pulses have predetermined pulse energy as the pulse width and repetition rate of the oscillator are varied. This includes keeping the pulse energy constant when the pulse train is turned on. The circuitry is also used to control the temperature of the high power fiber amplifier pump diode such that the wavelength of the pump diode is held at the optimum absorption wavelength of the fiber amplifier as the diode current is varied. The circuitry also provides a means of protecting the high power fiber amplifier from damage due to a loss of signal from the pulse source or from a pulse-source signal of insufficient injection energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: IMRA AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Salvatore F. Nati, Otho E. Ulrich, Jr., Gyu C. Cho, Wayne A. Gillis, Donald J. Harter, Mark Bendett, Ingmar Hartl
  • Patent number: 9680281
    Abstract: In a method, a laser pump module is set to a first power mode and pump energy is output at a first power level through the activation of a first subset of laser diodes. Laser light is emitted from a gain medium at the first power level in response to absorption of the pump energy. An operator input corresponding to a power mode setting is received. The laser pump module is switched to a second power mode and pump energy is output at a second power level through the activation of a second subset of the laser diodes. Laser light is emitted from the gain medium at the second power level in response to absorption of the pump energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Rongwei Jason Xuan, Michael R. Hodel, Douglas G. Stinson, Raymond Adam Nemeyer
  • Patent number: 9680282
    Abstract: Aiming a device at a target within a use environment is described. An intensity level of ambient lighting associated with the use environment is detected and a corresponding signal is generated. An emission of a beam operable for the aiming of the device is controlled. Upon the generated signal corresponding to a first detected ambient lighting intensity level, a first laser is activated to emit the aiming beam at a first power intensity level. Upon the generated signal corresponding to a second detected ambient lighting intensity level, which exceeds the second detected ambient lighting intensity level, a second laser is activated to emit the aiming beam at a second power intensity level. The first power intensity level exceeds the second power intensity level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Hidde Arjen Hanenburg
  • Patent number: 9680283
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for optical communications. One optical amplifier includes an input port; a bar-cross switch optically coupled to the input port; a first gain stage optically coupled between first port of the bar-cross switch and to an output port; and a secondary gain stage optically coupled between a second port and a third port of the bar-cross switch, wherein in a bar-state of the bar-cross switch the secondary gain stage is bypassed and in a cross-state, the secondary gain stage and the first gain stage are applied to an input light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Oplink Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Chiachi Wang, Lifu Gong, Lijie Qiao, Weihua Guan
  • Patent number: 9680284
    Abstract: Devices and methods for lessening a thermal dependence of gain profile of an optical amplifier are disclosed. An optical beam is split in a plurality of sub-beams with a thermally variable power splitting ratio, e.g. one sub-beam may travel a longer optical path length than another. When the sub-beams are recombined, they interfere with each other, causing the throughput to be wavelength dependent. An amplitude of this wavelength dependence is thermally variable due to the thermally variable power splitting ratio. The thermally variable power splitting ratio and the optical path length difference are selected so as to offset a thermal variation of a spectral gain profile of an optical amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventor: Lijie Qiao
  • Patent number: 9680285
    Abstract: A laser light-source apparatus includes: fiber amplifiers and a solid state amplifier configured to amplify pulse light output from a seed light source based on gain switching; nonlinear optical elements configured to perform wavelength conversion on the pulse light output from the solid state amplifier; an optical switching element configured to permit or stop propagation of pulse light from the fiber amplifier to the solid state amplifier; and a control unit configured to control the optical switching element in such a manner that the propagation of the light is stopped in an output period of the pulse light from the seed light source, and permitted in a period other than the output period of the pulse light from the seed light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: SPECTRONIX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joji Okada, Yosuke Orii
  • Patent number: 9680286
    Abstract: A tunable laser system includes a tunable laser, an adjustable laser cavity for producing one or more modes of laser light emitted from the tunable laser, a first optical parametric oscillator positioned in a light path of the adjustable laser cavity, and a controller operable to simultaneously control parameters of at least the tunable laser, the first optical parametric oscillator, and the adjustable laser cavity to produce a range of wavelengths emitted from the tunable laser system. A method of operating a tunable laser system includes using a controller to simultaneously control parameters of a tunable laser, an adjustable laser cavity for producing one or more modes of laser light emitted from the tunable laser, and a first optical parametric oscillator positioned in a light path of the adjustable laser cavity, to produce a range of wavelengths emitted from the tunable laser system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Joel McCorkel
  • Patent number: 9680287
    Abstract: A laser source that generates an optical frequency comb, comprising a pumped laser medium placed inside an optical cavity that incorporates at least one optically-controlled modulator, a detector generating an error signal, and a modulation optical source that is controlled by the error signal and whose radiation is directed onto said optically-controlled modulator thereby stabilizing the Carrier-Envelope Offset (CEO) frequency and/or the CEO phase and/or the repetition rate of said source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: UNIVERSITÉ DE NEUCHÂTEL
    Inventors: Stephane Schilt, Martin Hoffmann, Thomas Sudmeyer
  • Patent number: 9680288
    Abstract: An optical amplification device includes: a semiconductor optical amplifier; a first detector that detects an input optical power of the semiconductor optical amplifier; a second detector that detects an output optical power of the semiconductor optical amplifier; and a controller that controls a driving current of the semiconductor optical amplifier, wherein the controller supplies a predetermined driving current to the semiconductor optical amplifier when an optical signal is not input to the semiconductor optical amplifier, the second detector detects an optical power of Amplified Spontaneous Emission (ASE) output from the semiconductor optical amplifier when the predetermined driving current is supplied to the semiconductor optical amplifier, and the controller controls the driving current of the semiconductor optical amplifier based on the input optical power of the semiconductor optical amplifier detected by the first detector, and the optical power of the ASE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Susumu Kinoshita, Setsuo Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9680289
    Abstract: A laser apparatus includes laser diode module groups (LDMGs) and power supply units and provides a laser light source by collecting laser beam from the LDMGs, and comprises: a driving current supply circuit network for injecting the driving currents into the respective LDMGs, independently; a control unit which controls the driving currents independently; a first recording unit in which are recorded data representing a relationship between the driving current and optical output power, and data representing a relationship between the driving current and drive voltage; and a first calculating unit which calculates the driving currents to be allocated to the LDMGs so as to achieve maximum electrical to optical conversion efficiency, wherein the control unit allocates the driving currents to the LDMGs in accordance with the results calculated by the first calculating unit so that the LDMGs as a whole can achieve maximum electrical to optical conversion efficiency under conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Takigawa, Hisatada Machida
  • Patent number: 9680290
    Abstract: An electric cable with protection member that makes it possible to waterproof an electric cable, ensure shock resistance with respect to a portion of the electric cable, and maintain the shape of the electric cable and, furthermore, that is easily adaptable to specification changes and dimensional tolerances and is produced at low cost. An electric cable with protection member includes an electric cable, a tube that is continuous in a circumferential direction, a metal exterior member surrounding the circumference of a portion of the tube, and a plurality of fixing portions. The metal exterior member is a member that is formed in a tubular shape capable of bending deformation and that can maintain a fixed shape against the load of the electric cable and the tube. The fixing portions are portions that can be fixed to a support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignees: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuichi Kimoto, Masashi Fujiki, Katsutoshi Izawa, Yasushi Itani
  • Patent number: 9680292
    Abstract: Protective housings for an electrical device, such as a switches or receptacle, and methods for installing protective housings are disclosed. A protective housing for an electrical device includes a baseplate with an internal opening and first arcuate cutout along the internal opening. The protective housing also includes a first insert with a second arcuate cutout and at least one aperture. The first insert fits within the opening. The first and second arcuate cutouts form a through hole when the first insert is fitted within the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventor: Agustinus Wijaya
  • Patent number: 9680293
    Abstract: A surface mounted multiple cable or wire organizer that includes a rigid connector body with a center void and plurality of transversely aligned holes configured to receive a twist tie. The connector body includes a bottom surface, a top surface, and outer side walls. Adhesive tape or a threaded connector is used to attach the bottom surface of the connector body to a flat surface. During use, a twist tie is inserted through the holes in the connector body. The ends of the twist tie extend outward from the holes on opposite sides of the connector body. A single cable or wire or a bundle of cables or wires is extended over the top surface of the connector body and the ends of the twist tie are bent and twisted over the connector body and the cables and wires to hold them over the top surface of the connector body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventor: Kurt Vilhelmsen
  • Patent number: 9680294
    Abstract: A conductor system for use in a surrounding dielectric has a first member with a first conductive surface having a first edge and arranged to be in contact with the surrounding dielectric; a second member arranged such that there is a gap between the first member and the second member at the first edge; and a protector arranged to be partially held in the gap by elastic forces in the protector and having a conductive protector surface arranged to be pressed against the first edge by the elastic forces and arranged to protrude out of the gap on the side of the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: EATON INDUSTRIES (NETHERLANDS) B.V.
    Inventor: Paulus Geusendam
  • Patent number: 9680295
    Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for forming piezoelectric coatings on power line cables using sol-gel materials. A cable may be fed through a container with a sol-gel material having a piezoelectric material to form an uncured layer on the surface of the cable. The layer is then cured using, for example, infrared, ultraviolet, and/or other types of radiation. The cable may be suspended in a coating system such that the uncured layer does not touch any components of the system until the layer is adequately cured. Piezoelectric characteristics of the cured layer may be tested in the system to provide a control feedback. The cured layer, which may be referred to as a piezoelectric coating, causes resistive heating at the outer surface of the cable during vibration of the cable due transmission of alternating currents and environmental factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Advenira Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Elmira Ryabova
  • Patent number: 9680296
    Abstract: In a fault detection protecting circuit, an overheat detection unit is provided for each of communication channels on an IC chip, and detects the temperature in each communication channel as the detected temperature. A chip temperature detection unit detects the temperature at an arbitrary position on the IC chip as a reference temperature. A detection unit sets a predetermined ratio value regarding the difference between an overheat protective temperature and a reference temperature based on the detected temperature in each communication channel and the reference temperature, and identifies that the communication channel is in a state before overheat detection when the detected temperature exceeds a threshold value. A stop-control unit stops the output from one of the communication channels when the detection unit identifies that the communication channel is in a state before overheat detection and when it is identified that the communication channel is in an overcurrent state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideharu Nagatomo, Akira Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9680297
    Abstract: MUs and IEDs are included. Each of the IEDs includes a signal control unit that derives the time difference between the sampling timings in the MUs on the basis of digital data from one end of a protection area and digital data from the other end of the protection area, controls the cycle of a sampling-timing control signal to eliminate this time difference, and outputs this controlled sampling-timing control signal to a merging unit corresponding to each computation unit. Each of the MUs includes a control-signal output circuit that generates a sampling signal synchronized with the sampling-timing control signal from the IEDs and outputs this sampling signal as a control signal, and a data output unit that converts an electrical input to digital data and outputs the digital data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shigetoo Oda
  • Patent number: 9680298
    Abstract: An input redundant circuit according to the present disclosure may include: a core power supply unit; a first input port connected to a first input voltage; a second input port connected to a second input voltage; a relay unit connected to the first input port and the second input port to supply one of the first input voltage and the second input voltage to the core power supply unit; and a surge current limiting unit coupled to the relay unit, configured to limit a surge current generated when the relay unit is switched between the first input voltage and the second input voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: ASTEC INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventor: Chung Yan Cheng
  • Patent number: 9680299
    Abstract: A battery protection integrated circuit includes a switch unit; a control unit that controls on and off of the switch unit based on a monitored result; a package; a plurality of external connection terminals that are electrically connected to a plurality of terminal portions of the switch unit and the control unit, respectively, all of the external connection terminals that are to be connected to a first terminal of a circuit board being provided at a first short side of the terminal providing surface that faces one of board short sides of a circuit board, and all of the external connection terminals that are to be connected to a second terminal of the circuit board being provided at a second short side that is opposite to the first short side, when being mounted on the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuhito Tanaka, Norihito Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 9680300
    Abstract: A switch protection circuit includes a discharging circuit and, optionally, a clamping circuit. The discharge circuit operates prior to the switch completing the switching action to discharge capacitance from a signal line of a cable connected to a device under test to a ground voltage. When not discharging, the discharge circuit presents low leakage to a measurement circuit so as not to interfere with such measurement. If present, the clamping circuit clamps a signal line of the cable to a guard structure of the cable so that the discharge circuit can couple both the signal line and the guard structure to ground. The protection circuit operates without significantly worsening low current performance of the measurement instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Keithley Instruments, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew A. Holtz, Gregory Sobolewski, Jerold A. Williamson
  • Patent number: 9680301
    Abstract: A photovoltaic power plant with master-slave control architecture. The photovoltaic power plant includes slave plant controllers, with each slave plant controller controlling operation of photovoltaic inverters that convert direct current generated by solar cells to alternating current suitable for delivery to a utility power grid at a point of interconnection (POI). A master plant controller controls and coordinates the operation of the slave plant controllers. The master plant controller generates a global inverter real or reactive power setpoint, which is provided to each slave plant controller. In each slave plant controller, the global set point is processed to generate individual inverter real or reactive power setpoints that are provided to corresponding photovoltaic inverters controlled by that slave plant controller. A photovoltaic inverter generates an output based on received individual inverter setpoint to achieve a desired real power, voltage or power factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Lars Johnson, William B. Peter, Robert Johnson
  • Patent number: 9680303
    Abstract: A power storage system is provided with charge switches, discharge switches, a bidirectional DC/DC converter and a power storage system controller connecting all the battery packs to an external circuit to achieve parallel charge and discharge, and the power storage system starts the charge by setting a rated charge current value per one battery pack to Iset and setting the rated charge current value Iset as an initial value of a charge current command value Iref(1), thereafter monitor the charge current of each of the battery packs after elapse of a predetermined time so as to subtract its maximum value Ibmax(1) from the charge current command value Iref(1), and add the rated charge current value Iset to result of subtraction Ierr (Iref(1)?Ibmax(1)) so as to set as a new charge current command value Iref(2) and carry out pre-charge in such a manner as to carry on the charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi Information & Telecommunication Engineering, Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumikazu Takahashi, Yoshihide Takahashi, Yusuke Katsuyama, Kimiaki Taniguchi, Akinori Uchida, Masahiro Hamaogi, Susumu Nagafuchi
  • Patent number: 9680304
    Abstract: A system and method for combining power from DC power sources. Each power source is coupled to a converter. Each converter converts input power to output power by monitoring and maintaining the input power at a maximum power point. Substantially all input power is converted to the output power, and the controlling is performed by allowing output voltage of the converter to vary. The converters are coupled in series. An inverter is connected in parallel with the series connection of the converters and inverts a DC input to the inverter from the converters into an AC output. The inverter maintains the voltage at the inverter input at a desirable voltage by varying the amount of the series current drawn from the converters. The series current and the output power of the converters, determine the output voltage at each converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Meir Adest, Lior Handelsman, Yoav Galin, Amir Fishelov, Guy Sella
  • Patent number: 9680305
    Abstract: System and method for restricting output power from multiple serially coupled DC power sources, such as a solar cell array, controlled by power balancing circuitry, thereby enabling power restriction in the event of an emergency. Output bypass circuitry allows the output voltage to be selectively restricted, and though power for switching between states would be needed, use of bi-stable bypass circuitry would avoid a need for power to remain in a state of bypass operation. Additionally, with the serially coupled DC power sources controlled by power balancing circuitry, use of solid-state current switching elements ensures continued output power restriction due to the clamping action of the body diodes upon the output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: HiQ Solar, Inc.
    Inventor: Andre P. Willis
  • Patent number: 9680306
    Abstract: A wind power generation control device, coupled between a wind power generator and a power grid, includes a converter unit and a switching unit. The converter unit includes a generator-side converter, a DC bus capacitor and a grid-side converter, wherein an AC-side of the generator-side converter is coupled to a rotor-side of the wind power generator, a DC-side of the generator-side converter is coupled to the DC bus capacitor, a DC-side of the grid-side converter is coupled to the DC bus capacitor, and an AC-side of the grid-side converter is coupled to the power grid. The switching unit is configured to switch the wind power generation control device between the doubly-fed power generation operating mode and the full-power operating mode according to a wind speed. A wind power generation system uses the wind power generation control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Haifen Xue, Li Chen, Fei Lu, Changyong Wang
  • Patent number: 9680307
    Abstract: Systems and methods for regulating the voltage at a point of interconnection of a renewable energy plant, such as a solar plant, with a grid are provided. A voltage signal indicative of the voltage at the point of interconnection can be received and filtered with a high pass filter to generate a filtered error signal. The high pass filter can block components of the voltage signal at a frequency less than a threshold frequency. A reactive power command for the renewable energy plant can be generated based on the filtered error signal. One or more inverters of the renewable energy plant can be controlled to output reactive power based on the reactive power command. A rejection module can be implemented to prevent adverse interaction with other voltage control devices. In addition, a reset module can be implemented to preserve dynamic reactive power range of the inverters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Miaolei Shao, Jovan Bebic, Owen Jannis Samuel Schelenz, Patrick Hammel Hart
  • Patent number: 9680308
    Abstract: A method for managing allocation of electrical power includes selecting one or more power consuming entities for receiving a request to reduce electrical power usage (S23) based on data pertaining to past selections of entities for receiving requests to reduce power and a history of compliance with said requests (S22). A customized request to reduce power usage for each of the selected one or more power consuming entities is generated (S24). The generated customized request to reduce power usage is received at a corresponding power consuming entity and a cost associated with complying with the received customized request to reduce power usage is evaluated (S25). A commitment to comply with the received customized request to reduce power usage is returned when the evaluated cost is within a threshold of acceptability and negotiating a new request to reduce power when the evaluated cost is greater than a threshold of acceptability (S26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Paul J. Bruschi, Sindhu Suresh
  • Patent number: 9680309
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided to automatically detect and control a load switch for a wireless power receiver. In one novel aspect, a method is provided to adaptively control the load switch based on the output condition of a rectified output according to a predefined criteria. In one embodiment of the invention, the methods to adaptively control the load switch comprises a first stage that turns on the load switch quickly; a second stage that stops turning on the load switch and holds the load switch at its current value; a third stage that slowly pulls down the load switch; and a fourth stage that quickly turns off the load switch. In another embodiment, an integrated circuit for a wireless power pick up unit is provided to control the load switch adaptively based on a rectified output feedback and a predefined criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Active-Semi, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Kohout
  • Patent number: 9680310
    Abstract: Systems and methods for wireless energy transfer are described. A transmitter unit has a transmitter resonator with a coil that is coupled to a power supply to wirelessly transmit power to a receiver unit. A receiver unit has a receiver resonator with a coil coupled to a device load. The receiver unit can include a ferrite enclosure to prevent transmission of magnetic flux into electronics of the receiver unit, and can include ferrite fins to increase a coupling between the transmitter resonator and the receiver resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Thoratec Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Wong, George Chao-chih Hsu, John Duc Nguyen, Carine Hoarau, Steven Reichenbach, Kevin Gerald Heppell
  • Patent number: 9680311
    Abstract: A wireless power system for wirelessly transferring power to a remote device from a wireless power supply at a range of distances. Various embodiments are contemplated in which reflected impedance from the remote device can be reduced by reducing coupling outside the desired wireless power transfer path, allowing delivery of wireless power over a range of distances. For example, a system incorporating one or more of shielding, spacing, and offsetting may be used to reduce reflected impedance from the remote device. An adapter may also be used to extend the range of wireless power transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: Kristen J. Blood, Joshua B. Taylor, Matthew J. Norconk, Colin J. Moore, Benjamin C. Moes, John James Lord
  • Patent number: 9680312
    Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically tuning reactive power in an inductive power transfer system are disclosed. The system comprises a first plurality of coils operably coupled to a respective ferromagnetic material, configured to receive wireless power via the ferromagnetic material from a power source. The system further comprises a plurality of switches configured to selectively control power received by certain of the first plurality of coils. The system further comprises a second plurality of coils configured to receive current from respective ones of the first plurality of coils and deliver wireless power to a wireless power receiver. The system further comprises at least one control unit configured to selectively activate the switches. The switches may be set to provide power from the power source to a portion of the plurality of the second coils or selectively increase or decrease the reactive power load of the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Chang-Yu Huang, Nicholas Athol Keeling, Mickel Bipin Budhia, Jonathan Beaver, Michael Le Gallais Kissin
  • Patent number: 9680313
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to methods and devices for fee-based wireless power. A method may include subscribing to a wireless power plan and receiving wireless power at one or more electronic devices according to a wireless power subscription.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Francesco Grilli, Roger Wayne Martin, MaryBeth Selby, David Maldonado, Stein Arne Lundby, Peng Li, Sandip S. Minhas, Khaled Helmi El-Maleh, Yair Karmi
  • Patent number: 9680315
    Abstract: An on-board control apparatus has a power generation means that has a communication part; a storage battery that is chargeable by receiving electric power from the power generation means; a control means that is configured to be communicatable with the communication part and controls charging of the storage battery; and a state-of-charge measurement means that measures a state of charge of the storage battery. The control means transmits a signal that is to prohibit charging the storage battery to the communication part when an ignition of a vehicle is turned off, and the state-of-charge measurement means measures the state of charge of the storage battery, during a period of time in which charging the storage battery is prohibited, after the ignition of the vehicle is turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryota Misumi, Akira Umemoto