Plural Means Intermittently Or Selectively Operated Patents (Class 219/508)
  • Patent number: 12277518
    Abstract: One variation of a food production station includes: a manual assembly zone; an autonomous assembly zone; and a controller. The manual assembly zone includes: a prep surface; and a receptacle configured to receive a sequence of food hoppers configured to store ingredients for manual preparation of food products on the prep surface. The autonomous assembly zone includes: a sequence of module housings supporting the prep surface and configured to house a sequence of food dispensing modules configured to dispense ingredients into food containers; and a conveyor located within the sequence of module housings and configured to transfer food containers along the sequence of food dispensing modules for dispensation of ingredients into food containers. The controller is configured to: receive food orders; and coordinate motion of the conveyor and trigger the sequence of food dispensing modules to dispense ingredients into food containers to assemble food products according to food orders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: Hyphen Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Pietz, Abram Simon, Stephen Klein, Daniel Fukuba
  • Patent number: 12269699
    Abstract: A splicing apparatus for splicing together an engaged paper sheet with a replenishing paper sheet in a paperboard corner manufacturing system, the apparatus comprising: an engaged sheet holder for holding the engaged paper sheet; an engaged sheet cutter for cutting the engaged paper sheet to form a free engaged paper end; a replenishing sheet holder for holding the replenishing paper sheet; a replenishing sheet cutter for cutting the replenishing paper sheet to form a free replenishing paper end; a sheet end alignment device for positioning both free engaged and replenishing paper ends relative to each other and substantially aligned with each other; an adhesive tape applicator for applying an adhesive tape simultaneously to the aligned free engaged and replenishing paper ends such that the adhesive tape extends partially over the engaged and replenishing paper sheets to join the free replenishing paper end to the free engaged paper end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: ABZAC CANADA INC.
    Inventors: Jean Tardy, Samuel Lagotte, Laurent Dudoit
  • Patent number: 12200825
    Abstract: An inductive power system including an inductive power transmitter coupled to a non-conductive medium, and a power cord that electrically couples the transmitter to an AC power source. The inductive power transmitter is configured to emit an electromagnetic field based on the received AC power. There is an inductive power receiver coupled to the non-conductive medium and separated from the transmitter, wherein the receiver is configured to receive the electromagnetic field after it has passed through the non-conductive medium and in response develop power. A power cord electrically couples the developed power to a power sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Inventors: David Simpson, Linda Kennyhertz
  • Patent number: 12161267
    Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to a heated towel rack that includes at least one lateral support, at least one forced air heating unit in fluid communication with a channel within a lateral support, and at least one cross bar coupled to the at least one lateral support. The at least one cross bar including at least one vent that traverses into a conduit within the cross bar. The channel is in fluid communication with the at least one vent by way of the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Vistarock Holdings LLC
    Inventor: James Joseph Wallander
  • Patent number: 12114400
    Abstract: A heating control circuit configured to control power of an electric heating element, comprises a temperature sensing element, having positive temperature coefficient (“PTC”) characteristics and configured to sense a temperature of the electric heating element to generate a temperature voltage, a first comparison circuit, configured to compare the temperature voltage with a reference voltage to generate a comparison signal, a controller, configured to output an on-off control signal according to the comparison signal; and a first switching element, coupled into a ground loop of the electric heating element and configured to switch on or off a power loop of the electric heating element based on the on-off control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: North Star Home LLC
    Inventor: Min Zhou
  • Patent number: 12105465
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus is configured to sandwich one or more sheet media in a two-ply sheet in which two sheets are overlaid and bonded together at a portion of the two-ply sheet. The sheet processing apparatus includes circuitry configured to control insertion processing to insert the one or more sheet media into the two-ply sheet based on a length of the two-ply sheet in a conveyance direction, a length of one of the one or more sheet media in the conveyance direction, and a number of the one or more sheet media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wataru Takahashi, Tomohiro Furuhashi, Sho Asano, Yoshito Suzuki, Shinya Monma, Johji Akiyama, Yohsuke Haraguchi, Wataru Nozaki
  • Patent number: 11981525
    Abstract: A sheet processing device sandwiches a sheet-shaped medium in a two-ply sheet in which two sheets are overlaid and partially bonded. The sheet processing device includes a separator, a conveyor, and a switching member. The separator separates the two sheets of the two-ply sheet. The conveyor is disposed downstream from the separator in a sheet conveyance direction and conveys the two-ply sheet. The switching member is disposed downstream from the conveyor in the sheet conveyance direction. The switching member switches a conveyance path of the two-ply sheet to convey the two-ply sheet to a fixing path on which fixing processing is performed on the two-ply sheet or a non-fixing path on which no fixing processing is performed on the two-ply sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshito Suzuki, Tomohiro Furuhashi, Wataru Takahashi, Sho Asano, Shinya Monma, Joji Akiyama, Wataru Nozaki, Yohsuke Haraguchi, Yuji Suzuki, Yuusuke Shibasaki, Takuya Morinaga
  • Patent number: 11975520
    Abstract: A sheet processing device is configured to separate a non-bonding portion of a two-ply sheet in which two sheets are overlapped and bonded together at one end as a bonding portion of the two-ply sheet. The sheet processing device includes a first sheet feeder configured to feed the two-ply sheet, a second sheet feeder configured to feed an inner sheet to be inserted between the two sheets of the two-ply sheet in a state in which the non-bonding portion of the two-ply sheet is separated, and circuitry configured to cause the first sheet feeder to feed the two-ply sheet, perform a sheet separating operation on the two-ply sheet to separate the non-bonding portion of the two-ply sheet, and cause the second sheet feeder to start feeding the inner sheet before completion of the sheet separating operation on the two-ply sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Joji Akiyama, Tomohiro Furuhashi, Wataru Takahashi, Sho Asano, Yoshito Suzuki, Shinya Monma, Yohsuke Haraguchi, Wataru Nozaki
  • Patent number: 11926133
    Abstract: A sheet laminator includes a sheet lamination device, a heater, and circuitry. The sheet lamination device performs a sheet laminating operation on an object by application of heat and pressure. The heater heats the sheet lamination device. The circuitry changes between a first mode in which the heater constantly heats the sheet lamination device while the sheet lamination device is turned on and a second mode in which the heater starts heating the sheet lamination device in response to a request of the sheet laminating operation and stops heating the sheet lamination device after a given time has elapsed from completion of the sheet laminating operation. The circuitry adjusts the given time in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Shinya Monma, Keisuke Sugiyama, Tomohiro Furuhashi, Wataru Takahashi, Ruki Midorikawa, Sho Asano
  • Patent number: 11929241
    Abstract: Temperature measurement is described for a substrate carrier using a heater element array. In one example a method includes measuring a first combined current load of each of a plurality of heating elements in the electrostatic chuck, changing a power status of a first heating element of the plurality of heating elements, measuring a second combined current load of each of the plurality of heating elements after changing the power status of the first heating element, determining the difference between the first and second combined current loads, determining a temperature of the first heating element using the difference, and reverting the power status of the first heating element to that before the change and repeating changing power, measuring a current load, determining a difference, and determining a temperature for each of the other heating elements of the plurality to determine a temperature at each of the heating elements of the plurality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Criminale, Zhiqiang Guo
  • Patent number: 11899389
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes circuitry configured to acquire a size of a two-ply sheet, in which two sheets are bonded together at one end, and a size of an insertion sheet; and control a sheet processing operation based on the size of the two-ply sheet and the size of the insertion sheet. The sheet processing operation includes inserting the insertion sheet in the two-ply sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuya Morinaga, Takahiro Matsuda
  • Patent number: 11851301
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus laminates a partially joined two-ply sheet and a sheet medium inserted in the two-ply sheet. The sheet processing apparatus includes a heat presser, an information acquisition device, and control circuitry. The heat presser heats and presses the two-ply sheet and the sheet medium. The information acquisition device acquires information on the two-ply sheet and the sheet medium. The control circuitry sets a fixing temperature of the heat presser in accordance with the information of the two-ply sheet and the sheet medium acquired by the information acquisition device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wataru Nozaki, Tomohiro Furuhashi, Yoshito Suzuki, Wataru Takahashi, Shinya Monma, Joji Akiyama, Yohsuke Haraguchi, Sho Asano
  • Patent number: 11834195
    Abstract: An example system includes a common mode pneumatic event detector to detect a common mode pneumatic event at pitot tubes of an aircraft, a latch, a relay switch in communication with the latch, and a latch controller to set the latch in a first state to cause the latch to output a first latch signal, the relay switch to output a first pressure signal in response to the first latch signal, the first pressure signal based on pressure data from the pitot tubes, and set the latch in a second state to cause the latch to output a second latch signal based on the detection of the common mode pneumatic event. The relay switch is to output a second pressure signal in response to the second latch signal. The second pressure signal includes estimated pressure data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Sherwin Chunshek Li, Leonard John Inderhees, Russell T. Bridgewater, Robert Erik Freeman, Rostyslav Oleksiy Svitelskyi, William Tyler Piersol
  • Patent number: 11793366
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a towel maintenance device for storing and keeping a towel and for heating and drying the towel stored and kept therein. The towel maintenance device—provides a structure in which heated air flows in a first staying space formed in a heat transfer plate and heats the heat transfer plate, thereby allowing a textile product such as a towel and the like in contact with the heat transfer plate to be heated based on thermal conduction, and the heated air discharged through a communicating hole of the heat transfer plate is discharged while passing through the textile product such as a towel and the like or flows around the textile product such as a towel and the like, thereby allowing the product to be dried to be heated based on convection. The towel maintenance device according to the present disclosure enables entire objects to be dried to be rapidly heated and dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jong Seok Kim, Daeyun Park, Inhyung Yang
  • Patent number: 11757447
    Abstract: A sensor element device for an operating device having a luminous display comprises a sensor element for a capacitive touch switch, a light guide for the luminous display, having an input region and an emission region, and light-nontransmissive shielding material which encloses the light guide except for the input region and the emission region. It furthermore comprises a lower side and an upper side, as well as at least one metallic sensor element. The sensor element extends from the lower side to the upper side. The sensor element device forms an integrated module with the light guide, shielding material and sensor element. The sensor element projects as far as a plane of the lower side. No part of the sensor element device protrudes downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: E.G.O. Elektro-Geraetebau GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Rupp, Dennis Schmid, Siegbert Wein
  • Patent number: 11732890
    Abstract: A cooking appliance and method of operating the same utilize a multi-level valve system that regulates an output power level of a gas burner for an oven between a maximum output power level and at least one reduced output power level to selectively reduce the output power level of the gas burner during at least a portion of an oven warm-up operation, e.g., to improve burner operating characteristics during the oven warm-up operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Richard W. Cowan, Cameron James Wyatt
  • Patent number: 11718081
    Abstract: A sheet separation device includes a rotator, a nipping member to nip the two-ply sheet with the rotator, a first conveyor to convey the two-ply sheet in a first direction toward the rotator and a second direction reverse thereto, a winding member to wind the two-ply sheet around the rotator, a second conveyor to convey a sheet medium in the second direction, a separation claw to move in a width direction; a sheet guide to guide the separated two sheets to different passages; and control circuitry. The first conveyor conveys the two-ply sheet to the rotator with a bonded portion at an upstream end. The control circuitry inserts the separation claw into a space between the two sheets, adjusts a projection amount of the two-ply sheet from a nip of the first conveyor in the second direction, and inserts the sheet medium in two-ply sheet adjusted in the projection amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wataru Takahashi, Tomohiro Furuhashi, Michitaka Suzuki, Tomomichi Hoshino, Fumiharu Yoneyama, Kazuyoshi Matsuo, Makoto Hidaka, Koki Sakano, Akira Kunieda, Takahiro Watanabe, Takuya Morinaga, Yohsuke Haraguchi
  • Patent number: 11705347
    Abstract: A thermal regulator for controlling temperature of a substantially circular stage comprising a plurality of first segments and a plurality of second segments in a radial direction and in a circumferential direction, each of the first segments and at least two adjacent second segments defining a set of segments, the thermal regulator includes heaters disposed in the first and second segments, respectively, thermal sensors disposed in the first segments, respectively, a controller configured to control the heaters in response to temperatures determined by the thermal sensors, and a segment switch to switch the second segments to be controlled in conjunction with the first segment in each set of segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Katsuyuki Koizumi
  • Patent number: 11679582
    Abstract: A sheet processing device includes a conveyor, a rotator, a separator, and control circuitry. The conveyor conveys a sheet-shaped medium into a two-ply sheet in which two sheets are overlaid and partially bonded, and includes a drive roller and a driven roller. The rotator winds the two-ply sheet. The separator separates the two sheets of the two-ply sheet. The control circuitry causes the conveyor to convey the two-ply sheet in a winding direction to wind the two-ply sheet around the rotator to generate a space between the two sheets, and causes the separator to insert into the space between the two sheets to separate the two sheets. The drive roller and the rotator are disposed on a same side with respect to a sheet conveyance passage of the two-ply sheet, and the driven roller and the rotator are disposed on opposite sides with respect to the sheet conveyance passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Suzuka Fujita, Tomohiro Furuhashi, Wataru Takahashi, Yoshito Suzuki, Shinya Monma, Joji Akiyama, Yohsuke Haraguchi, Sho Asano, Wataru Nozaki
  • Patent number: 11674421
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an exhaust gas aftertreatment system for treating exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine. The exhaust gas aftertreatment system includes an exhaust gas catalyst that includes an exhaust gas catalysis portion and a heating element. The heating element is configured to heat the exhaust gas catalysis portion. The exhaust gas aftertreatment system also includes: a voltage source which supplies the heating element with electric power for heating the heating element, and a DC to DC converter which is configured to control the electric power supply from the voltage source to the heating element. The exhaust gas aftertreatment system also includes a control unit which is configured to control the DC to DC converter based on the required electric power to heat the exhaust gas catalysis portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Vitesco Technologies GmbH
    Inventor: Aurelian Kotlar
  • Patent number: 11642878
    Abstract: A laminating device inserts a sheet-shaped medium into a two-ply sheet in which two sheets are overlaid and partially bonded, and includes a loader, a fixing device, and control circuitry. The loader loads the sheet-shaped medium or a cleaning sheet. The fixing device laminates the two-ply sheet in which the sheet-shaped medium is sandwiched between the two sheets of the two-ply sheet. The control circuitry performs a cleaning mode of conveying a plurality of cleaning sheets from the loader to clean the fixing device. The cleaning mode is to convey a subsequent cleaning sheet of the plurality of cleaning sheets at a position different from a position of a preceding cleaning sheet of the plurality of cleaning sheets in a direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of the plurality of cleaning sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Monma, Tomohiro Furuhashi, Wataru Takahashi, Sho Asano, Yoshito Suzuki, Joji Akiyama, Yohsuke Haraguchi, Wataru Nozaki, Suzuka Fujita
  • Patent number: 11638344
    Abstract: A circuit board is disclosed that has a pre-warming function. The circuit board includes a substrate and one or more conductive paths embedded in the substrate. The one or more electrically conductive paths include a logic control circuit containing a heating element and a temperature-sensitive element configured to control the heating element and deliver an input when the temperature-sensitive element has reached a threshold temperature. The one or more electrically conductive paths further includes a heater power circuit configured to deliver power to the logic control circuit. The one or more electrically conductive paths further includes an operational power circuit configured to switch off power to the heater power circuit and switch on power to the operational power circuit upon a delivery of the input from the logic control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Amos Veltkamp
  • Patent number: 11584606
    Abstract: A sheet processing device separates a two-ply sheet in which two sheets are overlapped and partially bonded and sandwich a sheet medium between the two sheets. The sheet processing device includes a relay conveyance path, a sheet loader, and control circuitry. The sheet medium is fed from an image forming apparatus connected upstream of the sheet processing device through the relay conveyance path. The sheet loader loads at least one of the two-ply sheet and the sheet medium. The control circuitry performs a mixing mode to feed the two-ply sheet or the sheet medium from the sheet loader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yohsuke Haraguchi, Tomohiro Furuhashi, Yoshito Suzuki, Shinya Monma, Wataru Takahashi, Joji Akiyama, Sho Asano, Wataru Nozaki
  • Patent number: 11558932
    Abstract: An electric blanket includes an electric blanket body and a remote controller. The electric blanket body includes a first wireless module, a heating wire, a first power input circuit, and a first main control circuit. The remote controller includes a second main control circuit, a first function button circuit connected to the second main control circuit, a display circuit, a second wireless module, and a second power input circuit for supplying power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: GUANGDONG LAIJUN ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wanglai Huang
  • Patent number: 11551951
    Abstract: A method for controlling a temperature of a substrate support assembly is provided. A first direct current (DC) power is supplied to a heating element embedded in a zone of the substrate support assembly included in a processing chamber. A voltage is measured across the heating element. Similarly, a current is measured through the heating element. A temperature of the zone of the substrate support assembly is determined based on the voltage across the heating element and the current through the heating element. A temperature difference between the determined temperature of the zone and a target temperature for the zone is determined. A second DC power to deliver to the heating element is determined to achieve the target temperature based at least in part on the temperature difference. The second DC power is supplied to the heating element to cause the temperature of the zone to be modified to the target temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Zachary Wirth, Kiyki-Shiy Shang, Mikhail Taraboukhine
  • Patent number: 11504921
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a heat fusing device for a smart trash receptacle, including: a heating wire for fusion-cutting and thermally sealing an open end of a trash bag, the heating wire being connected to a heat-fusing circuit; a base having heat-resistant and insulating properties, the base having a first end surface on which the heating wire is arranged; and a control mechanism communicatively coupled to the heat-fusing circuit for control thereof. The present invention also discloses a smart trash receptacle incorporating the heat fusing device and a method for controlling a heat fusing temperature. With the present invention, during automatic bagging by the smart trash receptacle, good contact between the heating wire and the trash bag can be ensured while preventing adhesion of the trash bag. This results in improved sealing quality and enables the fulfillment of two tasks, i.e., thermoplastic sealing and thermal fusion-cutting, in the same action of the heat fusing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: SHANGHAI TOWNEW INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Beijing Qiu, Le Li, Jianxiang Li
  • Patent number: 11500323
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus is configured to sandwich one or more sheet media in a two-ply sheet in which two sheets are overlaid and bonded together at a portion of the two-ply sheet. The sheet processing apparatus includes circuitry configured to control insertion processing to insert the one or more sheet media into the two-ply sheet based on a length of the two-ply sheet in a conveyance direction, a length of one of the one or more sheet media in the conveyance direction, and a number of the one or more sheet media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wataru Takahashi, Tomohiro Furuhashi, Sho Asano, Yoshito Suzuki, Shinya Monma, Johji Akiyama, Yohsuke Haraguchi, Wataru Nozaki
  • Patent number: 11458914
    Abstract: An AC inverter in a vehicle operates using a 24 V input when a vehicle powertrain is in a parked/idling state. A first 12 V battery is connected with a first bus segment. A second 12 V battery is connected with a second bus segment. A switch module selectably interconnects the first and second bus segments. In a nominal 12 V state, the batteries are connected in parallel from the bus segments to ground. In a dual voltage state, the batteries are connected in series so the first bus segment is at 12 V and the second bus segment is at 24 V. A first alternator driven by the powertrain provides a regulated voltage to the second bus segment, wherein the regulated voltage corresponds to 12 V when the switch module is in the nominal state and corresponds to 24 V when the switch module is in the dual voltage state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Zeljko Deljevic, Phillip M. Marine, Daniel J. Martin, William C. Taylor, Hanyang B. Chen
  • Patent number: 11441463
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing electric energy to an electrically heated catalyst are described. In one example, the electrically heated catalyst may be a three phase device with heating elements that are arranged in a delta configuration. In other examples, the electrically heated catalyst may include a single heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Hopka
  • Patent number: 11405982
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a heater is equipped with a high-side wiring line that is connected between the heater and a power supply, a low-side wiring line that is connected between the heater and a grounded portion, a sense wiring line that is connected between the heater and a heater electrode of the heater, and a fault detector for detecting a fault in any one of the wiring lines respectively connected to the heater. The fault detector is configured to identify a mode of a fault that has occurred and a location where the fault has occurred, based on a high-side voltage, a low-side voltage, a sense voltage, a high-side current and a low-side current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuki Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 11264252
    Abstract: Implementations described herein provide a chamber lid assembly. In one embodiment, a chamber lid assembly includes a heater embedded in a dielectric body forming a boundary of a processing chamber, wherein the heater has one or more heating zones that are independently controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Willwerth, Jeffrey Ludwig, Benjamin Schwarz, Roberto Cesar Cotlear
  • Patent number: 10892073
    Abstract: A motor vehicle operating liquid tank, in particular for storing aqueous urea solution, with a tank shell surrounding a tank volume and with a tank opening extending through the tank shell, a planar heating device in the tank volume is provided with an electrical resistance heating track arranged sandwiched between two plastic films that oppose one another in a planar manner and encase the resistance heating track, the plastic films opposing one another in a planar manner and each have a layer of compatible, thermoplastic plastics at least on their surfaces facing one another which are connected to one another locally at least along a seam track surrounding the electrical resistance heating track, slot areas are provided inside this seam track in which plastic film sections lie opposite one another in an unconnected manner without the intermediate arrangement of a section of a resistance heating track between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Röchling Automotive SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Fabrizio Chini, Ivan De Metri, Luca Marini, Francesca Brunori
  • Patent number: 10876742
    Abstract: A water heating control system has a tank for holding a volume of water heated by a heater and having a hot water outlet and a cold water inlet connected to a main water supply whereby hot water removed from the hot water outlet is replenished with cold water. A temperature sensor provides a temperature signal indicative of water temperature in the tank, and a control unit monitors the water temperature based on the temperature signal and is responsive to selection of a Sabbath mode of operation for periodically actuating and de-actuating the heater while maintaining an average water temperature to less than a permitted preset threshold. In Sabbath mode the control unit closes a shut off valve connected to the water inlet when the heater is actuated and opens the shut off valve when the heater is not actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Inventor: Ronen Tadmor
  • Patent number: 10535544
    Abstract: Implementations described herein provide a substrate support assembly which enables both lateral and azimuthal tuning of the heat transfer between an electrostatic chuck and a heating assembly. The substrate support assembly comprises a body having a substrate support surface and a lower surface, one or more main resistive heaters disposed in the body, a plurality of spatially tunable heaters disposed in the body, and a spatially tunable heater controller coupled to the plurality of spatially tunable heaters, the spatially tunable heater controller configured to independently control an output one of the plurality of spatially tunable heaters relative to another of the plurality of spatially tunable heaters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Vijay D. Parkhe, Steven E. Babayan, Konstantin Makhratchev, Zhiqiang Guo, Phillip R. Sommer, Dan A. Marohl
  • Patent number: 9837559
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a soldering system containing a soldering apparatus and a heating apparatus. The soldering apparatus includes a heating plate having a body defining a plurality of first air exits, each first air exit extending through the body of the heating plate and the heating plate being configured to supply hot air through the first air exits; a cover disposed on the heating plate, the cover and the heating plate defining a hot air chamber; a plurality of axially movable positioning shafts extending though the body of the heating plate, in which each shaft has a first end and a second end, the first end is in the hot air chamber, and the second end is outside the hot air chamber; and a conduit attached to the cover, the conduit being configured to supply hot air to the hot air chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: China Sunergy (Nanjing) Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Lu, Jiyuan Zhang, Thowphock Chua, Jilei Wang, Aihua Wang, Jianhua Zhao
  • Patent number: 9581350
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a circuit for providing a mixed air temperature signal is provided. The circuit has a temperature input to an economizer controller, an air temperature sensor, a false air temperature device, and a switching device. The switching device has a switch and a switch actuating device. The switch connects the temperature input to the air temperature sensor when the switch is in a first state. The switch connects the temperature input to the false air temperature device when the switch is in a second state. The switch actuating device places the switch in the first state when a mechanical cooling signal is not sent. The switch actuating device places the switch in the second state when the mechanical cooling signal is sent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus Troxell, Michael Renker
  • Patent number: 9511379
    Abstract: In a gas-intake-port array structure, which enables any temperature fluctuation during conveying time of a printed circuit board, a semiconductor wafer or the like to be reduced and allows the printed circuit board and the like to be very uniformly heated or cooled, a nozzle pattern P2 is arranged to be line symmetry with a nozzle pattern P1 in one upper or lower divided section of a nozzle layout region of the nozzle cover 3 relative to a center portion that is orthogonal to a conveying direction, as shown in FIG. 1. In order for the arrangement patterns diagonally arranged in the nozzle layout region to become identical, the nozzle pattern P1 is arranged to be line symmetry with the nozzle pattern P2 in the other upper or lower divided section. Intake ports 3b, 3c and 3d each having a predetermined opening width are arranged between two blowing nozzles 2 or more and across a first row thereof and plural other rows having different phases, in order to circulate the gas blown from the blowing nozzles 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Senju Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsutomu Hiyama
  • Patent number: 9485872
    Abstract: In a gas-blowing-hole array structure, which enables gas to be blown to the whole surface of the conveyed member such as a printed circuit board, a semiconductor wafer or the like almost concentrically and allows the whole surface of conveyed member to be very uniformly heated or cooled, a nozzle pattern P2 of blowing nozzles 2 is arranged to be line symmetry with a nozzle pattern P1 of the blowing nozzles 2 in upper and lower divided sections of one side of the nozzle cover 3 relative to a center portion thereof that is orthogonal to a conveying direction, as shown in FIG. 1. In order for the arrangement patterns diagonally arranged in the nozzle cover 3 to become identical, the nozzle pattern P1 is arranged to be line symmetry with the nozzle pattern P2 of the blowing nozzles 2 in upper and lower divided sections of the other side of the nozzle cover 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Senju Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsutomu Hiyama
  • Publication number: 20150139630
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods directed to using renewable energy sources with hot water heating systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: David Kreutzman
  • Patent number: 9029741
    Abstract: A surface-mountable electrical circuit protection device includes layers defining a first PPTC resistive element, a second PPTC resistive element, and at least one heat-generating electrical component such as a planar zener diode chip positioned between, and in thermal contact with, the first and second PPTC elements, such that an electrical current above a threshold level passing through the component causes the component to heat, the heat being transferred to the PPTC resistive elements and tripping at least one, and preferably both of the first or second PPTC elements to a high resistance state. A series of edge-formed terminal electrodes enable surface-mount connection of the first and second PPTC elements and the electrical component to an electrical circuit substrate, such as a printed circuit board. A method for making the device is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne Montoya, Luis A. Navarro, Cecilia A. Walsh, Adrian P. Mikolajczak
  • Patent number: 8981265
    Abstract: An electrical system responsive to overheating and/or electric arcing of an electrically conductive member, e.g. a heating member of an aircraft windshield, includes a first switch in a first current path, and a second switch in a second current path. The first current path is from an electrical power supply through the first switch, through an arc sensor to the heating member to the power supply. The second current path is from a temperature sensor monitoring the temperature of the heating member through the second switch to a temperature controller. When the temperature of the heating member is at or above a predetermined value, the temperature controller causes the first switch to open. When there is arcing, the second switch is moved to the open position. The temperature controller senses that the second switch is open and causes the first switch to open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: PPG industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Yu Jiao, Hars Gyorgy, Ali N. Rashid, Joseph Medzius
  • Patent number: 8963053
    Abstract: Delays are introduced in self-timed memories by introducing a capacitance on the path of a signal to be delayed. The capacitances are realized by using idle-lying metal layers in the circuitry. The signal to be delayed is connected to the idle-lying capacitances via programmable switches. The amount of delay introduced depends on the capacitance introduced in the path of signal, which in turn depends on state of the switches. The state of the switches is controlled by delay codes provided externally to the delay introducing circuitry. Since idle-lying metal capacitances are utilized, the circuitry can be implemented using a minimum amount of additional hardware. Also, the delay provided by the circuitry is a function of memory cell SPICE characteristics and core parasitic capacitances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics PVT. Ltd.
    Inventors: Nishu Kohli, Mudit Bhargava, Shishir Kumar
  • Patent number: 8912468
    Abstract: A zero-crossing detector circuit includes: a first capacitor including a first electrode configured to connect to one end of an AC power supply and a second electrode; a second capacitor including a first electrode configured to connect to the other end of the AC power supply and a second electrode; a current path, which is connected in series between the second electrode of the first capacitor and the second electrode of the second capacitor, and which is connected to a reference potential, and which generates a second-electrode-side voltage when the AC current passes through the current path; a signal converting circuit, which is connected to the AC power supply to receive the second-electrode-side voltage and then converts the second-electrode-side voltage into a pulse signal; and a detecting unit, which detects a pulse period of the pulse signal, which and detects zero-crossing points by using the pulse period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsumi Inukai
  • Patent number: 8909033
    Abstract: A method is provided for interconnecting a single electrical heating element of a hot water heater to first and second AC electrical power sources. Typically, these first and second AC electrical power sources include a utility provided electrical power source and a renewable power source that generates AC power from DC power. The method includes operating a controller that selectively connects and disconnects the first and second power sources. If sufficient electrical power is available from the renewable power source, the utility provided electrical power source may be disconnected to preferentially utilize renewable energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventor: David Kreutzman
  • Patent number: 8895903
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the supply of power to a radiant heater of a cooking hob. According to one implementation a method is provided that includes the use of a control circuit that is configured to deliver power to the radiant heater via first and second electrical paths. One control method includes supplying a first level of power to the radiant heater through a closed disconnection switch situated in the first electrical path while sensing a temperature of the cooking hob. Upon detecting that the temperature has reached or exceeded a predetermined temperature, the control circuit terminates the supply of power to the radiant heater through the first electrical path by opening the disconnection switch and for at least a period of time initiating the supply of a second level of power to the radiant heater through the second electrical path, the second level of power being less than the first level of power and sufficiently low to cause the radiant heater to cool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Eika, S. Coop
    Inventors: Daniel de los Toyos López, Jon Endika Azpiritxaga Zalbide, Agustin Etxebarrieta Alonso
  • Patent number: 8791393
    Abstract: A heating control system for controlling heating of a fluid within an associated fluid vessel includes a first sensor responsive to a low fluid level in the fluid vessel and a second sensor responsive to a temperature of the fluid within the fluid vessel. The heating control system also includes a control circuit electrically connected with the first sensor and the second sensor to control electrical power to a heating unit for heating the fluid within the fluid vessel. The control circuit allows electrical power to be connected to the heating unit upon a first predetermined condition of the first sensor and a first predetermined condition of the second sensor. The control circuit disconnects power to the heating unit upon either a second predetermined condition of the first sensor or a second predetermined condition of the second sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel John Worden, Karl James Bauer
  • Patent number: 8791390
    Abstract: An image heating apparatus includes an endless belt; first, second, third and fourth resistors having resistances R1, R2, R3 and R4, arranged in this order from an upstream side in a feeding direction of the recording material, and R1=R2 and R3=R4. The connection state of the resistors is switchable between a first state in which the first and second resistors are connected in parallel, the third and fourth resistors are connected in parallel, and a set of the first and second resistors and a set of the third and fourth resistors are connected in parallel, and a second state in which the first resistor second resistors are connected in series, the third and fourth resistors are connected in series, and a set of the first and second resistors and a set of the third and fourth resistors are connected in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoru Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 8660701
    Abstract: A water heater has a modular control system. The water heater comprises a tank, a heating element, a first controller, and a second controller. The heating element is coupled to the tank. The first controller is mounted on the tank and has a first communication port. The second controller has a second communication port communicatively coupled to the first communication port of the first controller. The first controller is configured to control the heating element in accordance with any desired algorithm in an absence of the second controller, and the second controller is configured to perform at least one function in addition to or in lieu of the first controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Terry G. Phillips, Wade C. Patterson
  • Patent number: 8598494
    Abstract: A method for controlling power supply to the liquid contents of a cooking vessel or the like, particularly for controlling the electrical power supply in an induction heating system, wherein a predetermined thermodynamic state is detected and the user is alerted, comprises maintaining a predetermined high power condition after reaching the predetermined thermodynamic state for a predetermined time and then reducing the power supply to a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Gianpiero Santacatterina, Jurij Paderno, Francesco Del Bello
  • Patent number: 8598498
    Abstract: Provided are a cooker and a method for controlling the same. Levels driven by a plurality of heat sources are controlled by input driving levels of all the heat sources received by an input unit. Accordingly, there is an advantage in that foods are more swiftly cooked by the plurality of heat sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang-Ryul Lee, Kyu-Young Kim, Jae-Myung Chin, Dong-Han Kim, Si-Young Choi, Sung-Ho Choi