Switching Systems Patents (Class 307/112)
  • Patent number: 10353447
    Abstract: A programmable logic circuit such as a finite state machine is provided that is configured to determine a memory array power-up sequence from a configuration signal to successively enable each memory array. A delay circuit triggers an initial memory bank in each enabled memory array to power-up without a delay. The delay circuit then counts responsive to a clock to determine a delay between a successive triggering of remaining memory banks in each enabled memory array to power-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Harmander Singh, Sebastien Weyland, Suresh Kumar Venkumahanti
  • Patent number: 10348092
    Abstract: The electrical power distribution control device controls the flow of electricity between the electric grid and one or more alternate sources, including, but not limited to, back-up generators, photovoltaic cells or wind turbines. The electrical power distribution control device monitors the status of the one or more alternate sources, an optional battery, and the electric grid and switches and balances the electric load between the one or more alternate sources and the electric grid to minimize power costs. The electrical power distribution control device comprises a controller, a plurality of relays, and a plurality of sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Inventor: Noel Diaz
  • Patent number: 10325666
    Abstract: During a program, read, or erase operation of one or more non-volatile flash memory cells in an array of non-volatile flash memory cells, a negative voltage can be applied to the word lines and/or coupling gates of the selected or unselected non-volatile flash memory cells. The negative voltage is generated by a negative high voltage level shifter using one of several embodiments disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Hieu Van Tran, Anh Ly, Thuan Vu, Hung Quoc Nguyen
  • Patent number: 10326273
    Abstract: A system of surge suppressor units is connected at multiple locations on a power transmission and distribution grid to provide grid level protection against various disturbances before such disturbances can reach or affect facility level equipment. The surge suppressor units effectively prevent major voltage and current spikes from impacting the grid. In addition, the surge suppressor units include various integration features which provide diagnostic and remote reporting capabilities required by most utility operations. As such, the surge suppressor units protect grid level components from major events such as natural geomagnetic disturbances (solar flares), extreme electrical events (lightning) and human-generated events (EMPs) and cascading failures on the power grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Asator Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Daryl Moore, Jon Yarusso
  • Patent number: 10312689
    Abstract: A system of surge suppressor units is connected at multiple locations on a power transmission and distribution grid to provide grid level protection against various disturbances before such disturbances can reach or affect facility level equipment. The surge suppressor units effectively prevent major voltage and current spikes from impacting the grid. In addition, the surge suppressor units include various integration features which provide diagnostic and remote reporting capabilities required by most utility operations. As such, the surge suppressor units protect grid level components from major events such as natural geomagnetic disturbances (solar flares), extreme electrical events (lightning) and human-generated events (EMPs) and cascading failures on the power grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Asator Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Daryl Moore, Jon Yarusso
  • Patent number: 10312686
    Abstract: A system of surge suppressor units is connected at multiple locations on a power transmission and distribution grid to provide grid level protection against various disturbances before such disturbances can reach or affect facility level equipment. The surge suppressor units effectively prevent major voltage and current spikes from impacting the grid. In addition, the surge suppressor units include various integration features which provide diagnostic and remote reporting capabilities required by most utility operations. As such, the surge suppressor units protect grid level components from major events such as natural geomagnetic disturbances (solar flares), extreme electrical events (lightning) and human-generated events (EMPs) and cascading failures on the power grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Asator Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Daryl Moore, Jon Yarusso
  • Patent number: 10312690
    Abstract: A system of surge suppressor units is connected at multiple locations on a power transmission and distribution grid to provide grid level protection against various disturbances before such disturbances can reach or affect facility level equipment. The surge suppressor units effectively prevent major voltage and current spikes from impacting the grid. In addition, the surge suppressor units include various integration features which provide diagnostic and remote reporting capabilities required by most utility operations. As such, the surge suppressor units protect grid level components from major events such as natural geomagnetic disturbances (solar flares), extreme electrical events (lightning) and human-generated events (EMPs) and cascading failures on the power grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Asator Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Daryl Moore, Jon Yarusso
  • Patent number: 10312688
    Abstract: A system of surge suppressor units is connected at multiple locations on a power transmission and distribution grid to provide grid level protection against various disturbances before such disturbances can reach or affect facility level equipment. The surge suppressor units effectively prevent major voltage and current spikes from impacting the grid. In addition, the surge suppressor units include various integration features which provide diagnostic and remote reporting capabilities required by most utility operations. As such, the surge suppressor units protect grid level components from major events such as natural geomagnetic disturbances (solar flares), extreme electrical events (lightning) and human-generated events (EMPs) and cascading failures on the power grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Asator Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Daryl Moore, Jon Yarusso
  • Patent number: 10312691
    Abstract: A system of surge suppressor units is connected at multiple locations on a power transmission and distribution grid to provide grid level protection against various disturbances before such disturbances can reach or affect facility level equipment. The surge suppressor units effectively prevent major voltage and current spikes from impacting the grid. In addition, the surge suppressor units include various integration features which provide diagnostic and remote reporting capabilities required by most utility operations. As such, the surge suppressor units protect grid level components from major events such as natural geomagnetic disturbances (solar flares), extreme electrical events (lightning) and human-generated events (EMPs) and cascading failures on the power grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Asator Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Daryl Moore, Jon Yarusso
  • Patent number: 10293701
    Abstract: A method of controlling a low-voltage DC-DC converter for a hybrid vehicle is provided. The method includes determining whether an intelligent battery system fails and analyzing a failure cause of the intelligent battery system when the intelligent battery system is determined to fail. A first voltage is deduced using a battery temperature when the failure cause is determined to be a detection failure of battery SOC and an output voltage of a low-voltage DC-DC converter is adjusted to be the first voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Dong Jun Shin, Ho Joong Lee
  • Patent number: 10281948
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hardware controller that may interact with audio, lighting, or other computer componentry to control various digital parameters of the same. The presently disclosed controller allows for button presses, knob twisting, and slider engagement, but does so in a manner that remains intuitive without the need for partitioning a mixer into separate sections for independent devices. In this manner, the present invention avoids the need for a large physical footprint that would otherwise require a large amount of space and the use of multiple hands over a period of time by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Inventor: Giordano P. Jacuzzi
  • Patent number: 10262567
    Abstract: A two-terminal store-and-control circuit includes a power circuit for receiving a modulated first signal, for receiving a second signal, for providing a power signal, and for providing a V? signal. A voltage comparator receives the modulated first signal and the V+ signal and provides a data signal that is extracted from the modulated first signal and the power signal. A data storage circuit receives and stores the data signal and provides a stored data signal. The circuit can be provided in a two-terminal store-and-control surface-mount device and employed to make a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: X-Celeprint Limited
    Inventors: Ronald S. Cok, Robert R. Rotzoll
  • Patent number: 10225080
    Abstract: Quantum networking systems and methods for routing entangled photons pairs are described herein. One quantum networking system includes entangled photon sources which generate entangled photons; optical output ports; a reconfigurable switching network connecting to the entangled photon sources and the output ports, which include a regular repeating structure of optical crossbar switches and interconnections for selectively routing individual ones of entangled photons pairs input to the network to and amongst the outputs; and a control module. The control module is configured to receive a request for entangled photons at the output ports; execute a routing algorithm to determine the state of the switches in the reconfigurable switching network to satisfy the request; and generate and transmit control signals to the switching network in order to set the states of the switches according to the executed routing algorithm. The reconfigurable switching network may be a Beneš or a banyan-type network architecture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Robert James Drost, Terrence Joseph Moore, Michael Brodsky
  • Patent number: 10187113
    Abstract: A well tool for use in a wellbore can include a motor for performing a well operation. The well tool can include a switch that is couplable between the motor and a wireline. The switch can be toggleable between (i) a first operational state for providing the power to the motor by coupling the motor to an external power source and (ii) a second operational state for decoupling the motor from the external power source. The well tool can include a motor controller coupled to the switch for toggling the switch between the first operational state and the second operational state in an arrangement configured to impart, on the wireline, multiple current pulses including data encoded in the current pulses according to an encoding scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Nam Nguyen, Colin Koo
  • Patent number: 10181276
    Abstract: A gate driving circuit sequentially outputting a gate voltage using a high level power voltage, a low level power voltage, a start voltage, a previous stage gate voltage, a next stage gate voltage and a clock, includes: a shift register including a plurality of stages connected to each other by a cascade connection, each of the plurality of stages including: a first thin film transistor (TFT) switched by the start voltage or the previous stage gate voltage and transmitting the high level power voltage to a Q node; a second TFT switched by the next stage gate voltage and transmitting the low level power voltage to the Q node; a third TFT switched by a voltage of the Q node and transmitting the clock to an output node; and a first resistor connected between the output node and the low level power voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ju-Young Lee, Seung-Wan Cho
  • Patent number: 10129997
    Abstract: A guide assembly an enclosure-based device such as a computer provided in a rack-mountable chassis. The guide assembly is configured to facilitate blind connector mating such as electrical interconnection between a receiving connector on a previously-mounted board and an edge connector on a circuit board supported in a housing of a module that is slid or inserted into the interior space of the enclosure or chassis. The guide assembly (and devices that include a guide assembly) address the two design challenges discussed above of increasing numbers of circuits in devices that need to be connected and of decreasing pitch between the connectors. The guide assembly is configured, with its mechanical features, to decouple the degrees of freedom (DOFs) between the module being inserted into the chassis and the receiving/mating connector on the previously-mounted board. The guide assembly constrains five out of the six DOFs, which effectively ensures proper connector mating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: ORACLE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andres Gabriel Hofmann, Rebecca Di Ricco Kurzava, Gabrielle Kariann Stetor
  • Patent number: 10122545
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a powered device (331a, 331b, 531a) with two interfacing connections. The powered device (331a, 331b, 531a) comprises power switching units (350a, 350b, 550a1, 550a2) for forwarding the data signal as well the power received on the input to the output. Forwarding may be based on a detection of the powering state of the PD. In another embodiment, the Power-over-Ethernet input/output ports function bi-directionally, thereby allowing the user to daisy-chain devices in any direction. As power switching units, relays or solid-state power switches may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Harald Josef Günther Radermacher, Matthias Wendt, Dave Willem Van Good, Lennart Yseboodt
  • Patent number: 10109440
    Abstract: The invention relates to a safety switch (2) with a redundant input structure and with a redundant output structure. The safety switch (2) is designed for integration into a series connection (1) of safety switches (2); the safety switch (2) has devices for detecting and adjusting the operating mode in the series connection (1). The safety switch (2) is designed for replacement in the series connection (1) during its operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Euchner GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Matthias Kraus, Markus Hörtling, Monika Schmid, Dominik Schmid, Timo Siefert, Jens Rothenburg
  • Patent number: 10063658
    Abstract: Systems and processes of a dedicated network platform for data producing devices that emulates distinct data and control channels via bifurcation of single channel environments are disclosed as well as a process for making a firmware update on a remote data producing device. For example, in a single channel environment, the system provides a control sub-channel for transmission of the control information. Control instructions may be transmitted via the control sub-channel. A data sub-channel may be provided for transmission of data (e.g., logged data). The data may be transmitted via the data sub-channel. As for the update process, a firmware update for an application may be received over a network by a remote device, the firmware stored to a data store and the remote device rebooted to update the firmware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: V2COM, INC.
    Inventors: Leonardo de Moura Rocha Lima, Guilherme Spina
  • Patent number: 10025743
    Abstract: The invention aims at providing a semiconductor device, a semiconductor system including same, and a semiconductor device control method enabling it to correctly judge that a module has been coupled to and decoupled from a communication bus. According to one embodiment, a host controller includes a variable resistance element and a control circuit that varies the resistance value of the variable resistance element so that the potential of a potential detecting line which is determined by the variable resistance element and a resistance element provided in each of modules will fall within a predefined range. It is thus possible to keep that potential varying to a certain extent or more due to coupling and decoupling of a module to/from the communication bus. It is therefore possible to correctly judge that a module has been coupled/decoupled to/from the communication bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshifumi Ikenaga
  • Patent number: 10014796
    Abstract: A transformer system includes: a main transformer including a primary winding coupled to AC mains and a secondary winding; a load circuit including a load switch configured to be coupled to a load, the load circuit being coupled to the secondary winding of the main transformer; an auxiliary power supply coupled to AC mains; a controller coupled to an output of the auxiliary power supply; an electronic switch between the AC mains and the primary winding of the main transformer and configured to be controlled by the controller; and a load detector coupled to the load circuit and configured to detect whether the load is connected to the main transformer and to output a load signal to the controller in accordance with whether or not the load is connected to the main transformer, wherein the controller is configured to control the electronic switch in accordance with the load signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Gardenia Industrial Limited
    Inventors: You Wei Meng, Bo Gao
  • Patent number: 9984844
    Abstract: The switch device includes a control switch that turns on/off an electrical connection between an apparatus and the power supply, a condition judging circuit that judges conditions of driving the control switch, an electric wave reception circuit that receives an electric wave, and a power supply circuit that generates power from the electric wave received by the electric wave reception circuit. An electric wave transmission device that transmits an electric wave for making the switch device operate is arranged in a space, whereby the electric wave can be received by the electric wave reception device in the specific space. The switch device controls the control switch to be turned off/on when the electric wave is received. Alternatively, when the electric wave is not received, the switch device turns on/off the control switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Fukutome
  • Patent number: 9969291
    Abstract: A switching board includes: a control circuit board that has, on a first surface thereof, a control circuit, a connection circuit, a first mounting window, and a second mounting window; a circuit structure including an input bus bar and an output bus bar are arranged on a second surface of the control circuit board; and a first and second semiconductor switching element. The first semiconductor switching element is arranged inside the first mounting window. The drain terminal, the source terminal, and the gate terminal of the first semiconductor switching element are connected respectively to the input bus bar, the connection circuit, and the control circuit. The second semiconductor switching element is arranged inside the second mounting window. The drain terminal, the source terminal, and the gate terminal of the second semiconductor switching element are connected respectively to the output bus bar, the connection circuit, and the control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignees: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Haraguchi, Manabu Hashikura, Hideo Morioka, Hideaki Tahara
  • Patent number: 9973004
    Abstract: An arrangement for changing current return path in a bipole direct current power transmission system includes a converter station having an active and a passive converter connected in series between an active and a passive pole line via a first neutral bus, a metallic return transfer switch in an electrode line, a ground return transfer switch in a current redirecting path between the passive pole line and the neutral bus and a control unit which in case of change to the passive pole line for providing a return current path is configured to, upon control of power related to the active converter from steady-state to zero, close the ground return transfer switch and thereafter open the metallic return transfer switch, whereupon power related to the active converter may be controlled back to steady state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: Tommy Holmgren, David Shearer, Felipe Sobrinho, Hector-Armando Avila, Per-Erik Björklund, Sören Nyberg
  • Patent number: 9954430
    Abstract: In some embodiments, powered devices, circuits, and methods are disclosed that may include biasing a hot swap switch to couple a capacitor of a DC-DC converter to negative supply node when an input voltage exceeds a threshold and biasing a telephony switch to couple a positive supply node to a negative supply node when the input voltage exceeds the threshold. Further, the method may further include deactivating the hot swap switch after a period of time, and continuing to bias the telephony switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Vince András Horváth, Tamás Marozsák, Péter Onódy, John Gammel
  • Patent number: 9946410
    Abstract: A method for improving robustness of a capacitive sensor system has the following steps: a) operating the capacitive sensor system, wherein received sensor signals are filtered by a band-pass filter having a band-pass having a first center frequency; b) polling sensor data at a first rate using the sensor system; c) determining whether a polled sensor value is meeting a predetermined threshold; d) if the predetermined threshold is met: d1) polling sensor data at a second rate being higher than the first rate using the sensor system; d2) verifying that sensor data polled at the second rate are consistent; d3) if the sensor data polled at the second rate are inconsistent, then repeating at least step d2) wherein said band-pass filter is controlled to have a second center frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY GERMANY GMBH
    Inventor: Andreas Dorfner
  • Patent number: 9922746
    Abstract: New stretchable electrically conductive composite materials comprising at least one polymer and a plurality of nanoparticles are provided, which exhibit high conductivity even at high strain levels. The composite may comprise polyurethane as the polymer and spherical gold nanoparticles. Such materials have conductivity levels as high as 11,000 Scm?1 at 0% strain and 2,400 Scm?1 at 110% strain. Furthermore, certain embodiments of the composite have a maximum tensile strain of 480% while still exhibiting conductivity of 35 Scm?1. The inventive materials are highly flexible, highly conductive and suitable for a variety of applications, especially for advanced medical devices, implants, and flexible electronics. The disclosure also provides methods of making such stretchable electrically conductive nanocomposites, including formation by layer-by-layer and vacuum assisted flocculation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: The Regents of The University of Michigan
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Kotov, Yoonseob Kim, Jian Zhu, Matthew Di Prima, Bongjun Yeom
  • Patent number: 9921612
    Abstract: An embodiment provides a method, including detecting, using a touch sensor, a touch input; and operating, using a control unit, a variable friction hinge to achieve a low friction mode in response to the touch input. Other aspects are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Matthew Ian Tucker, Ali Kathryn Ent, Cuong Huy Truong
  • Patent number: 9898001
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium includes computer instructions configured to receive image data from an apparatus, wherein the image data comprises a person within a proximity to an industrial automation device, determine whether the person is wearing a set of personal protection equipment (PPE) based on the image data, disable one or more operations of the industrial automation device when the person is not wearing the set of PPE, and track a usage of the set of PPE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kelly A. Michalscheck, Jimi R. Michalscheck, Jessica L. Korpela, Kyle K. Reissner, David A. Vasko, Matthew W. Fordenwalt, John J. Jauquet, Matthew R. Ericsson, Andrew Wilber
  • Patent number: 9899835
    Abstract: Provided is an uninterruptible power supply system. The uninterruptible power supply system includes a power supply unit including a power supply circuit converting alternating current power into direct current voltage to be supplied to a load apparatus. The uninterruptible power supply system includes a battery unit including a battery circuit. The battery circuit stores direct current power and discharges the direct current power to generate direct current voltage to be supplied to the load apparatus. The uninterruptible power supply system includes a rack in which each of the power supply unit and the battery unit is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuaki Mino, Ryuji Yamada, Satoru Fujita
  • Patent number: 9892878
    Abstract: A safety switching apparatus for switching-on or switching-off a technical installation has a first input for receiving a first clock signal via a feed line, said first clock signal having a first clock frequency. A failsafe control/evaluation unit processes the first clock signal in a failsafe manner in order to generate an output signal for switching-on or switching-off the technical installation in response to the first clock signal. A clock reference provides a second clock signal having a second clock frequency. A current-increasing circuit having a switching element is arranged for selectively increasing an input current into the first input. The switching element is coupled to the clock reference and selectively activates or deactivates the current-increasing circuit in response to the second clock frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: PILZ GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Richard Veil, Hans Schwenkel
  • Patent number: 9875871
    Abstract: A starter for an internal combustion engine includes an electric motor and a solenoid switch. The solenoid switch includes a housing, a fixed core, a movable core, two spaced contacts, and a conductive member arranged to interconnect the contacts when the solenoid is turned on. The movable core is connected to a pinion of the motor which is movable to engage with a flywheel of the engine. The fixed core includes a pull-in coil of aluminum wire, a holding coil of copper wire, and a magnetic core. The motor is connected in series with the pull-in coil. When the solenoid is energized, the coils generate a magnetic field that attracts the movable core to the magnetic core, thereby the moving the pinion into engagement with the flywheel and causing the conductive member to interconnect the contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: JOHNSON ELECTRIC S.A.
    Inventors: Wan Mei He, Jun Jie Chu, Li Bing Liao
  • Patent number: 9870887
    Abstract: A drive circuit for a DC latching device includes a battery, a storage element, and a plurality of switches connecting the battery to the storage element for charging the storage element from the battery and discharging the storage element into the coil of a DC latching device. The drive circuit further includes components for determining a state of the DC latching device. The drive circuit may include components for terminating the discharge of the storage element into the coil of the DC latching device in response to determining that the DC latching device has changed states to add reliability to the system and reduce energy consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter John Woytowitz, Lucian Scripca
  • Patent number: 9860132
    Abstract: A switching system having a number of nodes interfacing with external network elements and interconnected through independent switches is disclosed. The network may serve as a large-scale data center or a geographically distributed network. The nodes are arranged into a number of formations. Within each formation, the nodes are divided into a number of disjoint sets of nodes. The nodes of each set of nodes are interconnected through a respective switch and are selected so that each set of nodes of any formation is orthogonal to each set of nodes of each other formation. With such a structure, each node has a set of routes to each other node, each route of which traversing at most two switches. The switching system may grow in both capacity and coverage without disturbing an already installed configuration. A switching system of an access capacity of multiple petabits/sec and large coverage is thus realizable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Maged E. Beshai
  • Patent number: 9857091
    Abstract: An operation alteration of a network attached thermostat to control power usage. Control wires for a heating and air conditioning system may be connected to a thermostat control circuit configured to control the system. A power extraction circuit may be coupled to the control wires configured to extract power from the control wires. The power may be put into a storage device. The power may be provided to the thermostat control circuit and a WiFi radio module. The radio module may provide a network connection for the thermostat. Circuitry and techniques may be provided to reduce power usage by the thermostat components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Robideau, Patrick R. Lemire, Robert D. Juntunen
  • Patent number: 9852861
    Abstract: An addressable electrical safety contact monitoring system is described. The system includes an input terminal connected to an external signal relating to a safety fault, a first signal wire connect the input terminal, a switch having a default position and an active position, a first electric connection between the input terminal and a switch, a microprocessor, a second electric connection between the microprocessor and the switch, an address-section mechanism, an output terminal and a third electric connection between the microprocessor and the output terminal. When the external signal is activated, the switch changes from the default position to the active position, the microprocessor is activated and the microprocessor activates a signal on the third electric connection corresponding to the address-selection mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventor: Balmore Black
  • Patent number: 9846182
    Abstract: Hardware test systems are provided that have an electrical test loop with a minimum length of less than 200 mm, a maximum di/dt capacity of at least 1500 A/?s and a minimum parasitic inductance of less than 100 nH. The hardware tests systems can be used for commutation measurement or other test applications requiring low stray inductance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Pon Tiam Meng, Tai Chee Siew
  • Patent number: 9826609
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a stroboscopic lamp apparatus comprising a main control module and a number of LED modules. The main control module comprises a main CPU and a battery module supplying power to the stroboscopic lamp apparatus. The output terminal of the main CPU connects to two power bus lines. Each of the LED modules consists of a slave module and a number of LED wafers. The slave module comprises a slave CPU. The slave CPU comprises two bus connection pins, a number of address pins, and a number of output pins. The two bus connection pins are connected to the two power bus lines respectively. Different voltages are applied to the the address pins in order to configure different communication addresses. The output pins are connected to the plurality of the LED wafers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventors: Zhibao Zhang, ZhiZhi Zhang
  • Patent number: 9812867
    Abstract: A multi-element photovoltaic cell having two or more photovoltaic elements with an isolation layer interposed between all contiguous photovoltaic elements. Each photovoltaic element has an element front conductor and an element rear conductor which are in electrical contact with the photovoltaic layer of the photovoltaic element. The current from a respective photovoltaic element which is generated as incident solar radiation irradiates the photovoltaic cell, flows independently of the other photovoltaic elements to one or more capacitor banks controlled by a photovoltaic controller. The photovoltaic controller controls charging and discharging of element capacitors of the capacitor banks so as to optimize the efficiency of the photovoltaic cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Black Night Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Neldon P. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9784596
    Abstract: The present disclosure presents a method, a sensor comprising printed circuit board (PCB), and a sensor PCB for a capacitive sensor for sensing position or motion of a shaft comprising an electrically conducting part. The method and the sensor utilize the sensor PCB that comprises a mounting hole through which the conducting part of the shaft can be mounted, at least one capacitor electrode formed to the printed circuit board, wherein an electrode surface of the electrode extends parallel to a center axis of the mounting hole and faces the center axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Kimmo Tolsa, Rafal Jastrzebski, Tuomo Lindh
  • Patent number: 9766994
    Abstract: When a monitoring device for ladder program receives designation of a ladder program which is a confirmation object from a user, the monitoring device detects a branch circuit which is arranged above the ladder circuit which is the confirmation object in a ladder program and is closest to the ladder circuit and extracts a branch circuit which is to be a display object from the ladder program based on a type of the branch circuit which is detected. The monitoring device executes such processing up to a head of the ladder program so as to extract and display branch circuits up to the ladder circuit which is the confirmation object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Yonekura
  • Patent number: 9768599
    Abstract: A frame or the like incorporating a removable device for placement on a wallbox. The frame may be attached to a conventional wallbox without modification to the wallbox. The device may be mounted to, in or on the frame. A memory for the device may be situated on or embedded in the frame. If the device fails, it may be easily removed from the frame and replaced with a new or other working device without frame removal from the wallbox. The replacement device may be configured with information in the memory that contained the configuration for the failed device. The memory or the frame holding it may also be replaced if it fails; however, memory failure is rare compared to device failure. Thus, expense may be spared with just a replacement device and an available configuration in the remaining memory. The memory may have a secure trusted platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Philipp Roosli, Ryan Gardner, Ravi Sagar, Brendan Donecker, Tom Woodruff
  • Patent number: 9738174
    Abstract: A lithium battery system includes a first battery pack including a plurality of first battery cells connected in series. The first battery pack is configured to be connected in parallel to an alternator and a second battery pack, and has a lower capacity than the second battery pack. A negative electrode of each of the first battery cells includes a negative electrode active material. The negative electrode active material includes a carbon-based material having an interlayer spacing of a (002) plane of 0.34 nm to 0.50 nm in X-ray diffraction measurement using copper (Cu) K? lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Sung Gu, Eui-Hwan Song, Ji-Hong Lim, Seok-Gyun Woo, Woon-Sun Rheu
  • Patent number: 9732921
    Abstract: The multiple functions wall cover plate has built-in USB and light means connect by prong means to existing wall inner-kit's receptacle to get AC power source to multiple function wall cover's circuit(s) to drive each circuit for predetermined functions. The said cover plate fasten by screw, prong or false prong to hold on inner-kit's holder and overlay at least one of the inner receptacle to offer people safety and quickly USB charger with desire light illumination and add extra functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Inventor: Tseng-Lu Chien
  • Patent number: 9727116
    Abstract: The instant invention improves the control of a low-power consumption state of network devices linked to a network switch by a suitable network such as an optical network. It allows for the sleep mode also to shut down the power supplies of the components of the network device necessary for the normal data link layer network communication according to the OSI model and the higher layers of the communication protocols. In the same way, the invention prevents that a disruption of the optical network leads to a sleep mode of the network device. Further, even in a freeze state, it is possible to activate the network device and bring it in a sleep mode. For this purpose, a special communication protocol is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Barco N.V.
    Inventor: Patrick Oscar Y. Decherf
  • Patent number: 9728966
    Abstract: A system of surge suppressor units is connected at multiple locations on a power transmission and distribution grid to provide grid level protection against various disturbances before such disturbances can reach or affect facility level equipment. The surge suppressor units effectively prevent major voltage and current spikes from impacting the grid. In addition, the surge suppressor units included various integration features which provide diagnostic and remote reporting capabilities required by most utility operations. As such, the surge suppressor units protect grid level components from major events such as natural geomagnetic disturbances (solar flares), extreme electrical events (lightning) and human-generated events (EMPs) and cascading failures on the power grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: 540 Grid Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Daryl Moore, Jon Yarusso
  • Patent number: 9704373
    Abstract: A device includes a device body that further includes a first attachment mechanism for attaching to another object, structure, or item of equipment. The device also includes wireless communication circuitry affixed to the device body, and one or more sensor components affixed to the device body, coupled to the wireless communication circuitry, and configured to sense environmental parameters associated with the device or with the object, structure or item of equipment. The device may further include powering circuitry, affixed to the device body, and configured to provide electrical power to the wireless communication circuitry and/or the one or more sensor components. The device may include a lug, connector or terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC
    Inventors: Ian Rubin de la Borbolla, Mark R. Drane, Cong Thanh Dinh, Andrew J. Feudner, Brian Burke
  • Patent number: 9698589
    Abstract: This specification describes direct current (DC) power distribution systems. One of the systems includes a DC power distribution bus that includes a plurality of sector distribution buses. Each sector distribution bus is coupled to a respective sector power source. A plurality of sector isolation switches are coupled between the sector distribution buses and configured to individually isolate each sector distribution bus from the DC power distribution bus. At least one load is coupled to at least two different sector distribution buses of the DC power distribution bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory E. Leyh
  • Patent number: 9673724
    Abstract: A matrix inverter is connected to a first and a second multi-phase A.C. voltage network. First inductive elements are connected to the first A.C. voltage network and second inductive elements are connected to the second A.C. voltage network. A switch matrix connects the ends of the first inductive elements, to the ends of the second inductive elements. The switch matrix has inverter units. A regulation arrangement is connected to control inputs of the inverter units. The matrix inverter has a first inverter unit, which is arranged between the ends of the first inductive circuit elements and earth potential. The matrix inverter has a second inverter unit, connected between the ends of the first inductive circuit elements and the ends of the second inductive circuit elements. The regulation arrangement insures that the electrical power flowing to the matrix inverter is equal to the electrical power flowing out of the matrix inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Mark Davies, Mike Dommaschk, Jörg Lang, Klaus Würflinger
  • Patent number: 9673580
    Abstract: An electrical connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1), a plurality of terminals (2) received in the insulative housing, and a shell (3). The insulative housing includes a base portion (11) and a tongue plate (12) extending from the base portion forwardly. The tongue plate includes a mating face (13) and a supporting face (14) opposite to the mating face. The terminals (22) include a pair of signal terminals defined in the supporting face, a grounding terminal, and a power terminal. The pair of signal terminals are defined between the grounding terminal and the power terminal. Each of the signal terminals, the grounding terminal, and the power terminal has a thickness greater than 0.2 mm. The power terminal is made of nickel and copper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: FOXCONN INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventor: Chun-Ming Yu