Patents Issued in November 21, 2017
  • Patent number: 9825434
    Abstract: A spark gap including a capacitive energy store is provided. The spark gap is fed via a multiplicity of capacitors arranged in a form of a ring, wherein the capacitors are electrically connected to the anode and the cathode via ring-shaped and conical or funnel-shaped conductors. As a result, sudden changes in impedance can be avoided. At the same time, it is possible to realize as large a cross-sectional area of the conductor as possible within a very small space. Therefore, the spark gap has a switching response with a high rate of rise of the voltage pulse as soon as the spark gaps flash over. This results in an easily predictable switching response of the spark gap. The spark gap can be used, for example, to generate pulses of monochromatic X-ray radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Oliver Heid, Timothy Hughes, Jennifer Sirtl
  • Patent number: 9825435
    Abstract: A crimping-pressing step including (1) a step of bringing the crimping jig into contact with a to-be-crimped portion and moving the crimping jig forward such that a load acting on the crimping jig reaches a preset contact load, and (2) a buckling step of further moving the crimping jig forward by a preset distance and then stopping the crimping jig. The difference between the target moving distance of the crimping jig and its actual moving distance is reduced by adjusting at least one of the preset contact load and the preset distance on the basis of at least one of a first overshoot amount in the step (1) and a second overshoot amount in the step (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tomoki Kawai
  • Patent number: 9825436
    Abstract: The invention relates to optimize the use of electronic cabinets in connector technology, using simplified internal connector technology and flexibility in adapting the external connector technology to the connectors of the cabling assemblies—electronic and/or optical connector technologies—and on the structurally. To this end, according to an embodiment, an overall box-shaped electronic cabinet (1) that is fitted with at least one detachable interconnection module (6a, 6b) is provided with a bottom wall (14) including a bottom card (4) connected to a set of electronic modules (5). The rear wall (14) is extended by edges (14a, 14b) provided with connectors (C1a, C1b) that are capable of being coupled to the connectors (C6a, C6b) that are arranged on a side surface (62a, 62b) of the detachable interconnection module (6a) (6b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Latelec
    Inventors: Damien Morrison, Bastien Puertolas, Cyrille Delame, Gerard Boucourt, Martial Grimm, Bernard Amalric, Vincent Banasiak, Jean Charles Bernadac, Olivier Escalaup, Philippe Gri
  • Patent number: 9825437
    Abstract: An electrical power distribution system for a mobile platform, and a method for making such, includes a forming a substrate having a first panel connected to a second panel. The first panel resides in a first plane that differs from a second plan in which the second panel resides. One or more bus bars are arranged on the first panel, with one or more power electronic devices arranged on the first panel and connected to the one or more bus bars. One or more connectors are arranged on the second panel and electrically connected to the one or more bus bars. Finally, one or more thermal relief devices are arranged in contact with the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Debabrata Pal, Michael Krenz, John Horowy, Eric Karlen
  • Patent number: 9825438
    Abstract: Switchgear includes a duct by which inside portions of a plurality of cable compartments are linked each other; and a gas flow direction restriction device by which high-pressure gas is flowed only in a predetermined direction in the duct when the high-pressure gas is generated at the inside of any of the cable compartments in the plurality of cable compartments; in which the high-pressure gas can be ejected from a predetermined portion of the switchgear to the outside without increasing outer dimensions of the switchgear in accordance with an internal fault in the cable compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tadahiro Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9825439
    Abstract: As described above, a withdrawable interlock device of a vacuum circuit breaker according to the present disclosure may locate the second lever between the link and the moving plate, and thus the second lever may be engaged with an outer side of the first lever in a state that the control power connector is coupled to the control power plug not to move the moving plate through the second lever so as to maintain a state that the fitting protrusion is fitted into the fitting groove, thereby having an effect of preventing the circuit breaker body from being separated to the outside of the cradle in a state that the control power connector is coupled to the control power plug to supply power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hong Ik Yang, Han Joo Lee, Jun Youn Jo, Kil Young Ahn
  • Patent number: 9825440
    Abstract: According to typical inventive practice, a cable is grasped by a Kellum grip and is positioned through the topside “V”-notch of an “M”-structure. Two wires engage pulleys and a ratchet distanced from the pulleys. The pulleys are joined with a grip plate, attached at an axial end of the Kellum grip. The ratchet is joined with a ratchet plate, proximate and/or attached to the “M”-structure. The “M”-structure has joined therewith three blade wheels having cutting orientations in the same linear direction. The blade wheels are situated interiorly and perpendicularly in correspondence to the geometric sides of the inverted triangle defined by the “V”-notch. Each blade wheel is adjustable to suit the diameter of the cable positioned through the “V”-notch. Ratcheting of the wires moves the ratchet plate and hence the “M”-structure, resulting in creation via the blade wheels of three parallel slices in the cable along its axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Eric D. Manna
  • Patent number: 9825441
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods related to an electrical wiring installation system that has a clip assembly and at least one post coupleable to the clip assembly. The clip assembly has an upper member with a first clamping surface and a threaded receptacle, and a lower member with a second clamping surface and an aperture. The upper member and the lower member are mateable such that the first clamping surface faces the second clamping surface. The post includes a base with a wire engagement member and a threaded shaft extending from the base. The threaded shaft is configured to pass through the aperture of the lower member of the clip assembly and threadably mate with the threaded receptacle of the upper member of the clip assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: PacRim Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jill McCallum, Logan McCallum, Mathew Busch, Anthony Joseph Basile
  • Patent number: 9825442
    Abstract: A conduit system includes an open-ended sleeve with aligned openings through upper and lower walls of the sleeve for insertion of a fastener to secure the lower wall of the sleeve to a support. A cover member or bridge is inserted into the sleeve between two conduit ends to cover the opening in the upper wall after the lower wall is attached to the support, restricting access to the previously inserted fastener. The ends of two adjacent lengths of conduit to be connected are inserted into opposite ends of the sleeve to abut the opposite ends of the cover member, and the adjacent lengths of conduits are thereby attached to the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Holocom, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Beeson, Craig McCarthy
  • Patent number: 9825443
    Abstract: A power transfer unit is disclosed. In a first implementation of the disclosed power transfer unit, a tubular assembly of the power transfer unit includes an encapsulated elbow hinge design with a reduced profile that permits substantially off-center installation of the housings of the power transfer unit. In a second implementation of the disclosed power transfer unit, the tubular assembly includes an inverted, telescoping tubing design that does not come apart during installation and use, and in some implementations may act as a stop for a closable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: ARCHITECTURAL BUILDERS HARDWARE MFG., INC.
    Inventors: Ankit Kirti Shah, Kanav Mahesh Chhatbar
  • Patent number: 9825444
    Abstract: An electrical wire cover prevents the tip of a tie member from being inserted between electrical wires when multiple electrical wires are wrapped by the tie member, and it protects and leads electrical wires to the outside. The electrical wire cover includes an electrical wire insertion portion into which the electrical wires are inserted; a tie member insertion portion provided on the outer circumferential side of the electrical wire insertion portion, and into which a tie member is inserted; a tie member lead-out portion by which the tie member is led to the outside of the electrical wire insertion portion; and an electrical wire fixing portion provided on the outer circumferential side of the electrical wire insertion portion, and that fixes the electrical wires by wrapping them along with the tie member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naomichi Kawashima, Naotaka Tanikawa
  • Patent number: 9825445
    Abstract: An electric device includes a housing and a clamp. The housing has a port through which a cable is led. The clamp has inter-connectable first and second clamping bodies. Each clamping body has clamping ribs. The clamping bodies are interconnected to one another causing the clamping ribs to interlock with one another around the cable to thereby fix the clamp to the cable. The clamp is situated at an opening of the port with the clamping bodies being within the port and the clamp is fastened to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Kostal Kontakt Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Metzler, Michael Schricker
  • Patent number: 9825446
    Abstract: An electrical box mounting bracket includes a mounting frame having a central opening. A removable support member is coupled to an inner edge of the central opening by a frangible tab. A removable extension member is coupled to the support member by a frangible tab that can be removed and attached to an end of the support member. A cable guide is coupled to an inner edge of the central opening by a first fold line and is bendable to a position for supporting a cable. The cable guide has a body or support plate with a plurality of adjacent cable openings with a retaining tab between two adjacent cable openings. The retaining tab is bendable from a first open position for inserting a cable into the cable openings and a second closed position to retain the cable in the cable openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Krzysztof W. Korcz, Steven J. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9825447
    Abstract: An electrical junction box includes a housing that defines an internal space. The housing has a front, which is open. A buss bar is coupled to the housing and is positioned in the internal space. A plurality of connectors is coupled to the buss bar and extends through a respective opposing side of the housing. A plurality of couplers is coupled to the buss bar. The couplers are positioned on a front face of the buss bar. The connectors are configured for insertion of wires, such that the wires are coupled to the buss bar and the buss bar is coupled to an electrical circuit. The couplers are configured for insertion of wiring that is coupled to an electrical device, such as a switch, light, fan or outlet. The wiring is coupled to the buss bar and the electrical device is coupled to the electrical circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventor: William Gorman
  • Patent number: 9825448
    Abstract: An electrical raceway assembly including a substrate engaging member having an upper region, an intermediate region, a lower region, an inner surface and an outer surface; a signage engaging member having an upper region, an intermediate region, a lower region, an inner surface and an outer surface; wherein the upper region of the substrate engaging member and the upper region of the signage engaging member are releasably secured to each other; and wherein the lower region of the substrate engaging member includes a segment that regulates positioning of the lower region of the signage engaging member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventor: Clayton Dean VanVolkinburg
  • Patent number: 9825449
    Abstract: A clamp assembly includes a body member having a first and second ends. A cable groove is formed in the body member between the first and second ends thereof to receive a conductor. A keeper is connected to the body member and has a lower surface to engage the conductor received in the cable groove. A threaded fastener connects the keeper to the body member. A biasing member is disposed between the keeper and the body member on the threaded fastener to bias the keeper in a direction away from the body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Seydou Diop, Paul Francis Zelazny, Samuel Paul Reynolds
  • Patent number: 9825450
    Abstract: A method for attaching a contact element comprises steps for providing an electrical conductor with a conductive core and an insulating sheath, for detaching a sheath section of the sheath in an end region of the conductor for displacing the sheath section against the core in such a way that the sheath section protrudes beyond a longitudinal end of the core, and for crimping a contact element to the end region of the conductor in such a way that at least a part of the sheath section is being enclosed between the contact element and the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignees: TE Connectivity Germany GmbH, TE Connectivity Corporation
    Inventors: Dominic Anthony Farole, Antonio Lehner
  • Patent number: 9825451
    Abstract: The apparatus 50 comprises a flange 52 which is fastened to a housing 12, a cable clamp 54 which has a first through hole through which the cable 14 is passed and which is arranged between the housing 12 and the flange 52, and an elastic member 56 which has a second through hole through which the cable 14 is passed and which is arranged between the housing 12 and the cable clamp 54. The flange 2 has a cable hole 66 which opens at an outer peripheral edge of the flange 52 and holds the cable 14. The elastic member 56 is sandwiched between the cable clamp 54 and the housing 12 when the flange 52 is fastened to the housing 12, elastically deforms, holds the cable 14 at the inside of the second through hole, and seals the cable lead-out hole 66.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hirosato Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9825452
    Abstract: An apparatus may include a sensor housing, a light sensor disposed within the sensor housing, the light sensor arranged to generate a detection signal when light impinges on the light sensor, a sensor lens disposed at least partially outside the sensor housing, wherein a distal portion of the sensor lens extends a first distance above the sensor housing, the sensor lens being transparent, wherein light received from outside the sensor housing is transmitted to the light sensor; and a light emitter assembly disposed outside the sensor housing at a second distance above the housing less than the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Niels Holmgaard, Jakob Seedorff
  • Patent number: 9825453
    Abstract: A protection mode control circuit includes an auto-restart counter configured to count the cycle of a first signal in a protection condition and to generate an auto-restart signal when a result of the count reaches a protection reference value and a latch mode unit configured to generate a latch mode signal for changing protection mode to latch mode when the auto-restart signal is consecutively generated by a predetermined threshold number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Fairchild Korea Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Won-Tae Lee, Ji-Hoon Jang, Hyeong Seok Baek, Hang-Seok Choi
  • Patent number: 9825454
    Abstract: A protection device for protecting an electronic device includes a current sensing module, for detecting a current flowing through a power supply path of the electronic device to generate a current signal; a processing device, coupled to the current sensing module, for receiving the current signal to determine whether the current corresponding to the current signal is greater than a first threshold value and outputting a control signal accordingly; a first switch, disposed on the power supply path, for controlling the power supply path to be switched on or off according to an input voltage of the power supply path; and a first control module, coupled to the processing device and the first switch, for controlling the first switch to be turned on or off according to the control signal outputted by the processing device, in order to control the power supply path to be switched on or off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Chao-Hsin Chang, Meng-Jeong Pan
  • Patent number: 9825455
    Abstract: A robotic catheter control system includes a plurality of electric motors. Diagnostic logic automatically detects motor runaway fault conditions based on the current motor position, the target motor position and a predetermined tolerance parameter. Fault conditions include overshoot, movement in the a non-prescribed direction, exceeding a prescribed maximum motor speed and exceeding a prescribed maximum motor acceleration. The diagnostic logic terminates operating power to the electric motor when a fault condition is detected for any one of the motor. An error message is generated to notify the operator of the fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Kulbir S. Sandhu, Atila Amiri, Otto Chiu, Samuel Gee
  • Patent number: 9825456
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus, a power supply apparatus, and a power supply method. The electronic apparatus may include a controller to provide a control signal to generate a multiphase signal through conversion of an input power and to receive a feedback of an output voltage that is generated using the multiphase signal; and a power supply including a plurality of unit converters having upper and lower switching elements of a half or full-bridge type, being operated by the control signal, and configured to provide the output voltage by the multiphase signal generated according to driving of the plurality of unit converters, wherein the power supply detects whether the upper and lower switching elements are simultaneously turned on in the plurality of unit inverters and turns off the operation of the unit converters according to the detection result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jeong-gyu Park
  • Patent number: 9825457
    Abstract: An autonomous breaker can apply a current through a high impedance source to a bus coupled to either end of a breaker in order to measure an impedance of the bus. The status of the bus can be determined from the measurement. Based on the determined status, a fault detection procedure can be selected and implemented to determine if a fault exists on the bus. When the fault detection procedure has been implemented and no fault has been detected, the breaker can close, and thus couple the bus to another bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignees: Transocean Sedco Forex Ventures Limited, Aspin Kemp & Associates
    Inventors: Edward Peter Kenneth Bourgeau, Jason Aspin
  • Patent number: 9825458
    Abstract: A device is provided for intrinsically safe redundant current supply of field devices with a common current-limiting resistor in the mesh of the field device and with redundant current supply units. A current sensor can be provided in the mesh of the field device, the output signal of which sensor is connected to a controllable voltage source in the redundant current supply units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventor: Frank Marks
  • Patent number: 9825459
    Abstract: An electrical coupling device, such as a surge protector for a rail or other conductive structure, includes a pair of terminals, and a jumper for selectively electrically coupling and decoupling the terminals. Movement of the jumper may expose part of the jumper or one or both of the terminals, such as for use as a test point. A surge module with one or more surge protection features may fit into a base that includes the terminal and the jumper. The module may have an interface feature, such as a protruding post, that prevents engagement with the base if the base is not properly engaged with the rail or other structure. In one embodiment, a threaded rod may serve as the jumper and in one position electrically couples the terminals and in another position electrically decouples the terminals and one end of the threaded rod becomes exposed for use as a test point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: ERICO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ernest Richard-Dean Buehman, Nicholas J. Ambrogio, Daniel Watson, Daniel A. Pfaff, Thomas R. Bockstoce
  • Patent number: 9825460
    Abstract: A cable drop compensation circuit includes a current detection circuit, a compensation judgment circuit, and a compensation circuit. The current detection circuit detects a load current supplied to a load by a DC output circuit, so as to generate a current detection signal. The compensation judgment circuit receives the current detection signal, and generates a judgment signal when judging the load current higher than a predetermined compensation value. When receiving the judgment signal, the compensation circuit generates a compensation signal. In response to the compensation signal, the DC output circuit raises an output voltage by a compensation voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: GREEN SOLUTION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chen-Hsung Wang, Che Wang, Shian-Sung Shiu, Zhong-Wei Liu
  • Patent number: 9825461
    Abstract: A modular direct current power distribution network includes a first power distribution block including a first housing, a first main power storage device enclosed within the housing, a first plurality of device connection ports in the housing, and at least one first transistor controlling the connection from the first main power storage device to the first plurality of device connection ports, at least one external device, the at least one external device having a power exchange port electrically connected to a device connection port of the first plurality of device connection ports and an individual power storage device electrically connected to the power exchange port, and a first controller configured to sense a load sharing threshold event matching a load sharing threshold, and to modify the state of the at least one first transistor in response to the load sharing threshold condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventors: Todd W Hodrinsky, Roger Whyte, Phil Ameen, Li Peifang
  • Patent number: 9825462
    Abstract: When some failure occurs in the case where power interchange is performed among grids, an alternate route is searched at high speed in consideration of a deficiency/excess amount of power. A power network system has a plurality of power routers (1-7), power transmission lines (100-111) connecting the power routers, a controller (8), a communication network (10), and communication lines (11). The controller (8) obtains a reception electric energy and a transmission electric energy in the power routers (1-7), detects a failure due to a fault in, for example, the power router (4), and searches for an alternate route to solve deficiency/excess power caused by the failure occurrence. Concretely, an alternate route is searched while following a power router having excessive power as a root node by a breadth first search, and transmitting the deficiency/excess power and an allowable power transmission capacity in each of the power routers to an adjacent power router.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Norio Yamagaki
  • Patent number: 9825463
    Abstract: A device for monitoring the properties of an electrical grid including an electrical connector for coupling to the electrical grid through a wall socket, a detector for detecting at least one property of electricity provided by the electrical grid, a receiver for receiving clock signals, and a sampler for sampling a respective detected property and recording sampled values in a memory, wherein the variation of the values with time represents a waveform of the respective property and the sampler samples at a rate sufficient to record variations of the property within a period of the waveform, wherein the device associates at least a portion of the sampled values with at least one clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: The MITRE Corporation
    Inventors: Sean McDaniel, Peter Weed
  • Patent number: 9825464
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for managing electric devices, and a mobile device and a system adapted to the method are provided. The electric device management system includes an electric power supply, a plurality of electric devices that are arranged in an area and receive electric power from the electric power supply, and a device management apparatus for providing information regarding the electric devices and at least one operation schedule of electric devices based on the entire amount of electric power planned to be consumed by the electric devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kangmin Lee, Jihyeon Kweon, Seokmin Oh, Hyungrae Cho, Yousef Kharsim
  • Patent number: 9825465
    Abstract: A voltage monitoring control device includes: a transceiver unit communicating with local voltage control devices adjusting a control amount of voltage control apparatuses that control a voltage on a power distribution line in a high-voltage system every second cycle based on a command value updated every first cycle; an indicatable-range updating unit determining an indicatable range, which is a range of reactive power indicatable to the local voltage control device, based on a control result received via the transceiver unit from the local voltage control device that controls a reactive-power-modified voltage control apparatus, the control result being a limit-value time or a limit-value-time ratio; and a reactive-power determination unit determining a reactive-power command value, which is a command value updated every first cycle based on the indicatable range and transmitted, via the transceiver unit, to the local voltage control device that controls the reactive-power-modified voltage control apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nobuhiko Itaya
  • Patent number: 9825466
    Abstract: A power supply device includes a power supply unit that wirelessly supplies power, a communication unit that communicates with an electronic device, and a control unit that controls the communication unit to transmit a predetermined data to the electronic device based on whether or not the electronic device is connected to an external device supplying power to the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yudai Fukaya
  • Patent number: 9825467
    Abstract: A building energy control system and method are provided. The building energy control system may include a user interface unit configured to display an energy control situation and an energy control guide that corresponds to the energy control situation to manage a building and a facility, and to receive an input according to the energy control guide and an energy control unit configured to control energy consumption in the building and the facility through control of the building and facility according to the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: LG CNS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Daniel Lee
  • Patent number: 9825468
    Abstract: A fully integrated circuit configuration that can be used to control the power path of a number of PMOS load switches is described. The circuit has a unique feature that it can automatically select the input voltage to be presented to the VOUT pin based upon the voltage levels at the respective VIN pins. By using combinations of the EN input pin and the SEL input pin, the circuit can be configured to perform one of four functional behaviors: 1. Complete shutdown (both switches in the OFF position), 2. Automatic input selection according the voltage levels that are presented on the VIN pins, 3. Selection of the VIN1 input only, or 4. Selection of the VIN2 input only. This concept is extended to multiple input sources in further embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: GLF Integrated Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen W. Bryson, Ni Sun
  • Patent number: 9825469
    Abstract: An equipment power management system in accordance with the present invention has a plurality of electrical devices and a control device. The electrical devices can operate in any one of multiple operational states different from each other in power consumption of a commercial power source. The control device switches the operational state of an electrical device to that of a smaller power consumption of the commercial power source in ascending order from the electrical device of the lowest priority when a receiving power amount of the whole equipment including the plurality of electrical devices exceeds a first threshold value until the receiving power amount falls below a second threshold value which is lower than or equal to the first threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jun Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 9825470
    Abstract: A multi-source power converter is proposed to permit bidirectional DC to AC conversion from n (n?2 and n?) DC voltage sources to an AC load with a reduced number of switches, and DC to DC conversion. Both single and three phases AC load are considered. The proposed topology consists in a single stage of conversion, and therefore a high efficiency can be expected for the system. Any type of DC sources can be used in the system (fuel-cell, battery, ultra-capacitor, photo-voltaic cells, DC bus, DC to DC or AC to DC converter, etc.). The AC load can be either single or three phases (single-phase AC grid/microgrid, three-phase electric machines, induction machine, synchronous machine, etc.). There is no requirement for the n DC voltage source values; they can be equal or different and they can be used individually or together by the converter to generate the AC output. If different DC voltage values are used, the converter can be controlled to generate a multi-level AC voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: McMaster University
    Inventors: Ali Emadi, Pierre Magne
  • Patent number: 9825471
    Abstract: Systems for tuning a wireless power transfer system are provided, which may include any number of features. In one embodiment, a TET system includes a receive resonator is adapted to be implanted in a human patient and is configured to receive wireless power from a transmit resonator. The system can include a controller configured to identify if a foreign object is interfering with the transmission of power or generating an induced voltage in the receive resonator. The controller can also be configured to control the transmit resonator to phase match with the foreign object. Methods of use are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: THORATEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: John Freddy Hansen
  • Patent number: 9825472
    Abstract: A device for detecting a short beacon signal includes a power-receiving unit (PRU) to receive the short beacon signal from one or more power-transmitting units (PTUs). An active load level is asserted for detection by the one or more PTUs in response to the short beacon signal. The active load level, once asserted, makes a detectable change in a reflected impedance associated with the PRU as measured by at least one of the one or more PTUs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES GENERAL IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: John S. Walley, Angel Arturo Polo
  • Patent number: 9825473
    Abstract: A power supply ECU controls a converter to have a first control region in which a voltage is raised as a coupling coefficient is larger, and a second control region in which the voltage is maintained at a rating irrespective of a coupling coefficient. An ECU controls a converter such that an input impedance of the converter attains a prescribed value in the first control region and controls the converter such that received electric power becomes close to a target by changing the input impedance in the second control region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuji Hayashi, Hiroaki Yuasa
  • Patent number: 9825474
    Abstract: A secondary battery system including plural batteries, extends the lifetime of each battery, and improves the charge/discharge (energy) efficiency of a whole system is provided. A secondary battery system includes plural batteries individually controllable for charging/discharging, plural PCSs each connected to the corresponding battery and performing charging/discharging to the connected battery, and a battery controller distributing a charge/discharge power value as a whole system to each of the PCSs at a fixed cycle or an arbitrary timing. The battery controller includes a preference order calculator setting a preference order to the plural batteries at each time point based on a deterioration characteristic of each battery related to each SOC thereof, and a distribution rate determining unit distributing the charge/discharge power value to the PCSs in accordance with the preference order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Masahiro Tohara, Yoshito Sameda, Mami Mizutani, Tamotsu Endo
  • Patent number: 9825475
    Abstract: A rechargeable power cell having no voltage across its positive and negative power terminals unless the power cell is inserted into a device configured to accept the power cell is described. The power cell includes a battery management processor and battery insertion detection circuitry that cooperate to determine when the power cell is inserted into the device and then drive an electronic switch to provide for conduction of current from the power cell to the positive terminal of the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Zoll Circulation, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Smith, Jeffrey Resnick
  • Patent number: 9825476
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles to provide a charging cradle or base station that includes one or more movable electrical contacts. Generally, each of the movable contacts protrudes through an opening in a surface of the cradle only when a cordless electrical device is positioned on or within the cradle. When the cordless electrical device is not positioned on or within the cradle, the one or more movable contacts are retracted inside the body of the cradle such that the movable contacts cannot be bumped or hit by the reader during insertion of the reader into the cradle and during removal of the reader from cradle. Systems, methods, and articles to provide a charging cradle or base station with selectively removable electrical contacts are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: DATALOGIC IP TECH, S.R.L.
    Inventor: Claudio Mazzone
  • Patent number: 9825477
    Abstract: A battery monitoring device monitors a battery having a plurality of cell groups in which a plurality of cells is connected in series. The battery monitoring device comprises at one or more integrated circuit units, each of which corresponds to each cell group, that respectively measure the voltages of the cells of the cell group and performs cell balancing in order to adjust the capacities of the cells of the cell group; a control unit that controls the integrated circuit unit; and a power supply unit that supplies power to the control unit. The control unit causes the integrated circuit unit to start or to stop cell balancing, and sets a timer period for starting or stopping supply of the power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Hikaru Miura, Akihiko Kudo
  • Patent number: 9825478
    Abstract: A power system within a portable electronic device is disclosed. In order to discharge electricity stored in a rechargeable battery within the portable electronic device to a discharge cutoff voltage, a charge booster charges the rechargeable battery with electric power coming from an AC/DC adaptor. When the AC/DC adaptor is detached, the charge booster performs boosting operation to supply power to a load from the rechargeable battery. The charge booster operates only when input voltage of the load decreases. A direct discharge circuit operates in conjunction with the charge booster, and when the charge booster does not perform any boosting operation, electric power is supplied directly from the rechargeable battery to a DC/DC converter. The charge booster can keep the input voltage of the DC/DC converter until the voltage reaches a discharge cutoff voltage of the rechargeable battery, and then stops operation when electric power is being supplied from the direct discharge circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTD LTE
    Inventors: Shigefumi Odaohhara, Nozomu Nagata
  • Patent number: 9825479
    Abstract: A charging/discharging control system of an energy storage apparatus includes a weather information collection module, a load information collection module, a load grouping module which classifies a plurality of loads into at least one load group based on a load correlation according to a predetermined condition, and an energy storage apparatus charging/discharging control module which determines a battery charging or discharging level per time slot of each of a plurality of energy storage apparatuses by using at least one of an estimated load amount of each load per time slot, a battery charging amount of the energy storage apparatus per time slot via solar generation, and a battery charging amount per time slot via system power, wherein a particular load corresponding to a lowest rate for a unit load is determined by using battery charging/discharging information and power rate information per time slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: KT Corporation
    Inventors: Min-Gyung Kim, Min-Jin Lee
  • Patent number: 9825480
    Abstract: An apparatus for performing hybrid power control in an electronic device includes a charger positioned in the electronic device, and the charger is arranged for selectively charging a battery of the electronic device. In addition, at least one portion of the charger is implemented within a charger chip. For example, the charger may include: a first terminal, positioned on the charger chip; a second terminal, positioned on the charger chip and selectively coupled to the first terminal; a third terminal, positioned on the charger chip and selectively coupled to the second terminal; a fourth terminal, positioned on the charger chip and coupled to the third terminal; a first power output path, coupled to the fourth terminal, arranged for providing a first voltage level; and a second power output path, coupled to the third terminal, arranged for selectively providing a second voltage level that is greater than the first voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventor: Nien-Hui Kung
  • Patent number: 9825481
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates operation of a power adapter in hiccup mode. The system includes a bleeding mechanism that reduces a hiccup time of the hiccup mode by increasing a leakage current of the power adapter. The system also includes an activation mechanism that activates the bleeding mechanism upon detecting a voltage drop associated with the hiccup mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kisun Lee, Bharat K. Patel, Abby Cherian
  • Patent number: 9825482
    Abstract: Provided is an electromagnetic booster for wireless charging, comprising a magnet part having a magnetic sheet (10) and a coil part (20) disposed on the magnetic sheet, wherein the magnetic sheet is composed of a first magnetic sheet (11) member located at an edge portion and a second magnetic sheet member (12) located in a center portion on the same plane, wherein the first magnetic sheet member and the second magnetic sheet member have different permeability rates from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Soon Young Hyun, Seok Bae, Don Chul Choi, So Yeon Kim, Ji Yeon Song, Jai Hoon Yeom, Nam Yang Lee, Hyung Eui Lee
  • Patent number: 9825483
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a charging station for inductive charging of an electrical device having a rechargeable battery and a receiving induction coil. The charging station comprises: a housing comprising a plurality of panels forming an interior volume arranged to host the electrical device; a plurality of primary transmitting induction coils; and a controller arranged to excite the plurality of primary transmitting induction coils with charging current; wherein each of the plurality of primary transmitting induction coils is arranged at a separate panel of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Mobile Communications Inc.
    Inventors: Zhinong Ying, Turan Caliskan, Thomas Bolin