Power Circuit Controlled Patents (Class 307/140)
  • Patent number: 9875207
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a remote terminal unit (RTU) having one or more input/output (I/O) modules and a controller module. Each of the one or more I/O modules includes multiple I/O channels. The controller module includes at least one processing device configured to communicate with at least one industrial field device via the I/O channels of the I/O modules. The controller module includes a first connector, and a first of the one or more I/O modules includes a second connector. The first connector is configured to be physically connected to the second connector, and the first and second connectors are configured to transport data and power directly between the controller module and the first I/O module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Jie Lv, Lei Zou, Zhi Yang, Min Zhang
  • Patent number: 9859717
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for controlling power modes in electronic devices are provided. A system may include an electronic device and an input device that sends power mode selection information via a network to a power mode selection receiving component in the electronic device. The electronic device includes a first power component that powers a first component, and a switching component that controls the first power component. The electronic device may include a second power component that powers a second component. The switching component may control the second power component. The power mode selection receiving component and the switching component may be powered independently of the first and the second component. If the power mode selection information indicates an off mode, the electronic device may provide power to the power mode selection receiving component and the switching component and not to the first and the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: D&R Tech LLC
    Inventors: Deepak Massand, Rajan Jetley
  • Patent number: 9860478
    Abstract: An electronic device and a broadcasting signal receiver including the same are disclosed. The electronic device includes a power supply unit supplying electric power and a connector including a plurality of pins. When a jack of a first external device having a self power source is connected to the connector, the power supply unit does not supply the electric power to the first external device through the connector. When a jack of a second external device not having a self power source is connected to the connector, the power supply unit supplies the electric power to the second external device through the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Jaehun Lee
  • Patent number: 9831680
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for controlling power modes in electronic devices are provided. A system may include an electronic device and an input device that sends power mode selection information via a network to a power mode selection receiving component in the electronic device. The electronic device includes a first power component that powers a first component, and a switching component that controls the first power component. The electronic device may include a second power component that powers a second component. The switching component may control the second power component. The power mode selection receiving component and the switching component may be powered independently of the first and the second component. If the power mode selection information indicates an off mode, the electronic device may provide power to the power mode selection receiving component and the switching component and not to the first and the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: D&R Tech LLC
    Inventors: Deepak Massand, Rajan Jetley
  • Patent number: 9829960
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reliable redundant power distribution. Some embodiments include micro Automatic Transfer Switches (micro-ATSs), including various components and techniques for facilitating reliable auto-switching functionality in a small footprint (e.g., less than ten cubic inches, with at least one dimension being less than a standard NEMA rack height). Other embodiments include systems and techniques for integrating a number of micro-ATSs into a parallel auto-switching module for redundant power delivery to a number of devices. Implementations of the parallel auto-switching module are configured to be mounted in, on top of, or on the side of standard equipment racks. Still other embodiments provide power distribution topologies that exploit functionality of the micro-ATSs and/or the parallel micro-ATS modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Zonit Structured Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: William Pachoud, Steve Chapel
  • Patent number: 9811139
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for power supply are provided. The apparatus for power supply includes a main power circuit, an auxiliary power circuit and a power switching control circuit. The main power circuit is configured to generate a main power suitable to be provided to a first load and a second load for use. The auxiliary power circuit is configured to generate an auxiliary power suitable to be provided to the second load for use. The power switching control circuit is configured to detect a voltage difference between the main power and the auxiliary power and determine whether the apparatus meets a normal power supply condition, so as to select one of the main power and auxiliary power as a power source of the second load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: FSP TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: Chien-Li Tsai
  • Patent number: 9793730
    Abstract: A motor-driven appliance comprises a drive source for driving a tool, a control unit, a power supply unit, a switch unit, a receiving unit, a supply signal output unit, and a data communication unit. The power supply unit generates a control voltage for operating the control unit. The switch unit supplies the control voltage to the control unit and stops supply of the control voltage to the control unit. The control voltage is supplied to the control unit while a given supply signal is inputted to the switch unit. The supply signal output unit outputs, to the switch unit, the supply signal for supplying the control voltage to the control unit when the receiving unit receives the electromagnetic wave while the supply of the control voltage to the control unit is stopped. The data communication unit outputs, to the control unit, the data contained in the electromagnetic wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hidekazu Suda, Takuya Kusakawa
  • Patent number: 9793697
    Abstract: A junction box assembly is presented. The junction box has a top side, left side, right side, bottom side and rear side which define a space therein. The junction box assembly also features a plurality of openings within at least one of the sides. An interface is disposed within the junction box assembly and has a plurality of connectors disposed thereon, the interface capable of receiving a wire through said at least one opening and wherein said wire is capable of being placed in electrical and mechanical communication with at least one of the connectors. The junction box assembly is capable of receiving a plug-in inserted therein and providing electrical communication between the wire and the plug-in through said at least one of the connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Colao, Shannon Gaither
  • Patent number: 9774403
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a power supply circuit and panel. The power supply circuit includes: a power supply module (10), a switch module (20), which is separately connected to the power supply module (10), a terminal device, and the distribution point, and is connected to the distribution point and the terminal device when the distribution point does not need to be supplied with power, and is connected to the power supply module (10) and the distribution point when the distribution point needs to be supplied with power; a control module (30), an isolation module (40) and a service backhaul module (50), which is separately connected to the isolation module (40) and the terminal device, and outputs the external service to the terminal device when the distribution point needs to be supplied with power. The embodiments of the present invention further provide a power supply panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xingguo Gao
  • Patent number: 9760065
    Abstract: A home appliance, a home appliance system, and a control method thereof are disclosed. Transmission and reception of data are performed between the terminal and the home appliance using near field communication (NFC), thereby easily checking information of the home appliance. In addition, operation of the home appliance is easily set and changed through an application installed in the terminal and information regarding the home appliance received from the home appliance is displayed through the terminal such that a user checks various kinds of information regarding the home appliance, thereby greatly improving user convenience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Yujin Song, Kyoungdong Kim, Dongwoo Han
  • Patent number: 9746502
    Abstract: Systems and methods of monitoring a power system power converter are provided herein. The system includes a plurality of parallel-coupled power converters comprising a power converter input and a power converter output, the power converter output configured to be coupled to a load, each power converter of the plurality of parallel-coupled power converters comprising a power converter controller. The power converter controller is configured to compare an output current of a corresponding power converter to a predetermined output current threshold, monitor the output current for a predetermined time duration when the output current is below the predetermined output current threshold, and shut down the corresponding power converter when the output current is below the predetermined output current threshold for the predetermined time duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ravi Gautam, Palanivel Subramaniam, Raghothama Reddy
  • Patent number: 9715246
    Abstract: A method of undervoltage detection includes detecting a voltage level for a power supply of a system, placing the system in an undervoltage state if the voltage level is below an undervoltage threshold, activating a load of the system at a first power level if the detected voltage level exceeds a first activation threshold and if the system resides in the undervoltage state, and activating the load at a second power level if the detected voltage level exceeds a second activation threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Edwards, Anthony F. Andresen
  • Patent number: 9705323
    Abstract: A power control includes a switch, having a first terminal coupled to a power supply, a second terminal coupled to a voltage converter, and a control terminal and a first switch controller coupled to the control terminal of the switch and the chipset, controlling the switch to couple the power supply to the voltage converter according to a turning-on event of the power supply system, wherein the first switch controller comprises a power-on switch. The switch does not couple the power supply to the voltage converter before the turning-on event of the power supply system. The power control circuit is configured such that when the power supply is plugged in, but before the power-on switch is conducting during the turning-on event of the power supply system, the power supply is isolated from the voltage converter and the chipset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: VIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Wei-Te Huang
  • Patent number: 9699870
    Abstract: A wall-mountable remote control device may be installed in place of an existing light switch and may be configured to transmit wireless signals to an electrical load device, such as a screw-in light-emitting diode (LED) lamp, to provide control of the electrical load device. The remote control device may comprise an air-gap switch adapted to be electrically coupled in series between a power source and the controllable light source, but may not comprise a bidirectional semiconductor switch for controlling the amount of power delivered to the electrical load device using a phase-control dimming technique. The remote control device may have a low-profile enclosure that is smaller than an enclosure of a standard dimmer switch, and thus may be easier to install in an electrical wallbox. The remote control device may comprise two parts including an air-gap switch device and a wireless communication device mounted to the air-gap switch device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventor: Joel S. Spira
  • Patent number: 9673622
    Abstract: The linear controlling module of the present invention includes a controlling switch, a first resistor, a capacitor, and a second resistor. The controlling switch is electrically connected to a controlling signal outputting terminal of a power supplying device, the first resistor is electrically connected to the controlling switch, the capacitor is electrically connected to a electric power outputting terminal of the power supplying device and the first resistor, and the second resistor is electrically connected to the switch component of the power supplying device, the first resistor, and the capacitor. The switch component is electrically connected to an electric power outputting terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Chicony Power Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tzu-Hung Wang, Chen-Hsiung Lee, Chang-Cheng Hsiao
  • Patent number: 9648448
    Abstract: A power outlet for controlling power to an external device and transmitting data to the external device, the power outlet including: a housing containing at least one alternating-current power input connection; a power output connection; a data connector; a sensor module; a wireless communication module, including an antenna; a processing unit configured to receive data and control an electrically connected device through the power output connection and/or data connector based on the received data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: LIFI Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Bosua, Marc Alexander
  • Patent number: 9635720
    Abstract: The AC-DC power booster includes an electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter circuit that is included to convert alternating current (AC) power from among applied AC power and direct current (DC) power, to DC power to be output; a power factor correction (PFC) circuit that is connected to the EMI filter circuit and stabilizes an output voltage; and a switching mode power supply (SMPS) circuit that is connected to the PFC circuit and is capable of generating AC and DC power at the same time; a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) circuit that applies the voltage output from the SMPS circuit between a drain and a source of a switching device; a battery that is charged by receiving power from a solar light energy source connected to the MPPT circuit; and an inverter that operates an AC home appliance with the power received in the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: BOLTIER R&D INC.
    Inventor: Hun Yong Choe
  • Patent number: 9628283
    Abstract: To initiate the transmission of electrical power over a telecommunications connection from a power-collecting telecommunications interface unit such as a customer premises equipment, connectable to a power supply, to a power-receiving unit such as a curbside electrical/optical interface, when a connection is first established, or the collecting unit is first powered up, or in order to re-establish connection after a power outage, control signals are transmitted between low-power modems in the interface units using a low-power communications protocol. This allows the controlled initiation of a larger power output and a higher speed exchange of data once the full telecommunications connection has been established. A low-powered beacon signal is transmitted over the telecommunications connection by the power-collecting telecommunications interface unit on connection to a power supply, for detection by the power-receiving telecommunications interface unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
    Inventor: Ian Robert Cooper
  • Patent number: 9601283
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide IGBT circuit modules with increased efficiencies. These efficiencies can be realized in a number of ways. In some embodiments, the gate resistance and/or voltage can be minimized. In some embodiments, the IGBT circuit module can be switched using an isolated receiver such as a fiber optic receiver. In some embodiments, a single driver can drive a single IGBT. And in some embodiments, a current bypass circuit can be included. Various other embodiments of the invention are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: EAGLE HARBOR TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Ziemba, Kenneth E. Miller, John G. Carscadden, James Prager
  • Patent number: 9587847
    Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of climate control system controllers and methods for staging controller functions. In an exemplary embodiment, a climate control system controller generally includes power stealing circuitry, charge storage device(s) for storing charge provided by the power stealing circuitry and for providing power for controller functions, and a processor. For each controller function, the processor predefines a maximum wait time corresponding to the controller function. Before performance of one of the controller functions, the processor compares at least once the current level of charge on the charge storage device(s) to a predefined voltage level. Based on the comparing, the processor delays performance of the controller function until the corresponding predefined maximum wait time has passed and/or the current level of charge on the charge storage device(s) has reached the predefined voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: G. Scott Vogel, Rishi Siravuri
  • Patent number: 9590343
    Abstract: A switching electrical power contactor having a bi-blade type switch, has ferrous plates attached to the blades to increase the current carrying capacity and reduce the resistance of the switch. The contactor is incorporated on the outside of a mains meter enclosure or in a wall box for a mains meter, within the space defined by the sprung jaws of the meter socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: JOHNSON ELECTRIC INTERNATIONAL (UK) LIMITED
    Inventor: Richard Anthony Connell
  • Patent number: 9590438
    Abstract: A power supply control circuit for a portable electronic device is capable of connecting and disconnecting a power supply with respect to an electrical load of the device. The power supply control circuit offers a relatively quick transition time and low leakage current, making the control circuit particularly suitable for applications that require the power supply to remain connected to the electrical load at all times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: ABBOTT DIABETES CARE INC.
    Inventors: Scott D. Dalton, Theodore J. Kunich
  • Patent number: 9591724
    Abstract: Managing solid-state luminary (SSL) fixtures over power line carrier (PLC) networks is described herein. Devices provided in this description include SSL arrays, and converter circuitry coupled to drive the SSL arrays. More specifically, the converter circuitry is adapted to convert input voltage received from a power distribution network into a level suitable for driving the SSL arrays. The devices also include (PLC) modems for coupling to PLC networks, and coupled to the converter circuitry. In particular, the PLC modems interface the converter circuitry to the PLC networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: COOPER TECHNOLOGIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Ashok Deepak Shah, David Diehl Roberts, III
  • Patent number: 9590416
    Abstract: The invention relates to a safety device for a high-voltage system, having a coupling device which switchably couples high-voltage components of the high-voltage system to external components, and which is designed to electrically separate the high-voltage components from the external components depending on actuation of a safety switch, having a discharge circuit which is designed to electrically discharge the high-voltage components depending on actuation of the safety switch, and having a monitoring device which is designed to monitor electric parameters of the discharge circuit or of the high-voltage components, and to release the lock of a housing for the high-voltage components if at least one of the electric parameters of the discharge circuit or of the high-voltage components falls below a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Rodrigo Biurrun Sotelo, Juergen Binder, Ulrich Gottwick, Hans-Georg Horst
  • Patent number: 9565024
    Abstract: A controller provides amplitude modulated power line coding of an output voltage waveform. A transformer has a first winding connected in series with the output. An input mains voltage supply and/or the output voltage are monitored, and the second winding of the transformer is configured in dependence on the monitored mains voltage supply, the monitored output voltage and a target output voltage. This target comprises a voltage which encodes a binary bit of digital information. This provides a feedback approach which enables the transformer to be used to provide an accurate modulation of the binary bit to be encoded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventor: Willem Peter Van Der Brug
  • Patent number: 9553448
    Abstract: A system is described that turns off a high power, power supply when a device no longer needs high power. A low power, power supply or a rechargeable battery provides power to determine when the device again needs high power. The low power supply consumes a minimum possible power when the device does not need high power and the power rechargeable battery is not charged. That is, the high power and low power, power supplies are turned on or off based on the real time power consumption need of the device and the charged state of the battery. The power need of the device is monitored by a current shunt monitoring circuit and a control signal monitoring circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: CHEMTRON RESEARCH LLC
    Inventors: Harry Leonard Perper, James Randall Beckers
  • Patent number: 9543821
    Abstract: A Safe Operating Area (SOA) adaptive gate driver for a switch mode power converter is disclosed. In response to a detection of a fault condition, the SOA adaptive gate driver may limit the peak current in a power transistor (e.g., power MOSFET) of the power converter by limiting the voltage applied to the gate of the power MOSFET or by limiting the current injected into the gate of the power MOSFET. The limited gate voltage or current may increase the margin between an SOA border and the turn-off locus of the drain voltage and current (VD and ID) to ensure safe operation of the switch mode power converter during the fault condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur B. Odell, Leif Lund, Sujit Banerjee
  • Patent number: 9521730
    Abstract: A circuit (200, 300, 400, 600, 700, 800) interfacing a device (20, 30, 40, 60, 80) with a line-pair includes: a diode bridge (210) having polarity-independent input terminals coupled to the line-pair; a galvanic isolation device (230, 330) receiving a transmit signal and coupling the transmit signal to its output; a variable edge delay circuit (270, 370, 572, 574, 576) that delays rising/falling edges of the transmit signal more than falling/rising edges of the transmit signal; a voltage-controlled variable resistance element (260, 360, 460) connected across output terminals of the diode bridge; and a filter connected to a control terminal of the voltage-controlled variable resistance element. The filter includes decoupled charge and discharge paths to decouple the rise time of the transmit signal from the fall time of the transmit signal. The voltage-controlled variable resistance element couples the transmit signal to the line-pair via the diode bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Stefan-Cristian Rezeanu
  • Patent number: 9520712
    Abstract: A method and a system for controlling the switching time of a device that includes a magnetic circuit and a conductive winding. The method includes acquiring a measurement of the magnetic field generated by the residual flux, by a sensor placed near the magnetic circuit; processing the acquired measurements to infer the residual flux in the magnetic circuit; determining, on the basis of the residual flux, the optimal time for switching on the device. The method also includes switching on a three-phase transformer. The transformer includes a primary conductive winding and a secondary conductive winding surrounded by an enclosure. A magnetic field sensor is on the magnetic circuit and/or on one outer surface of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignees: ELECTRICITE DE FRANCE, INSTITUT POLYTECHNIQUE DE GRENOBLE, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE (CNRS)
    Inventors: Didier Cavallera, Jean-Louis Coulomb, Olivier Chadebec, Bruno Caillault, Francois-Xavier Zgainski
  • Patent number: 9477299
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus to facilitate wireless device monitoring and control are provided. A first device controller may be adapted to be disposed within a power connector, in series with conductors of the power connector. The power connector may be adapted to provide power from a power source to a device. The first device controller may include two terminals to electrically couple the first device controller with the conductors of the power connector. The first device controller may further include a power component to power the first device controller. The first device controller may be configured to monitor one or more conditions of the device, control one or more functions of the device, and wirelessly communicate with a system controller that is remote from the power connector and the device. The power connector may correspond to a power plug and/or a terminal block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: EchoStar UK Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Geoffrey Thompson
  • Patent number: 9468026
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to control devices configured for use with computing devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods and devices for shortening wireless reconnection time by determining the presence of an object or body near a device. When the control device detects an object or body in proximity to the device, the control device may automatically establish a wireless connection with a host devices, such that when the control device receives any user interactions, the wireless connection has already been established, preventing loss of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Hemes, Francesco Spina, Olivier Gay, Gilles de Preux, Olivier Bodenmann, Paolo Cremonino, Laurent Mealares
  • Patent number: 9461560
    Abstract: A power conversion device is provided which includes a plurality of series circuits each formed of a voltage source and a controlled current source. At least two of said series circuits formed of the voltage source and the controlled current source are connected in parallel. Further, parallel connection points of the series circuits connected in parallel form output terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Shigenori Inoue, Shuji Katoh, Jun Narushima, Tetsuya Kato
  • Patent number: 9461561
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for power conversion. In one embodiment, the method comprises operating an inverter in bursts by (i) enabling power production by the inverter during a first plurality of periods, and (ii) disabling power production by the inverter during a second plurality of periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Enphase Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Fornage
  • Patent number: 9459596
    Abstract: A method for controllably disconnecting a utility power service from a load includes a step of receiving a disconnect command at a control circuit within a utility meter housing. Then, responsive to receiving the disconnect command, using the control circuit to provide a first signal to a first switch operably connecting a charging circuit to an energy storage device. The method also includes charging, at least in part, the energy storage device via the charging circuit. After charging the energy storage device at least in part, a second signal is provided to a second switch that operably connects the energy storage device to the electrically powered source of motive force such that the electrically-powered source of motive force causes a service switch to controllably interrupt the connection between a utility power service and a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Landis+Gyr Inc.
    Inventor: John T. Voisine
  • Patent number: 9401250
    Abstract: An electronic power apparatus includes a housing, a pair of input power pins and a pair of output power pins mounted on a power circuit board, and power components mounted on the power circuit board and electrically connected to the input power pins and the output power pins to modulate a supply of power from the input power pins to the output power pins. A control unit of the electronic power apparatus is arranged on a control circuit board disposed at a distance from the power circuit board inside the housing. The output power pins project through corresponding through-holes through the control circuit board to an outside part of the housing, the output pins having at least one side protrusion arranged to spatially support the control circuit board with respect to the power circuit board inside the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Black & Decker, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Velderman, Michael K. Forster
  • Patent number: 9395736
    Abstract: A system and a method for collecting appliance standby electricity-saving information use a plurality of device-standby power-saving controllers to respectively transmit power-saving messages from a plurality of remote user ends through a data transmission network to a server side for recording and statistics. The system includes a data transmission network, a power-saving information collection server, a server side network connection port, at least a user side network connection device, and at least a device-standby power-saving controller. Each device-standby power-saving controller is electrically connected between an electrical appliance and a power source. Eclectic power energy that is saved is clearly counted and recorded to serve as an integrated power saving encouragement mechanism, which effectively encourages people to use power economizers to put into action of energy saving and carbon reduction thereby indeed achieving the purposes of saving energy and reducing power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: SGET Corp.
    Inventors: Tsin Lee Ronnie Lai, Chih-Hong Chen, Li-Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 9363627
    Abstract: A rack server system and a wireless communication method are disclosed. The rack server system includes a rack management control unit and a server node. The rack management control unit includes a rack management control module and a first ZigBee communication module. The server node includes a first baseboard management control module and a second ZigBee communication module. The rack management control module generates a first serial communication signal. The first ZigBee communication module is electrically coupled with the rack management control module and transforms the first serial communication signal into a first wireless signal. The first baseboard management control module generates a second serial communication signal. The second ZigBee communication module is electrically coupled with the first baseboard management control module and transforms the second serial communication signal into a second wireless signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignees: Inventec (Pudong) Technology Corporation, INVENTEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Xu-Xiang Wu
  • Patent number: 9335357
    Abstract: Various aspects of a detecting method and a detecting device to detect a state change of power lines are disclosed herein. The detecting device includes a plurality of storage elements, a communication unit and a detection unit. The plurality of storage elements are disposed on power lines and generates a driving power by load-modulating an alternating-current signal communicated through the power lines. The plurality of storage elements further outputs stored first identification information of a plurality of outlets through the power lines. The communication unit receives the first identification information of the plurality of outlets output by the plurality of storage element through the power lines. The detection unit detects change in states of the power lines on the basis of the first identification information of the plurality of outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takanori Washiro
  • Patent number: 9326352
    Abstract: A portable electric lamp including a lighting module, a compact housing enclosing an electric power storage unit configured to provide a power supply current to the lighting module, means for measuring a current consumed by the lighting module, determination means configured to generate a lighting current set point, calculation means for calculating a maximum authorized current from a difference between the consumed current and a reference current and for calculating a maximum authorized current threshold from the minimum value between the lighting current set point and the maximum authorized current, and limiting means configured to limit the power supply current to a value lower than or equal to the maximum authorized current threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: ZEDEL
    Inventors: Christophe Marie, Stéphanie Chancelade, Nicolas Flores
  • Patent number: 9318289
    Abstract: A switching electrical power contactor having a bi-blade type switch, has ferrous plates attached to the blades to increase the current carrying capacity and reduce the resistance of the switch. The contactor is incorporated on the outside of a mains meter enclosure or in a wall box for a mains meter, within the space defined by the sprung jaws of the meter socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: JOHNSON ELECTRIC INTERNATIONAL (UK) LIMITED
    Inventor: Richard Anthony Connell
  • Patent number: 9310407
    Abstract: A power strip includes: jack portions; current meters each configured to measure a current being supplied from the corresponding jack portion to one of external electrical devices, and to output a measurement signal corresponding to a magnitude of the current; and a computing unit configured to obtain instantaneous values of the current at a plurality of time points on the basis of the measurement signal, and to calculate a power value using the instantaneous values. The computing unit configured to obtain the instantaneous values-of the current by using any one of a first zero point and a second zero point as a reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignees: FUJITSU LIMITED, FUJITSU COMPONENT LIMITED
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Soneda, Osamu Tsuboi, Fumihiko Nakazawa, Naoyuki Nagao
  • Patent number: 9312693
    Abstract: A power supply system for supplying power to a chipset of an electronic device is provided. The power supply system includes a voltage converter, converting a supply voltage of a power supply into a predetermined voltage and supplying the predetermined voltage to the chipset, and a power control circuit connected between the voltage converter and the power supply. The power control circuit further includes a switch and a switch controller. The switch has a first terminal connected to the power supply, a second terminal connected to the voltage converter and a control terminal The switch controller, connected to the control terminal of the switch and the chipset, controls the switch to couple the power supply to the voltage converter according to the turning-on of the power supply system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: VIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Wei-Te Huang
  • Patent number: 9308820
    Abstract: An electric power is surely supplied to a load even if an abnormality is generated in a switching control circuit, which controls a switching part that switches electric connection between a power supply and the load of a vehicle. The switching control circuit controls a state of a contact of a keep relay that switches the electric connection between the power supply and the load. A monitor circuit monitors existence or non-existence of the abnormality of the switching control circuit. When detecting the abnormality of the switching control circuit, the monitor circuit transmits a reset signal in order to reset a state of the switching control circuit. When receiving the reset signal from the monitor circuit, an abnormal-time connection circuit transmits a connection signal to a coil of the keep relay to bring a movable contact into contact with a contact. For example, the present invention can be applied to a power-supply control device for the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Omron Automotive Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Aragai, Yusuke Ukai, Hirohito Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 9307622
    Abstract: A three-way load control device may be coupled to a circuit including an AC power source, an electrical load, and an external single-pole double-throw (SPDT) three-way switch. The load control device may include a three-way switching circuit comprising an internal SPDT switch, a relay coupled to the internal SPDT switch, a turn-on delay circuit responsive to a voltage at a movable contact of the internal SPDT switch, and a turn-off delay circuit responsive to voltages at fixed contacts of the internal SPDT switch. The turn-on delay circuit renders the relay conductive after a turn-on delay from when either the internal SPDT switch or the external three-way switch is actuated to turn the electrical load on. The turn-off delay circuit renders the relay non-conductive after a turn-off delay from when either the internal SPDT switch or the external three-way switch is actuated to turn off the electrical load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventor: Robert William Lenig
  • Patent number: 9220155
    Abstract: A lamp includes a lamp body, an LED light source, a storage unit, a switch apparatus, and a microprocessor. The storage unit stores a function table recording a relationship between a plurality of types of touches and a plurality of control functions. The switch apparatus includes a touch panel, a touch controller, and an indicator located under the first touch region. The touch panel generates signals in response to touches applied on thereon. The touch panel includes a first touch region and a second touch region. The touch controller receives the signals and determines the type of the touch intended. The microprocessor refers to the function table, and controls the LED light source to execute the control function and to give visual feedback when the touch panel is touched. A switch apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignees: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ling Chang, Quan-Quan Liu, Li-Zhang Huang, Han-Che Wang, Kuan-Hong Hsieh, Xiao-Guang Li
  • Patent number: 9178359
    Abstract: A power converter and method of operating the same for use in a power conversion system capable of receiving power from various sources, including renewable sources, for application to a load. Power type detection circuitry is provided for identifying the type of power source at the input of each power detector, based on attributes of the time-varying power received. The power converter is constructed of a boost stage followed by a galvanically isolated DC-DC converter stage. If a renewable input power source is detected, the boost stage is controlled to operate at a maximum power point, and the DC-DC converter stage is operated in an open loop manner. If the AC grid is detected as the input power source, the boost stage is controlled to attain maximum power factor, and the DC-DC converter stage is placed under feedback control of the output voltage. Operating modes are also switched in response to low load demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Palanivel Subramaniam, Raghothama Reddy, Darwin Smith
  • Patent number: 9148055
    Abstract: Power systems, electronic impedance controlled switches and controls, and methods of supplying power to a load include features to maximize safe operating area (SOA) of an electronic impedance switch without exceeding its SOA. The power system may be a vehicle electrical power system including a DC power supply battery and a boost converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: COOPER TECHNOLOGIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Daniel Sama Rubio, Marlowe J. Buchanan
  • Patent number: 9099914
    Abstract: An enclosure for a power supply is disclosed. The enclosure may include a control compartment configured to receive one or more control components, a transformer compartment positioned adjacent to the control compartment and configured to receive a transformer, and a power cell compartment positioned adjacent to the control compartment and the transformer compartment. The power cell compartment may be configured to receive a plurality of power cells arranged into a plurality of pods. The power cells may be received in the power cell compartment such that each power cell in a first pod is adjacent to at least two other power cells in the first pod. A voltage difference between adjacent power cells in a pod may be less than an acceptable voltage tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Kevin D. Wissner, Edward A. Novack
  • Patent number: 9087656
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficiently converting power from an AC line is disclosed. The power converter supplies power to the load, performing power factor correction at nominal and high loads, i.e. above a predetermined output power threshold, and operating in an on-demand burst mode synchronized to the AC line at low loads, i.e. below a predetermined output power threshold. The duration of an operating interval during which power conversion takes place may be reduced and varied at low loads as a function of the output power demands to increase overall conversion efficiency. The operating interval may be centered about a peak in the input voltage waveshape for operating intervals that are less than a full rectification period. For operating intervals that are less than a full rectification period a modified power factor correction may be used, in which the input current waveshape approximates the input voltage waveshape during the operating interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: VI Chip, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrizio Vinciarelli
  • Patent number: 9083185
    Abstract: A power source device includes: a first voltage generating unit that includes a power storage unit storing power based on power supplied from a power source and generates a voltage to be supplied to a first load based on the power supplied from the power source; and a second voltage generating unit that generates a voltage to be supplied to a second load based on the power stored in the power storage unit when the first voltage generating unit is controlled to stop generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventor: Norikazu Okada