Selectively Connected Loads And/or Sources Patents (Class 307/29)
  • Publication number: 20140232325
    Abstract: A display device includes a display panel including at least one electrode, and a panel driving unit configured to drive the display panel. The display device further includes a power storage unit configured to store received power, and a switching unit configured to electrically connect the at least one electrode to one of the panel driving unit and the power storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Myoung-hoon JUNG, Jung-woo KIM, Young-jun YUN
  • Patent number: 8803358
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an HVDC switchyard arranged to interconnect a first part of a DC grid with a second part of the DC grid. By means of the invention, a first part of the DC grid is connected to the busbars of the HVDC switchyard via a fast DC breaker, while further part(s) of the DC grid are connected to the busbars of the HVDC switchyard by means of switchyard DC breakers of lower breaking speed. By use of the inventive HVDC switchyard arrangement, the cost for the HVDC switchyard can be considerably reduced, while adequate protection can be provided. In one embodiment, the fast DC breaker is an HVDC station DC breaker forming part of an HVDC station. In another embodiment, the fast DC breaker is a switchyard DC breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Jürgen Häfner, Björn Jacobson, Tomas Jonsson, Kerstin Lindén, Bertil Berggren
  • Publication number: 20140217821
    Abstract: A power management and distribution (PMAD) system includes first and second power supplies, first and second loads and a matrix of solid state power controllers (SSPCs) connected between the first and second power supplies and the first and second loads. The matrix is configured to selectively supply each of the first and second loads with a plurality of different power levels based on on/off states of the SSPCs of the matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gregory I. Rozman, Steven J. Moss
  • Patent number: 8791592
    Abstract: An air conditioner which may controlled to adapt to changes in power rates, and an associated method, are provided. The method may include receiving electric power information, determining whether a current power rate included in the received information is higher than a preset reference value, and supplying electric power from a supplementary electric power source to at least one appliance in a network to which the air conditioner is connected if the current power rate is higher than the preset reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Younggeul Kim, Namwoo Kwon, Jeonghyun Lim, Suyoung Kang, Juyoung Min
  • Publication number: 20140197686
    Abstract: A battery system includes a power supply device which supplies power, a battery device in which a plurality of substantially identical battery units are connected in parallel, and a control device including a storage unit which stores information about a reference power value corresponding to predetermined conversion efficiency of the power conversion unit, an acquisition unit which acquires information about a supply power amount of the power supplied by the power supply device, and a selection unit which determines the number of battery units capable of distributing the supply power amount at a power amount greater than or equal to the reference power value and selects the battery units to which the power is supplied from the power supply device among the plurality of battery units, wherein the selected battery units are equal in number to the determined number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuaki Hiramura, Naoki Sonoda
  • Patent number: 8773087
    Abstract: The invention relates to a power supply circuit (10) and methods for supplying electrical power to at least one load output. The circuit comprises a main power supply unit (12) with a voltage input (14), a main switching element (26) and a reactive element (28). The switching element (26) is controllable to deliver an output voltage or current (I out). Output units (20a, 20b, 20c) with load outputs are connected to a main power supply unit (12). In order to drive loads connected to the load outputs, e.g. LEDs, OLEDs or laser diodes, with exact pulses, each output unit (20a, 20b, 20c) has a load switching element (38) to connect or disconnect the main power supply unit (12) to or from the load output. There are further provided switched capacitor units (34), each with a capacitor (C) and a capacitor switching element (40). The capacitor units may be operated such that the capacitors remain essentially charged at different voltage levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Rob Otte, Henricus Marie Peeters, Vincent Gerardus Petrus Cornelis Van Den Broek, Carsten Deppe
  • Patent number: 8766479
    Abstract: A plurality of generators can be connected in parallel to a common electrical bus. Each generator has a controller that regulates the voltage and frequency of the electricity being produced. Before a given generator connects to the electrical bus, its controller senses whether electricity is present on the bus and if not, the connection is made. Otherwise, the controller synchronizes the electricity being produced to the electricity is present on the bus before the connection occurs. The controller in each generator may also implement a load sharing function which ensures that the plurality of generators equitably share in providing the total amount of power demanded by the loads. The load sharing can be accomplished by controlling the generators to operate a substantially identical percentages of their individual maximum power generation capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Douglas W. Dorn, Isaac S. Frampton
  • Publication number: 20140175879
    Abstract: A circuit device for power compensation in an integrated controller configured by integrating two or more different electronic control modules, which enable any one of the electronic control modules to receive power supplied from another electronic control module even though an abnormal operation occurs in the electronic control module. That is, the circuit device provides for power compensation in an integrated controller configured by integrating two or more different electronic control modules respectively having independent power circuits, which enable any one of the electronic control modules to immediately receive power supplied from another electronic control module even though an abnormal operation occurs in the electronic control module, thereby easily preventing the abnormal operation of the integrated controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventors: Sung Kwan Choo, Joon Ho Lee, Jung Nan Ryu, Heon Ho Lim, Sung Il Lee
  • Publication number: 20140175880
    Abstract: An energy harvesting apparatus includes: a capacitor configured to store energy generated by an energy harvesting element; and a switch connected to the capacitor and configured to switch energy supply from the capacitor to a load based on a capacitor voltage with which the capacitor is charged. An energy harvesting system includes: energy harvesting elements; energy harvesting apparatuses which are provided to respectively correspond to the energy harvesting elements; and a load as an energy supply destination connected to the energy harvesting apparatuses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koichi MIYANAGA, Jun MAEDE
  • Publication number: 20140175881
    Abstract: Methods and control apparatus are presented for controlling supply of electrical power to a micro-grid power system, in which a master controller automatically rebalances the micro-grid by activating and deactivating individual power supplies to preferentially activate non-fuel consuming power supplies and deactivate fuel consuming power supplies so as to minimize fuel consumption for the micro-grid power system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: HUNTER DEFENSE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: John L. Creed
  • Patent number: 8754546
    Abstract: A bulk power assembly includes a bulk power distribution (BPD) subassembly and a bulk power controller and hub (BPCH) subassembly coupled to the BPD subassembly. The BPD assembly is configured to provide bulk DC power from both AC input power and DC input power. The BPD subassembly is configured to distribute the DC bulk power. The BPCH subassembly is configured to monitor and control the BPD assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ravi Kumar Arimilli, Edward Joseph Seminaro, Kevin Robert Covi, Steven John Ahladas
  • Patent number: 8748813
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a mass spectrometer includes an RF drive circuit for generating RF signals, a quadrupole mass filter, and a fixed connection assembly for delivering RF signals from the RF drive circuit to the quadrupole mass filter, the fixed connection assembly representing the entire delivery path of RF signals from the RF drive circuit to the quadrupole mass filter. By avoiding flexible components such as a freestanding wires or flexible circuit boards, the need for retuning when parts are removed or disturbed for testing or servicing is reduced, and a modular instrument in which components and connections are standardized and therefore interchangeable is realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Bruker Daltonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Urs Steiner, Lawrence B. Jones
  • Patent number: 8742617
    Abstract: A battery apparatus includes a row battery group including a plurality of series-connected row batteries including one or more battery cells; a plurality of battery management sections, corresponding to the individual row batteries, for managing the battery statuses of the corresponding row batteries; a central management section for granting unique identification information to the individual battery management sections and acquiring information about the battery statuses of the row batteries from the respective battery management sections for management; second communication lines with which the plurality of battery management sections are daisy-chained; a first communication line with which, of the plurality of battery management sections, the battery management section located at one end is connected to the central management section; and a plurality of connection switching sections, provided in the individual second communication lines between the battery management sections, for switching the connection
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Takehiko Nishida, Katsuo Hashizaki, Kazuyuki Adachi, Shinji Murakami, Kouji Kurayama, Hirofumi Fujita
  • Patent number: 8736104
    Abstract: A power supply includes an alternating current (AC)/direct current (DC) converter, a control unit, and a selection switch. The AC/DC converter is connected to an AC power source to convert an AC voltage into a DC voltage. The control unit includes a controller and a switch. The selection switch is connected to the controller, and connected between the AC converter and the power module of a motherboard to connect the AC converter to either the power module or the controller. When the AC/DC converter is connected to the controller, the controller receives the DC voltage to be started, the controller turns on the switch for a predetermined connection time to make the DC voltage be input to the power module, and then turns off the switch for a predetermined disconnection time to make the DC voltage fail to be input to the power module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Guan Wang
  • Patent number: 8736238
    Abstract: The configurations of a buck type and a buck/boost type converter systems and a controlling method thereof are provided in the present invention. The proposed buck/boost type converter system includes a rectifier bridge, a first auxiliary circuit including a first unidirectional switch coupled to the rectifier bridge and a second unidirectional switch coupled to the first unidirectional switch, a first capacitor coupled to the first unidirectional switch and the rectifier bridge, a buck/boost converter having a first input terminal coupled to the first unidirectional switch, a second input terminal coupled to the first capacitor, a first output terminal coupled to the second unidirectional switch and a second output terminal, a second capacitor electrically connected to the first and the second output terminals in parallel, and a DC source coupled to the second unidirectional switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Fei Li, Hongjian Gan, Fei Ji, Xin Li
  • Publication number: 20140132070
    Abstract: A power control method for a rack having a plurality of nodes is used for turning on a plurality of main power supplies and standby power supplies in pairs according to an actual number of power supply needed to be turned on. A total power consumption value for the nodes is calculated according to power information of the nodes. A number of power supply needed to be turned on is calculated according to the total power consumption value and a maximum power value for one power supply to obtain the actual number and is smaller than the actual number. When the main power supplies supply operating voltages to the nodes, the standby power supplies do not supply the operating voltages to the nodes. An input source received by the main power supplies is different from that received by the standby power supplies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicants: INVENTEC CORPORATION, INVENTEC (PUDONG) TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hao-Yen Kuan, Shu-Yen Wang
  • Patent number: 8716885
    Abstract: A switching assembly includes a first terminal and a second terminal, a first switch connected to the first terminal, and a second switch connected to the second terminal. The switching assembly further includes a rectifier bridge connected between the first switch and the second switch, and a third switch connected between the first terminal and the second terminal. The switching assembly also includes a control unit that selectively opens and closes the first switch, the second switch and the third switch, and selectively turns on and off the rectifier bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans-Erik Pfitzer, Adil Oudrhiri
  • Publication number: 20140117758
    Abstract: A control unit with data analyzer is connected to database and configured to receive user inputs such as time driven mode, supply driven mode and automatic mode and operate the system with respect to the selected mode, tariff opted and user input commands, and signals the storage unit to get charged from the input source or to supply power to all the lines or to the selected lines from storage unit. The control unit during the time when energy prices are less, signals to charge the storage unit and supplies power to all appliances through the input source and during the time when energy prices are more, signals to shut off the non critical loads and utilize the charged power from storage unit to selected lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES SAS
    Inventor: Rohit Pai
  • Patent number: 8710697
    Abstract: An electrical power pack may include a first power switch and a cycle control to cycle between the first power switch and a second power switch. An electrical power pack may include a first power switch and a delay element to delay an operation of the first power switch. A power pack system may include a first power switch to operate in response to a constant-on control and a second power switch to operate in response to an automatic control. A power pack system may include a first power switch to operate in response to a manual-on control, and a second power switch to operate in response to an automatic-on control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Leonard, Robert Hick
  • Publication number: 20140111009
    Abstract: An energy-saving circuit for a network-powered device (PD) having a converter circuit that produces an operating voltage (VOUT) for the device (PD) from a supply voltage (VPSE) which can be provided via a includes at least one switching element that breaks at least one electrical connection between the network and the converter circuit, at least one control circuit that actuates the at least one switching element on the basis of control signals that switch on and/or off and are received from the device, and at least one energy buffer that stores energy from voltage pulses, provided via the network, to supply the control circuit with operating power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: FUJITSU TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GMBH
    Inventor: Robert Ruef
  • Publication number: 20140103716
    Abstract: The apparatus according to the invention is composed of one or plural generator devices connected to an energy source and of one or plural loads (which may be mobile). Each load is powered by the intermediary of a limited spatial zone where an electric field that is intense and rapidly varying is present, and this is achieved without wires or electrical contact or use of an earth connection. The intense field is created locally between certain sub-electrodes located on the surface of the generator and an electrode or several sub-electrodes on the load side and located opposite. The active sub-electrodes on the generator side are selected by switches, for example magnetic switches activated by a permanent magnet located at the load. On the load side, a passive electrode is used which can be considered as mainly coupled to the surrounding dielectric medium. The invention targets, in particular, the tele-supply of energy to low and medium power fixed or mobile electric devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Patrick Camurati, Henri Bondar
  • Publication number: 20140097684
    Abstract: Multimode distribution systems and methods are described. A multimode distribution system includes a first source interface for coupling to a first power source, a second source interface for coupling to a second power source, and a first selection device to be coupled via a first connection matrix and the first source interface with the first power source to provide main power to one or more power consumption devices. The multimode distribution system includes a second selection device to be coupled via a second connection matrix and the first source interface with the first power source to provide main power to one or more additional power consumption devices. The second selection device is to be coupled via the second connection matrix and the second source interface with the second power source to provide alternative power to the additional power consumption devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventors: Mozan Totani, Jesus Lalo Suarez, Barry C. Bianculli, Thomas Trevino, Bob Lytle, Norman Holt
  • Publication number: 20140084687
    Abstract: An improved solar energy utilization system is described based on the use of a smart load center which can automatically select the use of utility power or solar-derived power independently for each of a number of load circuits based on availability of utility and solar power, preset user priorities, battery charge status, time of day, instantaneous consumption, historical consumption patterns and weather forecasts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventor: Paul Wilkinson Dent
  • Publication number: 20140077592
    Abstract: Method for operating a fail operational power system for a vehicle includes monitoring voltages on first and second power distribution paths arranged in parallel. Each path includes a respective first or second isolator switch effective when operative in a closed state to power the respective path by a respective energy storage device for supplying electrical power to one or more loads partitioned on each of the paths. A third isolator switch controllably operative between open and closed states is monitored. The closed state of the third isolator switch connects the paths and the open state opens the connection between the paths. When a predetermined operating mode requiring fail operational power is enabled, the third isolator switch is controlled to the open state when at least one of the monitored voltages violates a reference voltage and is controlled to the closed state when neither one of the monitored voltages violate the reference voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: DAVID P. KOCH, CHANDRA S. NAMUDURI, JEFFREY JAMES HOORN, NIKHIL L. HOSKERI, MARK C. HOINKA
  • Publication number: 20140077596
    Abstract: There is provided a power electronics device including: a first connection unit, a second connection unit, a power conversion unit and a control unit. The first connection unit and the second connection unit are connected to a first power line and a second power line of plural power lines. The power conversion unit converts power from one of the first and second connection units outputs converted power from the other of the first and second connection units. The control unit selects a master device from power electronics devices connected to a third power line that is one of the power lines including the first power line and the second power line, based on power conversion characteristic information of the power electronics devices. The master device controls other power electronics devices except the master device out of the power electronics devices, regarding output of power to the third power line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Yasuyuki NISHIBAYASHI, Kotaro ISE, Keiichi TERAMOTO
  • Patent number: 8648492
    Abstract: The operation and/or power of a plurality of energy loads and/or energy supplies configured to supply power to the energy loads are managed in a coordinated manner. The coordinated control over the energy loads and/or energy supplies may enable the execution of missions including a one or more objectives by energy loads with an enhanced efficiency, autonomy, and/or effectiveness. Aspects of the planning and/or management of execution of the missions may be automated according to predetermined rules and/or criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: InScope Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Craig, Kevin Cassidy, Richard Daniel Albarran
  • Publication number: 20140035367
    Abstract: A system including: first and second apparatuses that supply electric power to each other; the first and second apparatuses including first and second converters configured to convert externally supplied power to first and second direct current powers; a predicted value calculator configured to calculate first, second, and third predicted values of needed electric power in first, second, and third power source conditions based on a first conversion efficiency of the first converter and a second conversion efficiency of the second converter; and a controller configured to switch an electric power condition corresponding to a smallest predicted value of the first, second, and third predicted values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventor: Yuusuke KOHRI
  • Patent number: 8645726
    Abstract: Method and system for load sharing in a multiple power supply system. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are power supply units including a switching circuit, a coarse adjustment circuit coupled to the switching circuit (the coarse adjustment circuit configured to send an internal command to the switching circuit to modify a pulse width modulated signal that controls output current of the power supply unit), and a communication port coupled to the switching circuit. The power supply unit configured to receive from an external device over the communication port an external command to modify the pulse width modulated signal of the switching circuit. The power supply unit is also configured to modify the output current, the amount of modification based on the external command, and the internal command from the coarse adjustment circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Hsin-Chih Lee, David P. Mohr, Zachary J. Gerbozy
  • Publication number: 20140008980
    Abstract: A sodium-sulfur battery belongs to each of a plurality of operation units. A first power consuming body and a second power consuming body are electrically connected to the grid. The first power consuming body belongs to each of the plurality of operation units, and the second power consuming body does not belong to the operation unit. One of the first power consuming body and the second power consuming body may be omitted. Rank is given to each of the plurality of operation units. The ranks become higher as the remaining capacity of the sodium-sulfur batteries belonging to the operation unit becomes greater. When the stand-alone operation is started, one operation unit of the highest rank is selected, and the sodium-sulfur battery belonging to the operated operation unit is paralleled in to the grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki ITO
  • Publication number: 20140008979
    Abstract: A number of load units are connected to receive power from a number of power supply units. A potential load bus is connected to have a voltage level representative of both a total potential power requirement of the number of load units and a total potential power supply capability of the number of power supply units. A first control circuit enables operation of the number of load units when the voltage level on the potential load bus indicates that a sufficient supply of power is available. An actual load bus is connected to have a voltage level representative of both an actual total power consumption of the number of load units and an actual total power supply available from of the number of power supply units. A second control circuit signals an impending loss of sufficient power supply based on the monitored voltage level on the actual load bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: J. Rothe Kinnard, Robert Cyphers, Brian Benstead
  • Publication number: 20130342013
    Abstract: A motor control device has a current value sampling unit configured to sample a current value of a motor, a PWM signal generation unit configured to generate a PWM signal to drive the motor, based on the sampled current value of the motor, and a power supply stop unit configured to stop supply of power from a control power supply to a peripheral depending on power stored in a DC link part and power to which the control power source can supply when an alternating-current power source fails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Naoki MASUDA, Kiichi INABA
  • Publication number: 20130334883
    Abstract: A method comprises providing power from a battery to an external device using a first circuit; and receiving power from a first power source to provide power to the battery using a second circuit while providing power to the external device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Hee-Tae KIM, Ku-Chul JUNG, Kwang-Sub LEE, Se-Young JANG
  • Publication number: 20130328399
    Abstract: A method for reducing the number of connectors for connecting a tablet unit and a base unit is disclosed. The tablet unit includes a system device and a first connector connected to a power line for supplying power from the base unit. The base unit includes a second connector configured to be connected to the first connector when the base unit is combined with the tablet unit. The tablet unit also includes a battery unit capable of supplying power to the system device through the power line. An external power-supply circuit is also capable of supplying power to the system device from an AC/DC adapter through the power line. Since power can be supplied from the battery unit or the AC/DC adapter to the tablet unit through the power line alone, the number of connector terminals can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: KEIJI SUZUKI, HIDEKAZU CHUJO
  • Patent number: 8598737
    Abstract: A method for powering one or more loads from a varying input voltage comprises controlling a primary switch to selectively apply the input voltage to energize an inductor, controlling a load switch to selectively connect the inductor to the load, monitoring one or more load parameters to determine load conditions, and, when the load conditions meet a load requirement, disconnecting the load from the inductor and directing any remaining current in the inductor to a energy storage element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Light-Based Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas George Foxall, Gregory Bernard Sheehan
  • Publication number: 20130278057
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a POS terminal comprises a battery unit and a control unit. The battery unit configured to accommodate a plurality of batteries. The control unit configured to be accommodated in the battery unit, acquire the charge storage voltage of each battery and determine the battery to be charged according to the acquired charge storage voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventor: Toshinori Fukuta
  • Patent number: 8552584
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a UPS includes an input configured to be coupled to an AC power source, a DC power source, an output configured to receive power from at least one of the AC power source and the DC power source, a first switched receptacle outlet coupled to the output and configured to be coupled to a first electrical load and a second receptacle outlet coupled to the output and configured to be coupled to a second electrical load. According to some embodiments, the UPS also includes a control unit configurable to provide a first configuration associated with the first switched receptacle outlet, where the first configuration is employed by the control unit to control a connection of the first switched receptacle outlet to the output independent of the second receptacle outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Schneider Electric IT Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel C. Cohen, David A. Colucci, Mark R. Melanson, James S. Spitaels
  • Publication number: 20130257153
    Abstract: A power distribution system includes a plurality of power sources for generating power. Also included is at least one power routing element in operable communication with each of the plurality of power sources, the at least one power routing element being configured to selectively receive power from the plurality of power sources. Further included is at least one load in operable communication with the at least one power routing element, wherein the at least one power routing element controllably determines which of the plurality of power sources to selectively receive power from.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Krenz, Carl A. Wagner, Jeffrey T. Wavering, Michael William Foster, Norbert J. Simper, Josef Maier, Rainer J. Seidel
  • Patent number: 8546974
    Abstract: A method for powering one or more loads from a varying input voltage comprises controlling a primary switch to selectively apply the input voltage to energize an inductor, controlling a load switch to selectively connect the inductor to the load, monitoring one or more load parameters to determine load conditions, and, when the load conditions meet a load requirement, disconnecting the load from the inductor and directing any remaining current in the inductor to a energy storage element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Light-Based Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas George Foxall, Gregory Bernard Sheehan
  • Publication number: 20130221747
    Abstract: A system and a method for distributing power to telecommunication subscriber lines is disclosed. It is important that the power dissipation in the subscriber line interface circuits, SLICs is reduced. Power dissipation occurs when the subscriber lines are fed with a voltage level that is higher than necessary. It is also important that the implementation allows for flexibility when configuring the subscriber lines. These problem have been solved by using a power distribution system comprising at least three power supply units with different power supply voltages, a control unit and a switching unit connected between the SLICs and the power supply units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
    Inventor: Mauro Molinari
  • Patent number: 8508070
    Abstract: A system, method and product for modifying the volt-ampere reactive (VARs) in a power distribution system is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes determining the VARs at a location on the power distribution system and based on the determined VARs, determining whether to modify the VARs. If it is determined to modify the VARs the method includes identifying a plurality a capacitor banks connected to a power line and from the identified plurality of capacitor banks, generating a list of eligible capacitor banks that satisfy inclusion criteria. If the list of eligible capacitor banks includes at least one capacitor bank the method includes selecting a capacitor bank from the list of eligible capacitor banks and transmitting a switching command for the selected capacitor bank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventor: Brian J. Deaver, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20130193756
    Abstract: A power supply device includes a power supply unit that wirelessly supplies power, a communication unit that communicates with an electronic device, and a control unit that controls the communication unit to transmit a predetermined data to the electronic device based on whether or not the electronic device is connected to an external device supplying power to the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
  • Publication number: 20130196720
    Abstract: A device is configured to receive a request for two or more battery partitions; create the two or more battery partitions according to the received request, where each of the two or more battery partitions relate to a respective function of the device; calculate usage of the two or more battery partitions; present information regarding the usage of the two or more battery partitions; receive a request to change an allotment of at least one of the two or more battery partitions; and re-partition two or more battery partitions according to the received request to change of the allotment of the at least one of the two or more battery partitions. Additionally, the device can be configured to charge one or more battery partitions in an order of priority, re-assign one or more battery partitions to a different area, and provide notifications of usage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: VERIZON PATENT AND LICENSING INC.
    Inventors: Sundar X. SIVARAMAN, Maria M. Sagayaraj, Narayanadhoss X. Gopalakrishnan, Ganesh X. Ramasamy, Ramprasath X. Hariharan
  • Patent number: 8493029
    Abstract: A method of dynamic power management of a mobile device. The method includes monitoring at least one load to determine when at least one of the loads will become active or inactive, determining a minimum required output voltage level to be provided by a single voltage converter based on voltage level requirements of the at least one load that will become active or inactive, converting an input voltage level via the voltage converter to provide the minimum required output voltage level to the output power port in advance of the at least one load becoming active or after the at least one load becomes inactive, monitoring the input voltage level, determining whether the input voltage level is below a first threshold, and when the input voltage level is below the first threshold, reducing the output voltage level provided by the single voltage converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Lyall Kenneth Winger, Dusan Veselic, Martin George Albert Guthrie
  • Patent number: 8487473
    Abstract: Power is provided to one or more devices in a system that includes a hierarchical power smoothing environment having multiple tiers. In response to a peak in power usage by the one or more devices, power is provided from a first power smoothing component in a first tier of the multiple tiers. Additionally, power is provided to the one or more devices from power smoothing components in each of other tiers of the multiple tiers if the power smoothing component in a next lower tier of the multiple tiers is unable to provide sufficient power for the peak in power usage. If the power smoothing components in the multiple tiers are unable to provide sufficient power for the peak in power usage, then performance of at least one of the one or more devices is reduced in response to the peak in power usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Eric C. Peterson, Shaun L. Harris, Christian L. Belady, Frank J. Wirtz
  • Patent number: 8476870
    Abstract: The diagnostic method applies to a standalone system including a generator, a power regulator and a power storage element. The method includes comparison of the effective charging power or current of the power storage element respectively with a predefined power or current threshold. If the effective charging power or current is lower than said threshold, the power storage element is disconnected. An abnormal behavior is then detected either by comparing the effective charging power with the smaller of the values representative of the theoretical charging power of the power storage element and of the maximum power able to be delivered by the generator and comparing the effective and theoretical charging voltages, or by comparing the effective and theoretical charging currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Antoine Labrunie, Sylvie Genies
  • Publication number: 20130154351
    Abstract: An electrical architecture includes at least one generator. A fast switching device connects the generator to a bus. A plurality of loads draw electrical power from the bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Mark J. Seger, Massoud Vaziri
  • Publication number: 20130154370
    Abstract: A power management system may include a generator controller. The generator controller may (i) operate the generator; and (ii) prohibit a transfer switch from supplying first or second power to an output of the transfer switch. In some systems, the first power may be primary power (e.g., from a primary power source such as a utility) while the second power is secondary power (e.g., from a secondary power source such as a generator). In other systems, the second power may be primary power while the first power is secondary power, or both the first and second power may be secondary power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Kohler Co.
  • Publication number: 20130147272
    Abstract: Energy systems and energy supply methods are described. In one aspect, an energy system includes a bus system configured to conduct electrical energy, a plurality of input adapters electrically coupled with the bus system and configured to electrically couple with a plurality of respective source entities which are individually configured to provide electrical energy, a plurality of output adapters electrically coupled with the bus system and configured to electrically couple with a plurality of respective consuming entities which are individually configured to consume electrical energy, and control circuitry configured to control individual ones of the input adapters to provide electrical energy from respective ones of the source entities to the bus system and to control individual ones of the output adapters to provide electrical energy from the bus system to respective ones of the consuming entities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventors: Shane Johnson, Allan Coxon, Ian Walker
  • Publication number: 20130141052
    Abstract: A system for storing electrical energy having several storage cells, each storage cell having an operating voltage, an electrical load and a switching element connected in series with each storage cell. The switching element being closed when a threshold voltage of the storage cell is reached or exceeded. The system including at least one module having several storage cells and a control device. The control device being configured to assign a temperature to individual storage cells and a module voltage to the module. The control device being further configured to alter the threshold voltage of the individual storage cells dependant upon the assigned temperature whilst maintaining the module voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: VOITH PATENT GMBH
    Inventor: VOITH PATENT GMBH
  • Patent number: 8441146
    Abstract: A current supply arrangement for, e.g., producing polysilicon, with a first current supply device and a second power supply device, including two AC current regulators and a voltage sequence controller for controlling the AC current regulators, with a terminal group having two terminals for connecting a load. A terminals is connected directly, i.e., without an interconnected switch, with an output terminal of the second current supply device, and with a first switching group associated with the terminal group, with switches for connecting and disconnecting the terminals of the terminal group with or from output terminals of the first current supply device. The current supply arrangement also includes an additional current supply device having two AC current regulators and a voltage sequence controller for controlling the AC current regulators, additional terminal groups comprising two terminals for connecting one load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: AEG Power Solutions B.V.
    Inventors: Peter Wallmeier, Christian Ferber