Selectively Connected Loads And/or Sources Patents (Class 307/29)
  • Patent number: 8198751
    Abstract: A semiconductor device of the present invention includes a plurality of switch cells having a switch transistor that controls conducting states of a global power supply line and a local power supply line according to a control signal, and a delay circuit that delays the control signal and transmits the control signal to the switch transistor connected to a subsequent stage, a chain unit that receives the control signal from outside, transmits the control signal by the delay circuit connected in series, and sequentially conducts the switch transistor, and a tree unit that is provided with the control signal via the switch cells disposed in a last stage of the chain unit, distributes the control signal to a plurality of groups by the delay circuit connected in parallel, and conducts the switch transistor in parallel by the distributed control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuya Katou
  • Publication number: 20120140415
    Abstract: A data center inside a shipping container having a lower plenum and an upper plenum in its interior. Heated air in the upper plenum exits therefrom into a plurality of heat exchangers adjacent thereto. Air cooled by the heat exchangers travels toward and enters the lower plenum. The data center includes a plurality of carriages each having an equipment receiving portion located between an open bottom portion in open communication with the lower plenum, and an open top portion in open communication with the upper plenum. Fans inside each of the carriages draw cooled air up from the lower plenum into the open bottom portion of the carriage, blow the cooled air up through the equipment receiving portion thereby cooling any computing equipment received therein, and vent the cooled air through the open top portion into the upper plenum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventor: DAVID DRIGGERS
  • Publication number: 20120133205
    Abstract: A heat sink for a handheld device is formed as a one piece chassis for supporting heat-producing circuits inside the device while having heat radiating surfaces outside the device. In another embodiment a battery pack control circuit under microprocessor control allows battery packs having different battery chemistries and characteristics to be interchanged in the same device without switches or adapters. Control of operating modes of the device despite changes in the battery pack including battery chemistry, state of charge, available voltage, or desired operating mode are automatic. The microprocessor measures the battery pack characteristics, using look up tables in a suitable program to adjust the circuit operating modes. The microprocessor also responds to sequential switch contact closures in setting operating modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: Bayco Products, Ltd.
    Inventors: Paul Adams, Robert Ellis, James Newton
  • Patent number: 8179094
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a device and method for improved battery learn cycles for battery backup units within data storage devices. The backup unit includes a first battery pack, a corresponding charge capacity gauge, one or more second battery packs, a corresponding charge capacity gauge, and a controller switch configured to select only one battery pack for a learn cycle at any given time. The charge capacity gauges are such that, at the end of the learn cycle discharge phase, the depth of discharge of the learn cycle battery pack is such that the charge capacity of the learn cycle battery pack combined with the full charge capacity of the remaining battery packs is sufficient for the device cached data to be off-loaded to a physical data storage device, and the data storage device does not have to switch from a write-back cache mode to a write-through cache mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: Lakshmana Anupindi, Brian Skinner
  • Publication number: 20120112541
    Abstract: A structural module (11) for the high-concentration single-reflection photovoltaic generation, comprising a plurality of devices concentration of solar radiation (RS), which include relative parabolic reflectors (13) mounted on a base support (15), placed within the module (11), a transparent front surface (14), through which is the solar radiation (RS) is transmitted, and a plurality of photovoltaic receivers (16), mounted within the module (11) and series-connected each other, wherein the photovoltaic receivers (16) are fixed on elongated elements (10, 12), made of conductive material and suitable to dissipate heat, which accommodate a photovoltaic cell (CS) and are placed outside or inside the structural module (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: BEGHELLI S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gian Pietro Beghelli
  • Publication number: 20120104848
    Abstract: A power system includes a first power source, a second power source, an automatic transfer switch, and a number of loads powered by an output of the automatic transfer switch. The automatic transfer switch includes a first input structured to receive power from the first power source, a second input structured to receive power from the second power source, the output, a transfer mechanism structured to electrically connect only one of the first input and the second input to the output, and a receiver structured to receive a serial communication message and cause the transfer mechanism to electrically connect only the second input to the output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: TODD M. LATHROP, DHANANJAY LAL
  • Publication number: 20120098338
    Abstract: A system may include a switchover element configurable to source or sink power from or to an electronic device electrically coupled to the switchover element and a controller in communication with the switchover element. The controller may be configured to determine if the electronic device is healthy. When the electronic device is healthy, the controller may configure the switchover element to deliver power from the electronic device to the system and configure the switchover element to provide the power to any unhealthy electronic device electrically coupled to the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: JUNIPER NETWORKS, INC.
    Inventors: Hogan LEW, Ankur Singla, Harshad Nakil
  • Publication number: 20120091799
    Abstract: A core module for a portable computing device includes a wireless power receiver module, a battery power module, a power supply module, a processing module, and an RF link interface. The wireless power receiver module, when operable, receives a wireless power transmit signal and converts it into a supply voltage. The battery power module, when operable, outputs a battery voltage. The power supply module, when operable, converts the supply voltage or the battery voltage into one or more power supply voltages. The processing module is operable to select one of the battery voltage, the supply voltage, and one of the one or more power supply voltages to produce a selected voltage. The RF link interface outputs the selected voltage on to an RF link of the portable computing device for providing power to one or more multi mode RF units within the portable computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ahmadreza (Reza) Rofougaran, Maryam Rofougaran, Brima B. Ibrahim, Hooman Darabi
  • Publication number: 20120091802
    Abstract: Electrical power is dynamically managed among one or more power sources and one or more loads. A plurality of monitor nodes is connected to an input terminal connected to each source, and to an output terminal connected to each load. A plurality of electrical power storage cells is connected among the input and output terminals, each cell being capable of storing power from at least one of the sources and being capable of discharging stored power to at least one of the loads. A plurality of controllable switches is connected to the cells. A programmed controller dynamically monitors operating conditions at the monitor nodes during operation of each source and each load, and selectively dynamically controls the switches to interconnect the cells in different circuit topologies in response to the monitored operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: Nextek Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex M. ADELSON, Anthony MANGIARACINA
  • Patent number: 8148844
    Abstract: A power supply system for a residential or a commercial unit is disclosed. The system comprises an AC power source from a power grid, a DC power source from one or a plurality of remote alternative power sources and another DC power source from one or a plurality of local alternative power sources. The generated DC power from the remote sources is delivered to the unit using a dedicated DC power distribution unit. The alternative power sources either locally or remotely located to residential or the commercial unit may comprise one or a plurality of solar systems. The system may also comprise one or a plurality of wind turbines. There are two groups of electrical appliances from the unit connected to the system. The first group receives the AC power only and the second group receives the AC and/or the DC powers. A power management device for the unit selects the power supply sources to minimize the power consumption from the AC power grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: Yang Pan
  • Patent number: 8138625
    Abstract: A dual line active automatic transfer switch (ATS) is provided. A first switch structure is connected to a first PSU of the plurality of PSUs, and operable between a first position connecting a first input line of the dual line and a second position connecting a second input line of the dual line with the one PSU. A second switch structure is connected to at least one additional PSU of the plurality of PSUs, and operable between a third position connecting the first input line and a fourth position connecting the second input line with the at least one additional PSU. The first and second switch structures are operable between each of the first, second, third, and fourth positions to alternatively connect each of the plurality of PSUs to one of the first and second input lines and connect, when each of the dual lines is charged, both of the first and second input lines to at least one of the plurality of PSUs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jiwu Duan, Steven M. Groff, Trung Le, Juan A. Yanes
  • Patent number: 8110941
    Abstract: A power demand modification method and system. The method includes detecting and monitoring by a computing system, a frequency signal associated with an input voltage signal used for powering a plurality of power consumption devices at a specified location. The computing system compares the frequency signal to a predetermined frequency value. The computing system determines that the frequency signal comprises a first value that is not equal to the predetermined frequency value. The computing system calculates a difference value between the first value and the predetermined frequency value. The computing system compares the difference value to a second value. The computing system enables a connection to an uninterruptable power supply (UPS) and performs a power demand modification process associated with the UPS. The computing system generates and stores a report associated with the load adjustment modification process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Jensen Boss, Rick Allen Hamilton, II, Julianne Frances Haugh, Anne R. Sand
  • Patent number: 8108695
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for reducing power drain of a component when the component is in a powered down state. The system comprises a power input configured to receive power, a power output to the component, monitor logic configured to monitor a level of power moving between the input and output, and control logic configured to control power transfer between the input and output. The control logic may be in communication with the monitor logic and configured to selectively restrict power flow between the input and output when the monitor logic senses that power flow between the input and output falls below a threshold level. A method comprises checking a power level between the input and output, and if the power level exceeds a threshold, then permitting substantially unrestricted power flow. If the power level is less than the threshold, then restricting the power level between the input and output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventor: John Love
  • Publication number: 20120019059
    Abstract: An electric network architecture for confined environments, includes: a main network including a plurality of electric wires capable of supplying in parallel electric power along the confined medium to a same load, wherein each wire is protected and can be insulated at each end; a primary distribution assembly including at least one primary distribution subassembly including a selection element connected to at least one of the wires and to a dedicated electric power source; at least one secondary distribution assembly connected to at least a portion of the main network and for powering at least one dedicated load, wherein each secondary distribution assembly includes at least one selection element connected to an output terminal to which an electric load is to be connected, the selection element being capable of closing or opening the electric link established between the output terminal and at least one of the wires of the main network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: NOVATEC SA
    Inventor: Jean-Jacques Carrillo
  • Patent number: 8093748
    Abstract: The Universal Power Inlet System, or UPIS, is a method of providing universal attachment of 3 different types of electrical power systems into the input circuitry of a Power Distribution Unit, or PDU. This method allows use of either fixed or detachable power cord options permitting the PDU to be powered by any of the following types of electrical power sources: 3-Phase Delta, 3-Phase Star (or Wye) and Single-Phase. This method also describes a way to uniquely identify the specific power system the mentioned PDU is currently attached to. The method also optionally allows derivation of supplementary information about the electrical power system such as current capacity, or ampacity, of the power cord being used. All this information can be used for capacity monitoring and reporting as well as protection of PDU circuitry and power cords.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Avocent Huntsville Corporation
    Inventor: Carlos E. Martins
  • Patent number: 8093749
    Abstract: A system may include a switchover element configurable to source or sink power from or to an electronic device electrically coupled to the switchover element and a controller in communication with the switchover element. The controller may be configured to determine if the electronic device is healthy. When the electronic device is healthy, the controller may configure the switchover element to deliver power from the electronic device to the system and configure the switchover element to provide the power to any unhealthy electronic device electrically coupled to the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Juniper Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Hogan Lew, Ankur Singla, Harshad Nakil
  • Publication number: 20110316338
    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: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Eric C. Peterson, Shaun L. Harris, Christian L. Belady, Frank J. Wirtz
  • Patent number: 8082453
    Abstract: Methods and systems for higher power PoE are provided. Embodiments overcome system limitations to PSE power scaling by using an endspan-midspan configuration which allocates power to the PD from both an endspan PSE and a midspan PSE. Embodiments are particularly suitable for deployed PoE systems having limited power supplies and/or ports designed for lower power. Further, embodiments include power management schemes to enable the proposed endspan-midspan configuration to intelligently allocate power between the endspan PSE and the midspan PSE according to required PD power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Wael William Diab
  • Patent number: 8065542
    Abstract: A method for computing the optimal power mode for a system-on-chip (SoC) in which both the clock and Vdd settings are controlled. Information from hardware blocks is synthesized into a global power mode for the entire SoC. The clocks can be disabled or enabled, and Vdd voltages can be disabled, set at a nominal operating level, and set at a retention level in which the state of memory and registers is retained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Synopsys, Inc.
    Inventor: Pieter Struik
  • Publication number: 20110278922
    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: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Leonard, Robert Hick
  • Publication number: 20110273013
    Abstract: The invention relates to a current supply arrangement for, e.g., producing polysilicon with the Siemens process, 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 means group associated with the terminal group, with switching means 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: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: AEG Power Solutions B.V.
    Inventors: Peter Wallmeier, Christian Ferber
  • Patent number: 8050061
    Abstract: A control circuit for a switching power supply (SPS) includes power input and output interfaces, a relay, a relay driving circuit, a microprocessor, and an alternating current/directing current (AC/DC) converter. The power input interface receives an external alternating current (AC) power signal, and transmits the AC power signal to the SPS via the power output interface. The AC/DC converter transforms the AC power signal into a direct current (DC) power signal to supply for the relay, the relay driving circuit, and the microprocessor. When a computer is turned on, the microprocessor sends a first control signal to control the relay driving circuit to drive the relay to connect the power input and output interfaces. When the computer is turned off, the microprocessor sends a second control signal to control the relay driving circuit to drive the relay to cut off connection between the power input and output interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fang-Ta Tai, Chen-Hsiang Lin, Teng-Feng Zou, Jui-Ting Hung, Yi-Bin Hwang, Li-Chung Sun
  • Patent number: 8026635
    Abstract: A power over Ethernet (PoE) power sourcing equipment (PSE) architecture for variable maximum power delivery. PoE PSE subsystems rely on some control to “turn on” a power field effect transistor (FET), which allows current to be transmitted to a powered device (PD). A hybrid approach is provided where an internal FET can be augmented with an external FET to provide an architecture that can be flexibly applied to applications with various space, cost and cooling limitations. The maximum delivered power can also be boosted with the addition of an external FET to the internal FET.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Wael William Diab, Hemanth Nekkileru, Sesha Thalpasai Panguluri
  • Publication number: 20110221270
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a circuit for providing redundant power includes a first channel having a first input, a first electronic circuit breaker, and a first output, a second channel having a second input, a second electronic circuit breaker, and a second output, and a first transistor coupled to the first electronic circuit breaker, the first transistor in series with a second transistor coupled to the second channel. The circuit normally operates by providing power to the first and second outputs from the first and second channels, respectively. However, if the first channel fails, the transistors switch on to allow power from the second channel to feed the first output in the first channel in addition to feeding power to the second output, and vice versa. Other embodiments and methods for providing redundant power are described as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Chu T. Chung, Jen-Ching Lin, Randhir S. Malik
  • Patent number: 8008802
    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: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas W. Leonard, Robert Hick
  • Patent number: 8006132
    Abstract: The present invention includes a plurality of disk units for storing data from a host computer, a plurality of power supply apparatuses for supplying DC power to each of the disk units via main power supply wirings, and a redundant power supply apparatus for generating, with any one of the disk units among the plurality of disk units as a load, DC power to the load. As auxiliary power supply wirings for guiding the output of the redundant power supply apparatus to each of the disk units, a common power supply wiring that is common to each of the power supply apparatuses, a plurality of branch power supply wirings branching from the common power supply wiring and connected to each of the disk units, and a redundant power supply wiring for connecting the redundant power supply apparatus and the common power supply wiring are wired to a backboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Sone
  • Patent number: 7999483
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement (1) for driving an electrical load (13) comprises a first and a second terminal (2, 3) for feeding a first and a second control signal (S1, S2), a first output (23), to which an electrical load (13) can be coupled, a current source (9), which is coupled to the first output (23), and a control device (5). The control device is coupled to the first and the second terminal (2, 3) and comprises a programming circuit (6) and a trigger circuit (7), which are each coupled on the output side to a control input of the current source (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Austriamicrosystems AG
    Inventor: Peter Trattler
  • Patent number: 7994653
    Abstract: One aspect provides a pluggable power management module, comprising a module housing having input and output pluggable connectors extending therefrom configured to be couplable to a corresponding input and output terminals of a conventional, generic distribution panel, a controller interface located on or within the module housing and couplable to a controller, and a sensor located within the module housing and coupled to the controller interface and configured to produce a signal to the controller, that determines that a minimum or maximum threshold voltage or current of a source/load coupled to the pluggable power management module has been reached based on the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Lineage Power Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Gibson, Roy Davis, Michael Steeves
  • Patent number: 7992027
    Abstract: The power supply device of the present invention supplies power individually to a plurality of disk drives by rendering a plurality of DC/DC converters redundant. One redundant power supply substrate is assigned to a plurality of normal power supply substrates. One redundant power supply substrate supports the outputs of a plurality of normal power supply substrates. The main DC/DC converters in the normal power supply substrate correspond with the subgroups on a one-for-one basis. The secondary DC/DC converters in the redundant power supply substrate each correspond with all of the respective subgroups and are able to supply power to a predetermined single disk drive among the respective disk drives in the subgroups for each of the subgroups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Suzuki, Tetsuya Inoue, Masahiro Sone, Toshiyuki Nagamori, Masateru Kurokawa
  • Publication number: 20110181109
    Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring and/or managing power consumption by power units connected to an electricity distribution network are disclosed. Power flow to and/or from a power unit connected to an electricity distribution network is controlled in accordance with a control sequence, such that the consumption and/or provision of power by the power unit results in a power flow having a predefined flow pattern, and having a characteristic, such as an amplitude, which can be remotely measured. This measurement may be performed using a method in which a signal indicative of power flowing at a measurement node is measured and correlated with a predefined pattern, and a characteristic of the correlated signal is measured. Thus, power flow characteristics resulting from a group of one or more power flow devices can be remotely detected and measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: Energy2Trade Limited
    Inventor: Heikki Huomo
  • Patent number: 7982336
    Abstract: Power is automatically allocated among a plurality of network switches, such as a plurality of stackable switches. In one embodiment, one device in the network is designated as a “master” device which controls the power allocation for all of the switches. In another embodiment, a distributed algorithm is used, in which each device uses power allocation decision logic to formulate a mutually agreed-upon power allocation. Power from multiple power-granting devices may be consolidated to provide aggregated power to one or more power-needing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: James Hiscock, Hazem Kabbara
  • Publication number: 20110127832
    Abstract: A power supply arrangement is for supplying power to a chip core. A dc-dc converter arrangement is used both for a wake-up state of the core in preparation for an active state, and for a shut down charge recycling state in which the core supplies charge to the dc-dc converter. Thus, the dc-dc converter arrangement functions both to control powering on of the core in an efficient manner and the powering down of the core to implement charge recycling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Harish KUNDUR SUBRAMANIYAN, Rinze IDA MECHTILDIS PETER MEIJER
  • Patent number: 7952227
    Abstract: A feed hub includes a priority receiving unit that acquires priority indicating degree of need of electricity feed, for each of plural terminals, a feed relation determining unit that selects two communication devices having different priorities acquired by the priority receiving unit, determines the communication device having lower priority as a feed source and the communication device having higher priority as a feed destination from the selected communication devices, an electricity switching unit that connects the feed source and the feed destination determined by the feed relation determining unit, and a feed requesting unit that requests the feed source determined by the feed relation determining unit to feed electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Madoka Mitsuoka, Shigeki Fukuta, Shunsuke Yamaguchi, Kazuo Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7944084
    Abstract: There is described a peripheral module which in addition to the connection terminals for the process data supply has connection terminals for the supply of voltage. Furthermore, the peripheral module has a changeover switching device to disconnect the peripheral module from an upstream load group. The peripheral module can assume the function of a supply group or a power module when a supply voltage is applied to the terminals. In a peripheral system made of several peripheral modules the voltage within a load group is supplied via an internal self-constructing voltage bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Bräunlich, Stefan Dausend
  • Patent number: 7933689
    Abstract: A method for controlling at least one load connected to a primary and a backup power supply having sensor for sensing a voltage on the primary power supply with a first voltage sensor; sensor for sensing a voltage on the backup power supply with a second voltage sensor and implementing a control algorithm in a controller to augment power from said primary power supply with power from the backup power supply in response to an input from the first and second voltage sensors and an input from at least one external sensor wherein the algorithm controls a switch between the at least one load and the primary and backup power supplies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Warren, John Smith
  • Patent number: 7933694
    Abstract: A CD mode electric power allocation ratio calculation unit calculates an electric power allocation ratio between a first power storage device and a power storage device connected to a second converter by means of a switching device, to be used during a CD mode, based on a remaining electric power amount of each power storage device. A CS mode electric power allocation ratio calculation unit calculates a deviation amount between SOC of each of the first power storage device and the power storage device connected to the second converter and a target value thereof, and calculates an electric power allocation ratio to be used during a CS mode, based on the calculated deviation amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Norihiko Kato
  • Patent number: 7932631
    Abstract: A power allocating apparatus has a plurality of power supply modules coupled to a plurality of loads via a plurality of power lines, respectively. The power allocating apparatus includes a first switch element and a control device. The first switch element has a first connecting terminal and a second connecting terminal coupled to an output terminal of a power supply module with a relatively high power conversion rate and an output terminal of a power supply module with a second power conversion rate, respectively, and selectively allocates a power generated by the power supply module with the relatively high power conversion rate to a predetermined number of loadings simultaneously according to on or off states of the first switch element. The control device is coupled to the first switch element to control the first switch element to enter an on state or an off state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignees: Silitek Electronic (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., Lite-On Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chih-Tai Chen, Yi-Chiao Hsu
  • Patent number: 7923866
    Abstract: When power storage units and are both in a normal condition, system relays are maintained in an ON state. A converter performs a voltage conversion operation in accordance with a voltage control mode, and a converter performs a boost operation in accordance with an electric power control mode. If some kind of fault condition occurs in the power storage unit and the system relay is driven to an OFF state, the converters stop the voltage conversion operation and maintain an electrically conducting state between the power storage units and a main positive bus, a main negative bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Ichikawa, Eiji Sato
  • Publication number: 20110068625
    Abstract: A dual line active automatic transfer switch (ATS) is provided. A first switch structure is connected to a first PSU of the plurality of PSUs, and operable between a first position connecting a first input line of the dual line and a second position connecting a second input line of the dual line with the one PSU. A second switch structure is connected to at least one additional PSU of the plurality of PSUs, and operable between a third position connecting the first input line and a fourth position connecting the second input line with the at least one additional PSU. The first and second switch structures are operable between each of the first, second, third, and fourth positions to alternatively connect each of the plurality of PSUs to one of the first and second input lines and connect, when each of the dual lines is charged, both of the first and second input lines to at least one of the plurality of PSUs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jiwu DUAN, Steven M. GROFF, Trung LE, Juan A. YANES
  • Publication number: 20110049982
    Abstract: A modular device for use in emergency or everyday applications and having a plurality of modular components that are interchangeable with one another depending on the particular desired use. The modular device generally includes a plurality of interchangeable load modules, wherein each of the load modules has a load connected thereto, wherein the load is different for each load modules, and at least one power module having at least one battery therein, wherein the power module removably separately connects to each of the load modules and wherein the battery(ies) electrically connects to the load for powering the load. The load modules and power modules may be connected in various manners, such as a push-fit, friction, threadably, slidably, or various other manners to allow quick, easy, and reliable connectivity. The load of the load modules may be comprised of lights, external connectors, radios, MP3 players, or various other electrical devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Fred Allen, Steve D. Simon, Victor A. Lifton, Ronald Durando
  • Patent number: 7890776
    Abstract: A Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) communication system dynamically provides power and data communications over a communications link. In an enterprise environment made up of one or more personal computing devices (e.g., personal or laptop computers), a switch determines an allocated amount of power to be supplied to each device. The system includes a switch, a power supply, and one or more personal computing devices having a PoE control module. The PoE control module can be part of, for example, a Power Source Equipment/Powered Device (PSE/PD) system or a LAN-On-Motherboard/Powered Device (LOM/PD) system. A method of dynamically providing power to personal computing devices includes determining the power requirements of each device based on one or more factors, which can include, for example, battery charge status, power load, power mode, etc., of each device. Various algorithms can be used to decide priority in providing power to the devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Wael William Diab, Simon Assouad
  • Publication number: 20110012427
    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: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: Jason Craig, Kevin Cassidy, Richard Daniel Albarran
  • Publication number: 20110006969
    Abstract: A controlled power supply comprising: a) an array of low voltage current sources; b) a plurality of switch power supplies coupled to each of the storage capacitors and respective ones of the pulse loads being coupled to each of the switch power supplies; c) each of the storage capacitors being configured for storing energy during an inactive portion of a load switching cycle of the respective switch power supply to which the corresponding storage capacitor is coupled when the pulse loads are inactive; d) a respective output capacitor in association with each of the switch power supplies for feeding voltage to the respective pulse loads during an active portion of the load switching cycle; and e) the respective storage capacitor being configured for supplying the stored energy via the respective to the respective switch power supply to which the storage capacitor is coupled to each of the pulse loads coupled to switch power supply during an active portion of the load switching cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: ELTA SYSTEMS LTD.
    Inventors: Enrique Batikoff, Robert Zelig
  • Patent number: 7859130
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for supplying power to equipment disposed in a space, with varying requirements for the power supply, comprising a main distributor which can be connected to a mains electricity supply and which is provided with a fuse, and at least one sub-distributor which is connected to the main distributor by means of a breakable connection, which sub-distributor is provided with equipment sockets for the connection of equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Craneo Holding B.V.
    Inventor: John Diertens
  • Publication number: 20100295370
    Abstract: The interface has three inputs, a first output which is connected to a first input, a second output which can be connected to a second input or to the third input. The interface also includes a switching device which is connected to the second input, the third input and the second output, and a control device which is coupled to the third input in such a way that a detection signal can be fed from the third input to the control device. The detection signal is indicative of whether the second input or the third input is connected to the second pole of the two-pole line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Urs Kästli
  • Patent number: 7831843
    Abstract: A method of controlling power supplies in an information handling system, comprising measuring a power consumption of each of a plurality of electrical devices in the information handling system and adjusting a number of operating power supplies based at least in part on the measured power consumption of each of the plurality of electrical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Michael A. Brundridge, Alan Brumley
  • Patent number: 7825536
    Abstract: An intelligent power system includes one or more common power sources and one or more subsystem components interconnected with the common power sources. Each common power source includes a regulated bus, an unregulated bus, a sensor, a controller and a plurality of switches operated by the controller. A subsystem component includes a regulated bus, an unregulated bus, a power source, a sensor, a controller and a plurality of switches operated by the controller. With such a configuration, the system is able detect and isolate failed segments of the power system and is reconfigurable to restore power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Boris S. Jacobson, Jacqueline M. Bourgeois
  • Publication number: 20100271736
    Abstract: Circuitry is disclosed that comprises: a high voltage rail for providing a high voltage level corresponding to a first higher voltage domain; an intermediate voltage source, a low voltage rail; and a plurality of devices configured to operate in a second lower voltage domain; said circuitry being configured such that a first set of said plurality of devices are arranged in an upper voltage region where they are powered between said high voltage rail and an intermediate voltage rail powered by said intermediate voltage source and a second set of said plurality of devices are arranged in a lower voltage region where they are powered between said intermediate voltage rail and said low voltage rail, said circuitry being configured such that on power up said intermediate voltage source is powered before said high voltage rail, said circuitry further comprising: an isolating circuit arranged in said upper voltage region, said isolating circuit comprising at least one switching device for connecting said intermediat
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Mikael Rien, Jean-Claude Duby, Flora Leymarie, Fabrice Blanc, Thierry Padilla
  • Patent number: 7800246
    Abstract: An electronic device with redundant fan control function includes a first fan, a first control module, a first power supply, a first switch unit, a second fan, a second control module, a second power supply, and a second switch unit. When the first power supply stops working, the second power supply powers the first fan and the second fan, and the first power supply sends a control signal to turn on the first switch unit to allow a group of control information output by the second control module to control the first fan. Therefore, the first fan and the second fan can work normally to dissipate heat from the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teng Lv, Lei Yang, Guo-Yi Chen, Jun Liu
  • Patent number: 7795848
    Abstract: A power supply circuit that accurately generates output voltages with the same regulator includes a regulator for generating a first output voltage from an input voltage. A first switch circuit, connected to the regulator, selectively outputs the first output voltage of the regulator as a second output voltage from the power supply circuit. A pre-charge circuit, connected to the regulator and the first switch circuit, generates the second output voltage from the input voltage before the first output voltage of the regulator is output as the second output voltage while controlling the first switch circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Masami Aiura, Satoshi Takahashi