Polarity, Phase Sequence Or Reverse Flow Patents (Class 307/127)
  • Patent number: 8779634
    Abstract: A target closing phase determining circuit determines energization flux errors in respective phases and respective closing phases of a first phase, and determines a target closing phase of the first phase so as to minimize an evaluated value related to determined energization flux errors in the respective phases. Each of the energization flux errors is the maximum value of absolute values of center values of transformer fluxes generated in a static state after energization. The target closing phase determining circuit determines the energization flux errors based on residual flux values for the first to third phases of a three-phase power supply, respectively, a pre-arc characteristic and a closing time variation characteristic of a three-phase circuit breaker, a connection condition of windings of a three-phase transformer, to which the three-phase circuit breaker is connected, and voltage phase differences among the phases of the three-phase power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Tsutada, Takashi Hirai
  • Patent number: 8754597
    Abstract: A switchgear includes a power supply built into a common housing, and at least two drives. The power supply can be fed by an external supply voltage and an external consumer can be connected to the two drives. In at least one embodiment, the switchgear includes, in the same housing, a built-in overload detection for the two drives and/or a built-in circuit breaker function for the two drives, and/or a built-in control circuit for the common control of the two drives. The switchgear can optionally be completed by a transformer providing an additional function of the targeted charging of a buffer capacitor and/or by an energy accumulator providing an additional function of the targeted discharge thereof by temporarily switching on a connected consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Graf, Norbert Mitlmeier, Ludwig Niebler, Bernhard Streich
  • Patent number: 8736204
    Abstract: Apparatus for transferring power between an electricity network (UP) operating on alternating-current electricity and a multiphase electric machine (M2, M3), which apparatus comprises low-voltage power cells (CS, C11 . . . CN6) operating on a cascade principle, which power cells comprise a single-phase output connector (OUT), and at least one transformer (TA, T1 . . . TN), comprising for each power cell connected to it a single-phase or multiphase winding dedicated to the specific power cell, which transformer comprises at least one additional winding (WA, WB1 . . . WBN) connected to the same magnetic circuit as the other windings for the purpose of at least one auxiliary circuit, which can be connected to the aforementioned additional winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Vacon Oyj
    Inventors: Nicklas Södö, Risto Komulainen
  • Patent number: 8713363
    Abstract: The invention provides a power supply system for a data storage system, the power supply system comprising: a first power supply unit for supplying power to the storage system; a second power supply unit independent from the first power supply unit for supplying power to the storage system; an auxiliary power supply; a power redundancy controller, arranged to monitor the region of an efficiency curve within which the first and/or second power supplies are operating in and control the first and second power supplies accordingly such that the either or both of the first and second power supplies are providing power at any one time, wherein in the event of failure of a power supply unit when only one of the power supply units is operating, the power redundancy controller is arranged to provide power supply to the data storage system from the auxiliary power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventor: Tim Williams
  • Patent number: 8710704
    Abstract: A performance venue having a dynamic load management system for use in managing loads. The system uses a dead man circuit as a means for determining the actual or anticipated dynamic load produced by moving loads, and then disables the system by opening the dead man circuit when too many loads are moved or selected to be moved. Preferably, the invention is embodied in a dead man circuit is pure hardware, and is free of software components. The invention also provides a method of controlling movement of loads in a performance venue having a plurality machines. In its basic form, the method comprises selecting at least one of the machines for movement, closing a dead man circuit, and opening the dead man circuit if the current in the dead man circuit falls outside a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Lichter, Timothy P. Nolan, Larry J. Gauthier
  • Publication number: 20140091642
    Abstract: A device for controlling the polarity of a microphone of a portable terminal includes: a microphone that includes a current control element that is connected between a first polarity terminal and a second polarity terminal; first and second connection terminals that are connected to the first polarity terminal and the second polarity terminal of the microphone; a control unit that detects the level of at least one of the first and second connection terminals and determines whether the polarity of the microphone has been normally connected; a codec that is connected to a first polarity terminal and a second polarity terminal and codes audio signals; and a polarity adjusting unit that is connected between the first and second connection terminals and the first and second polarity terminals of the codec, and switches the outputs of the first and second connection terminals under the control of the control unit in the case of an abnormal connection, so as to be connected to the codec to align polarity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventor: Chang Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 8675326
    Abstract: A bidirectional switch device, has: a bidirectional switch having a HEMT; and a control circuit which, during a first condition, applies a first voltage lower than a threshold voltage across a gate and one terminal among a source and a drain of the HEMT to turn off a first current path from the other terminal among the source and the drain to the one terminal, and during a second condition, applies a second voltage lower than the threshold voltage across the other terminal and the gate to turn off a second current path from the one terminal to the other terminal, and further during a third condition, applies a third voltage higher than the threshold voltage across the source and the gate and across the drain and the gate of the HEMT to turn on the first and second current paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Ken Shono
  • Patent number: 8674631
    Abstract: A power conversion apparatus includes: a line breaker that is connected in series to a direct-current power supply; a first capacitor that is connected in parallel to the direct-current power supply through the line breaker; a discharge circuit that includes a resistor and a first switching circuit connected in series and is connected in parallel to the first capacitor; a power converter for driving a synchronous machine; a second capacitor that is connected in parallel to a direct-current side of the power converter; a second switching circuit that is connected in series between the first capacitor and the second capacitor; and a control circuit for controlling the discharge circuit. The control circuit controls the discharge circuit on the basis of the voltage of the first capacitor and the voltage of the second capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Kono, Keita Hatanaka
  • Patent number: 8649146
    Abstract: A circuit protection device includes a trip mechanism and at least one capacitor configured to store electrical energy and to provide the electrical energy to the trip mechanism. The circuit protection device also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the at least one capacitor and configured to measure a charge property of the at least one capacitor, compare the measured charge property to a threshold, and output a signal indicative of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Craig Benjamin Williams
  • Patent number: 8638534
    Abstract: A load driving device according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention includes: an output transistor coupled between a first power supply line and an output terminal; the output terminal being configured to be coupled with a load; a driver circuit that controls conduction/non-conduction of the output transistor; a compensation transistor that is coupled between the output terminal and a second power supply line, and becomes conductive when the driver circuit renders the output transistor non-conductive and when a potential of the second power supply line reaches a predetermined value or greater, to maintain a non-conduction state of the output transistor; and a first resistor coupled between the second power supply line and a back gate of the compensation transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiro Nakahara
  • Publication number: 20140001886
    Abstract: A system and method to perform automatic phase reversal detection are described. The system includes a first subsystem and a second subsystem configured to be synchronized with the first subsystem. A controller is configured to receive a first input from the first subsystem or the second subsystem and a second input from the first subsystem or the second subsystem and perform phase reversal detection based on the first input and the second input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Shailender Singireddy, Sridhar Nedunsezian, Balakrishna Pamulaparthy
  • Patent number: 8605399
    Abstract: A load driving device according to an aspect of the present invention may includes an output transistor and a load connected in series between first and second power supply lines, a protection transistor connected between a gate of the output transistor and the second power supply line, the protection transistor turning on the output transistor when a polarity of a power supply connected between the first and second power supply lines is reversed, and a resistor arranged on a line, which supplies a voltage to a back gate of the protection transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiro Nakahara
  • Patent number: 8508078
    Abstract: A switching circuit controls the flow of current between its input and output in accordance with the state of a control signal applied to the circuit. When the control signal is in a first state and the voltage applied to the input is higher than the voltage at the output, the circuit provides a low resistance path between its input and output terminals thereby enabling current to flow from the input to the output. When the control signal is in the first state and the voltage at the output is higher than the voltage at the input, the circuit inhibits current flow from the output to the input. When the control signal is in a second state, the circuit is turned off thus inhibiting current flow between the input and the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Decicon, Inc.
    Inventor: Baris Posat
  • Publication number: 20130163141
    Abstract: An input circuit includes an interface structured to output a logic signal from an alternating current signal of a pair of elongated conductors. A load is switchable to the elongated conductors. A processor outputs a control signal to switch the load to the elongated conductors asynchronously with respect to the alternating current signal for a first predetermined time, inputs the logic signal, determines if the input logic signal is active a plurality of times during the first predetermined time and responsively sets a first state of the alternating current signal, and, otherwise, sets an opposite second state of the alternating current signal, and delays for a second predetermined time, which is longer than the first predetermined time, for the opposite second state before repeating the output, and, otherwise, delays for a third predetermined time, which is longer than the second predetermined time, for the first state before repeating the output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Eaton Corporation
  • Patent number: 8471414
    Abstract: A low impedance polarity conversion circuit for driving a load with a DC power source is disclosed. The DC power source has a first pole from which a first DC signal originates and a second pole from which a second DC signal originates. The first DC signal has a voltage greater than a voltage of the second DC signal. The conversion circuit includes a circuit output node through which an output DC signal is delivered from the conversion circuit to the load. The conversion circuit also includes a charge conditioning circuit for generating third and fourth DC signals. The third DC signal has a voltage greater than the first DC signal voltage and the fourth DC signal has a voltage less than the second DC signal voltage. A rectification circuit includes first and second inputs for attachment to the first pole and the second pole. A Field-Effect Transistor (FET) bridge is electrically connected to the first and second inputs. The FET bridge includes first and second pairs of cooperating FETs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: The Flewelling Ford Family Trust
    Inventors: Timothy D. F. Ford, Bernard Moffett
  • Publication number: 20130154393
    Abstract: A system for transmitting alternating current power and communication signals between a first location and a second location through a communication path which includes at least one inductive load and at least one switch configured to switch power to the at least one inductive load on and off is disclosed herein. The system comprises a control configured to control the at least one switch so that, if the power is switched on during a particular phase of the power, is the power is switched off during the opposite phase of the power, and if the power is switched off during a particular phase of the power, the power is switched on during the opposite phase of the power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: Vetco Gray Controls Limited
    Inventor: Vetco Gray Controls Limited
  • Patent number: 8446050
    Abstract: A solid-state alternating current (AC) switch provides for the sequential turn-on of the associated solid-state switches to reduce the generation of electromagnetic interference (EMI). The solid-state AC switch includes at least first and second solid-state switches connected in series between an AC input and an AC load. A zero-cross detector circuit monitors the AC input to determine zero-crossings associated with the monitored AC input. A controller turns on the first solid-state switch and the second solid-state switch according to a turn-on sequence in which the first transistor is turned ON during a detected zero-crossing window associated with the first transistor and the second transistor is subsequently turned ON during a detected zero-crossing associated with the second transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Robert D. Klapatch
  • Patent number: 8432060
    Abstract: For a device for the electrical actuation of a safety-critical system, having at least two terminals, at least one switch, an operator control element, by means of which at least two operating states for the system are selectable, by means of which switching positions of the at least one switch are determined, it is proposed that at least one current direction element is provided, so that for at least one of the at least two operating states a unidirectional current flow occurs between the at least two terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Lucas Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Grieser-Schmitz, Werner Scheider
  • Patent number: 8421276
    Abstract: An exemplary control system has an input connector operable to connect to a power source and at least one output connector operable to connect to either a load or a power source. A first solid state switch is also provided, operable to control a flow of current between the input connector and the output connector. A second solid state switch communicates with the first solid state switch and is operable to command the first solid state switch to prevent the flow of current between the output connector and input connector in response to the power source being connected to the output connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Masco Canada Limited
    Inventor: Jeff Belz
  • Patent number: 8415835
    Abstract: A plug-in power line conditioner is configured to receive an AC voltage from a circuit and insert a correction signal onto the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8351172
    Abstract: A power supply control apparatus includes an output transistor coupled between a first power supply line and an output terminal, the output terminal being configured to be coupled with a load, a discharge transistor coupled between a gate of the output transistor and the output terminal, and rendered conductive when the output transistor is brought into a non-conduction state, a negative voltage control unit coupled between the first power supply line and the gate of the output transistor, and bringing the output transistor into a conduction state when the counter electromotive voltage applied to the output terminal from the load exceeds a predetermined value, a diode having a cathode coupled with the first power supply line, and an anode, a third resistor provided between the anode of the diode and a second power supply line, and a compensation transistor coupled between the second power supply line and the output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiro Nakahara
  • Patent number: 8344541
    Abstract: A reverse current protection system for a vehicle electrical system that communicates with a trailer electrical system generally includes a mode determination module that receives a reverse current flow detection signal and that selectively determines a field effect transistor (FET) operating mode to be a reverse on mode based on the reverse current flow detection signal. A current flow control module generates a current flow control signal to a field effect transistor to control the field effect transistor based on the determined FET operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Yazaki North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kang Li, Alain Grenier
  • Publication number: 20120293018
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to a device for correcting the polarity of electricity in a circuit. In direct current circuits, a positive voltage received from a power source will exit the device at a predetermined output regardless of which input of the device received the positive voltage. In alternating current circuits, one or more currents received from a hot output(s) of a power source will be connected to a predetermined output(s) of the device regardless of which input(s) received the current(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: International Safety & Development, LLC
    Inventor: Paul M. Cruz
  • Patent number: 8300436
    Abstract: A power factor correction (PFC) protection device used when an abnormal current of a three-phase inverter occurs and a method of controlling the same are disclosed. If any mis-connection (or non-connection) occurs due to a mistake of a producer at a power-supply input terminal applied to the reactor and the switching element, a current applied to the switching element becomes an abnormal current, such that the PFC cannot be controlled. During the PFC control, the device detects a current waveform generated from the switching element at a current sensor of the common potential terminal, and determines whether there is a mis-connection caused by the abnormal current. If the mis-connection is decided, the device compares a current pattern with a mis-connection pattern, and changes the PFC control output applied to the switching element according to the searched mis-connection pattern, such that the PFC control can be normally carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong Hun Ha, Ho Gul Song
  • Patent number: 8270133
    Abstract: A power supply control apparatus includes: an output transistor coupled between a first power supply line and an output terminal, the output terminal being configured to be coupled with a load; a protection transistor coupled between a gate of the output transistor and a second power supply line; a negative voltage control unit coupled between the first power supply line and the gate of the output transistor; a compensation transistor bringing the second power supply line and the output terminal into a conduction state when a counter electromotive voltage from the load is applied to the output terminal; and a back gate control circuit that controls the second power supply line and a back gate of each of the compensation transistor and the protection transistor to be brought into a conduction state in a standby state when the polarity of the power supply is normal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiro Nakahara
  • Patent number: 8212423
    Abstract: A switching controlgear of circuit breaker 100 outputs an opening command signal or closing command signal to the circuit breaker with the maximum being 1 cycle or less of wait time when the opening command signal or closing command signal is detected, and can cause the circuit breaker to open or to close at a desired phase of the main circuit current or power system voltage. The switching controlgear of circuit breaker 100 has switching control signal output time calculation means 10 and switching command signal output delay means 20. The switching control signal output time calculation means 10 calculates the switching control signal output time using the detection timing of the opening command signal or closing command signal as a reference so that the circuit breaker opens or closes at the desired phase after the total time of the switching control signal output time and the estimated opening operation time or estimated closing operation time of the circuit breaker 620 is elapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Minoru Saito
  • Patent number: 8183715
    Abstract: A reverse current preventing circuit of an N channel type switching MOS transistor connected between a voltage input terminal and an output terminal to control a conduction state between the voltage input terminal and the output terminal, the circuit comprises: a first MOS transistor connected between a substrate of the switching MOS transistor and a ground point; and a second MOS transistor connected between the substrate of the switching MOS transistor and a point having a piece of predetermined constant potential higher than that of the ground point, wherein the piece of predetermined constant potential higher than that of the ground point is applied to the substrate of the switching MOS transistor while the switching MOS transistor is made to be in its on-state, and ground potential is applied to the substrate of the switching MOS transistor while the switching MOS transistor is made to be in its off-state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Hanawa, Osamu Kawagoe, Tomiyuki Nagai, Hitoshi Tabuchi
  • Patent number: 8174808
    Abstract: A load driving device according to an aspect of the present invention may includes an output transistor and a load connected in series between first and second power supply lines, a protection transistor connected between a gate of the output transistor and the second power supply line, the protection transistor turning on the output transistor when a polarity of a power supply connected between the first and second power supply lines is reversed, and a resistor arranged on a line, which supplies a voltage to a back gate of the protection transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiro Nakahara
  • Publication number: 20120056496
    Abstract: A method is provided for connecting an inductive load, especially a winding of a generator, for testing purposes to a predetermined alternating medium voltage, whereby the inductive load is connected to the medium voltage by means of a breaker. To reduce the inrush current, the connection is timed to come into effect when the medium voltage has a predetermined phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Andy RUDEL, Carsten MEINECKE, Johann REIS
  • Patent number: 8093758
    Abstract: A power pick-up for an Inductively Coupled Power Transfer (ICPT) system is provided having a resonant pick up circuit. The natural frequency of the pick-up circuit may be varied by controlling the conductance or capacitance of a variable reactive in the resonant circuit. The load being supplied by the pick-up circuit is sensed, and the effective capacitance or inductance of the variable reactive component is controlled to vary the natural resonant frequency of the pick-up circuit to thereby control the power flow into the pick-up to satisfy the power required by the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Auckland Uniservices Limited
    Inventors: Stephan H Hussmann, Aiguo Hu
  • Patent number: 8093748
    Abstract: The Universal Power Inlet System, or UPIS, is a method of providing universal attachment of 3 different types of electrical power systems into the input circuitry of a Power Distribution Unit, or PDU. This method allows use of either fixed or detachable power cord options permitting the PDU to be powered by any of the following types of electrical power sources: 3-Phase Delta, 3-Phase Star (or Wye) and Single-Phase. This method also describes a way to uniquely identify the specific power system the mentioned PDU is currently attached to. The method also optionally allows derivation of supplementary information about the electrical power system such as current capacity, or ampacity, of the power cord being used. All this information can be used for capacity monitoring and reporting as well as protection of PDU circuitry and power cords.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Avocent Huntsville Corporation
    Inventor: Carlos E. Martins
  • Patent number: 8067859
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control circuit and a corresponding method for controlling MOSFETs coupled to the control circuit. The MOSFETs are coupled to a load to couple the load to a power supply, or the MOSFETs are coupled to a generator. In case of inverted polarity, the control circuit switches the MOSFETs to their conducting state to prevent damaging the MOSFETs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Benno Koeppl, Karl-Dieter Hein, Frank Auer
  • Publication number: 20110278955
    Abstract: A MOSFET implemented self-powered current by-pass or circuit breaker device is based on the use of a high multiplication factor (HMF) inductive voltage booster, adapted to boost a voltage as low as few tens of mV up to several Volts, assisted by a start-up low multiplication factor (LMF) charge pump made with low threshold transistors for providing a supply voltage to a polarity inversion detecting comparator of the drain-to-source voltage difference of a power MOSFET connected in parallel to a DC source or string of series connected DC sources or battery, in series to other DC sources during normal operation of the parallel connected DC source or string of series connected DC sources or battery. The inductance for the high multiplication factor, inductive voltage booster for most of the considered power applications is on the order of a few pH and such a relatively send inductor may be included as a discrete component in a compact package or “system-in-package” of monolithically integrated circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Tiziana Teresa Signorelli, Francesco Pulvirenti
  • Patent number: 8058751
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a line terminal, a load terminal, separable contacts electrically connected in series between the terminals, a neutral conductor, and an operating mechanism structured to open and close the contacts and trip open the contacts in response to a trip signal. A first sensor senses an electrical characteristic operatively associated with the contacts. A second sensor detects zero crossings, a consecutive pair of the crossings defining a corresponding half-cycle and a first frequency. A processor cooperates with the sensors and includes a routine and a timer having a second frequency. The routine determines, for each of the half-cycles and responsive to the timer, plural samples of the sensed electrical characteristic in a phase synchronized relationship to a corresponding one of the crossings, and determines whether one of the frequencies exceeds a number of corresponding predetermined values for a number of times and responsively outputs the trip signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin L. Parker
  • Publication number: 20110241445
    Abstract: A transceiver interface is disclosed in which a true positive node and a true ground node are maintained with three adaptive terminals. The adaptive terminals each have pairs of isolation elements linking them to the true positive node and true ground node, whereby, each of the adaptive terminals can function as a positive terminal, ground terminal, and transceiver terminal, in response to how the interface is connected to external equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: TRIUNE IP LLC
    Inventors: Ross Teggatz, Wayne Chen, Brett Smith
  • Patent number: 8031450
    Abstract: A power supply control circuit includes a control circuit that controls an output transistor to be rendered conductive by forming a second electrical path between a second power supply line and a control terminal of the output transistor when a power supply voltage is applied in a reverse direction between first and second power supply lines, and that controls a second electrical path to be electrically disconnected when the power supply voltage is applied in a forward direction between the first and second power supply lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiro Nakahara
  • Patent number: 8027130
    Abstract: A fan system is electrically connected to a power source, and the fan system includes a power reverse protection apparatus, a voltage regulator, a driver, and a fan. The power reverse protection apparatus, electrically connected to the power source, includes a voltage regulator switch and an activating device. The voltage regulator switch receives an input signal and outputs a first output signal according to the input signal. The activating device is electrically connected to the power source and the voltage regulator switch for receiving the input signal and the first output signal, respectively. The activating device outputs a second output signal to the fan according to the first output signal. The voltage regulator is electrically connected to the power source for receiving the input signal from the power source and outputting a regulating signal according to the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei-Long Tai, Chien-Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 7996575
    Abstract: Given the different configurations for SAS and SATA Host and Target Ports, embodiments of the present invention automatically detect the configuration of SATA and SAS Phys when any device is inserted into a port enclosure and properly configure the connection regardless of the Phy configuration of the connected device. When a device is connected to the system, the port listens for either a SATA or SAS OOB signal to determine if the receive pin of the port is properly connected to the transmit signal of the attached device. By switching the configuration periodically and listening for the OOB signal, the port can determine which configuration is proper. Once a signal is detected, the port can properly configure the connection and continue with the SATA or SAS insertion algorithm. A user may alternatively choose which configuration to use and bypass the automatic detection and configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Emulex Design & Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Calvin Springer Hall, IV, David Alexander Neufeld, Hugh Le, Brett Talmadge White
  • Patent number: 7989985
    Abstract: A battery return disconnect (“BRD”) circuit for use with a battery supply having a plurality of electrically parallel inter-connecting batteries. The BRD circuit includes a plurality of DC input ports, a set of OR-ing diodes, a plurality of polarity detectors and a plurality of switches. Each input port includes a DC input terminal and a DC return terminal. Each OR-ing diode is connected to a DC input terminal or a DC return terminal and is forward-biased to when the BRD circuit is connected to a plurality of batteries having substantially the same voltage level. Each polarity detector monitors the bias of an OR-ing diode electrically connected to a corresponding DC input terminal. Each switch is connected to a DC return terminal and a polarity detector. Each switch is closed as long as the monitored OR-ing diode is forward-biased and open when the monitored OR-ing diode is reverse-biased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Ciena Corporation
    Inventor: Amrish Patel
  • Publication number: 20110181126
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and device for current measuring, controlling, and heat sinking which includes a positive electrode terminal carrier, a positive electrode output terminal carrier, a negative electrode terminal carrier, and a current control circuit carrier. The system and device is to be installed on a battery with high current capacity. In which the output current flowing through the battery's positive electrode is measured by the current measurement device which is installed in the positive electrode terminal carrier. A reverse current control switch and a forward current control switch are installed in the current control circuit carrier to control the current flowing path and the current flowing in the path. Furthermore the heat generated by the circuit is radiated by the current control circuit carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Jenn-Yang Tien, Jan-Wu Hong
  • Patent number: 7969046
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a power supply control apparatus which can connect a ground to a suitable electric potential when the ground is disconnected. The power supply control apparatus includes a control circuit having a switch element and a switch control unit, and a load. One terminal of load is connected to a direct-current power supply through the switch element, and the other terminal is connected to a ground electric potential. The switch control unit has a ground terminal connected to the ground electric potential and outputting a ground current flowing toward the ground electric potential. The control circuit includes a bypass device having a load side bypass system for passing the ground current to the ground electric potential through the load when connection between the ground terminal and the ground electric potential is disconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignees: Yazaki Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masashi Nakayama, Shigemi Ishima, Kazuhiro Aoki, Akihito Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 7936093
    Abstract: In a phase control switching device that controls a closing phase of a three-phase switching device connected between a power-supply-side transmission line and a compensation transmission line having a shunt reactor, a closing-phase control unit operates based on a closing command to the three-phase switching device, generates, for each phase, a closing phase in which the three-phase switching device is closed at zero points, both polarities of which are inverted into the same polarity, among zero points where zero points of a voltage changing ratio and zero points of the shunt reactor current coincide with each other, and controls the three-phase switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Sadayuki Kinoshita, Kenji Kamei, Haruhiko Koyama, Tomohito Mori
  • Patent number: 7924540
    Abstract: A main transistor and a reverse current prevention transistor are provided in series between an input terminal and an output terminal. An input diode is provided between a connection point of the reverse current prevention transistor and the main transistor and a reference voltage terminal in such a direction that the anode becomes the reference voltage terminal side. A control unit controls the gate voltage of the main transistor according to a DC voltage. The reverse current prevention transistor is arranged in such a direction that the anode of its body diode becomes the input terminal side. The reverse current prevention transistor is biased to be turned on in a normal state that the input terminal becomes high potential and the reference voltage terminal becomes low potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoichi Tamegai
  • Patent number: 7898104
    Abstract: A controller box comprises an array of switches for arbitrarily connecting loads to any selected power phase of a polyphase supply circuit. By evenly balancing the loads amongst the phases the efficiency of the total power delivered is thereby improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Cyber Switching, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Verges
  • Patent number: 7839665
    Abstract: A system interconnection inverter includes a step-up converter and an inverter. Moreover, the system interconnection inverter includes a short-circuit current-interrupting diode with a cathode connected to an input terminal of a negative bus, a semiconductor switch connected to an anode of the short-circuit current-interrupting diode, a semiconductor switch drive circuit that drives the semiconductor switch, a semiconductor switch-off circuit that turns off the semiconductor switch drive circuit when negative power is applied such that electric current flows from a cathode toward an anode of the input terminal, and a control circuit that controls the semiconductor switch drive circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Toba, Noriyuki Matsubara, Masanori Kageyama, Hirokazu Nakabayashi
  • Patent number: 7808128
    Abstract: Network protectors isolate the secondary side of a transformer from a load distribution network. It is useful to have information about the electrical parameters for the transformer and the load side of an open network protector and it is useful to have access to electrical parameters for a closed network protector. Information about a network protector can be provided to a transmitter used to convey information about the transformer associated with that network protector so that information about the network protector can be sent over power liner carrier to a centralized receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: DGI Creations, LLC
    Inventors: John Robert Weber, Jr., Carl Francis Scheuermann
  • Publication number: 20100225169
    Abstract: A reverse current preventing circuit of an N channel type switching MOS transistor connected between a voltage input terminal and an output terminal to control a conduction state between the voltage input terminal and the output terminal, the circuit comprises: a first MOS transistor connected between a substrate of the switching MOS transistor and a ground point; and a second MOS transistor connected between the substrate of the switching MOS transistor and a point having a piece of predetermined constant potential higher than that of the ground point, wherein the piece of predetermined constant potential higher than that of the ground point is applied to the substrate of the switching MOS transistor while the switching MOS transistor is made to be in its on-state, and ground potential is applied to the substrate of the switching MOS transistor while the switching MOS transistor is made to be in its off-state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daisuke Hanawa, Osamu Kawagoe, Tomiyuki Nagai, Hitoshi Tabuchi
  • Patent number: 7777370
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing isolated high and low direct current power supplies to a Power Device using a sealed high Power Device Gate Driver having a single transformer, wherein the Gate Driver integrates the power supplies, gating control and gate control, gate drive and Power Device diagnostics into a sealed unit, wherein the unit may be further sealed hermetically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Hassan Ali Kojori, Robert D. Paton, Andrew Eftychiou
  • Patent number: 7723871
    Abstract: A plural number of bridge circuits, each having a rectifier circuit with positive half wave control electrodes and a rectifier circuit with negative half wave control electrodes, and each of the plural number of the bridge circuits is connected to one winding of a power supply transformer; the rectifier circuit with negative half wave control electrodes selected from the plurality of the bridge circuits is electrically conducted when a predetermined the rectifier circuit with positive half wave control electrodes of the plurality of the bridge circuits is electrically conducted; the rectifier circuits with positive half wave control electrodes and the rectifier circuits with negative half wave control electrodes are connected by a plurality of loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Toshiba Mitsubishi-Electric Industrial Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Toyohiko Kiyohara, Takayoshi Hashizume
  • Patent number: 7692908
    Abstract: Circuits and methods for protecting polarity-sensitive components, such as light emitting diodes, electrolytic capacitors or integrated circuits, operating from a DC current source including a DC motor, an inductor or relay having a positive terminal and a negative terminal for receiving current from the current source, a protection diode connected parallel with the positive and negative terminals of the motor in a reverse bias configuration, at least one polarity-sensitive component connected in parallel with the protection diode and the DC motor, and a polarity protection transistor connected either between the nominally positive current source terminal and the positive motor terminal, or between the nominally negative current source terminal and the negative motor terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: GLJ, LLC
    Inventors: Harry Chen, Eric Junkel