Control Of Current Or Power Patents (Class 307/31)
  • Patent number: 9502959
    Abstract: An exemplary method for detecting a three-phase islanding state in a three-phase electricity network includes supplying power to a three-phase electricity network via a power supply assembly, controlling an output frequency of the power supply assembly with a frequency reference signal adapted to deviate the output frequency of the power supply assembly from a grid frequency representing a frequency of a common electricity network whose portion of the three-phase electricity network is in normal operating conditions. The method also includes detecting a three-phase islanding state in the electricity network if the output frequency of the power supply assembly is outside an allowable value range. During a normal operating state of the electricity network, the frequency reference signal depends on an active output current of the power supply assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Linda Juvonen, Mikko Routimo
  • Patent number: 9490719
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a power supply controller includes a first controller, a second controller, a transformation circuit, a switch signal generator. The first controller is configured to provide a first control parameter based on a first power supply measurement signal and the second controller is configured to provide a second control parameter based on a second power supply measurement signal. The transformation circuit is configured to provide a first switching control parameter dependent on both the first control parameter and the second control parameter, and to provide a second switching control parameter dependent on both the first control parameter and the second control parameter. The switch signal generator is configured to generate switching signals that depend on both the first switching control parameter and the second switching control parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Luca Scandola
  • Patent number: 9490697
    Abstract: A self-bootstrap driving circuit includes a first input receiving a first control signal; an output, to which a load having an electro-inductive component may be connected; a power switch having first and second current terminals and a control terminal, and being arranged to drive power from a power supply terminal to the load; a bootstrap circuitry arranged to drive the control terminal of the power switch based on the control signal; and a current path between the electro-inductive component of the load and the control terminal of the switch, said current path being arranged to provide direct transfer from said electro-inductive component to said control terminal of the switch of an overvoltage generated at the electro-inductive component to provide an overdrive voltage to said control terminal of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Rolland
  • Patent number: 9479051
    Abstract: A DC to DC converter includes a switching circuit and a controller. The switching circuit includes an inductor coupled to first and second voltage supply nodes and to a plurality of output loads. The controller is configured to monitor a current through the inductor and to selectively couple the inductor to each of the plurality of output loads such that at least one of the following criteria is met: 1) an average current through the inductor is minimized for the particular output loads coupled to the switching circuit, or 2) minimize a number of times the switching circuit is switched during a charging period for the particular output loads coupled to the switching circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-Chung Tseng, Eric Soenen, Alan Roth, Justin Shi
  • Patent number: 9450405
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for converting DC input power to AC output power, including a DC-AC inverter employing: a first feedback loop for determining a maximum power point (MPP) and operating the DC-AC inverter proximate the MPP. A second feedback loop for determining a difference between a first power measurement and a second power measurement, producing an error signal indicative of the difference, and coupling the error signal to the first feedback loop to adjust at least one operating parameter of the DC-AC inverter to drive toward the MPP, where the first power measurement and the second power measurement are each determined based on a phase shift between an AC output voltage from the DC-AC inverter and an AC output current from the DC-AC inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Enphase Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Fornage
  • Patent number: 9441846
    Abstract: An HVAC controller, a method for operating a HVAC unit and a HVAC unit are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the HVAC controller includes: (1) a memory configured to store a unique default network address for the controller and (2) a processor configured to automatically generate the unique default network address based on a seed value that is uniquely associated with the HVAC unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Mauk, John P. Stachler
  • Patent number: 9400534
    Abstract: The invention provides an electronic device with connectors which can be adjusted the providing current. The connectors connect external electronic devices and provide current to power the external electronic devices. User can adjust the current providing status through the user interface of the electronic device according to high or low current requirement of external electronic devices. The electronic device can also read out the power parameter storing in an external electronic device, and adjust the current according to the power parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Qisda Corporation
    Inventor: Feng-Lin Chen
  • Patent number: 9391059
    Abstract: A scalable solid-state power controller system is provided with channel protection features. A plurality of output channels may be combined to provide a combined channel output. The current provided at the combined channel output is sourced from the plurality of output channels and each channel is protected from faults such as overcurrent events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: John A. Dickey
  • Patent number: 9385604
    Abstract: Provided is a DC/DC converter for a switching power supply device including a plurality of DC/DC converters which include a master DC/DC converter and a plurality of slave DC/DC converters and have output terminals connected in parallel to each other. The DC/DC converter includes: first and second terminals that are used to cascade the plurality of DC/DC converters in a line; a control circuit that determines that a host DC/DC converter is the master DC/DC converter when a predetermined voltage is detected at the second terminal and determines that the host DC/DC converter is the slave DC/DC converter when the predetermined voltage is not detected; and that controls a current output from the second terminal based on whether the host DC/DC converter is the master DC/DC converter or the slave DC/DC converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Yasuaki Yorozu
  • Patent number: 9376958
    Abstract: An electricity generation system (EGS) is provided that can be deployed at a point-of-use site (e.g. residence, business, etc.). In one implementation, the EGS includes a generator for generating electricity (where the generator includes a Stirling engine that uses gaseous fuel for a combustion fuel source), an interface for interfacing with an electrical infrastructure of the site as well as a power grid, and a controller for controlling the operation of the EGS. The EGS may be used in conjunction with the power grid, and may selectively provide electricity to the electrical infrastructure based upon instructions from a utility provider that manages the power grid, based upon an electrical load imposed on the electrical infrastructure, based upon the electrical capacity provided by the power grid, based upon cost considerations, etc. By taking some or all of these considerations into account, the EGS can adapt its behavior to fit changing conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Inventors: Anthony Bonora, David G. Duff
  • Patent number: 9367075
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, system and computer program is provided for controlling an electric power system, including implementation of a voltage control and conservation (VCC) system used to optimally control the independent voltage and capacitor banks using a linear optimization methodology to minimize the losses in the EEDCS and the EUS. An energy validation process system (EVP) is provided which is used to document the savings of the VCC and an EPP is used to optimize improvements to the EEDCS for continuously improving the energy losses in the EEDS. The EVP system measures the improvement in the EEDS a result of operating the VCC system in the “ON” state determining the level of energy conservation achieved by the VCC system. In addition the VCC system monitors pattern recognition events and compares them to the report-by-exception data to detect HVL events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Dominion Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip W. Powell, Stephen J. Tyler, Melissa A. Peskin
  • Patent number: 9360336
    Abstract: A navigation device has an evaluation unit for determining a maximal range, which can be traveled in the current driving operation mode with an amount of energy stored in an energy storage device of the motor vehicle, and a display unit for displaying a road map, on which a border of an action field delimited by the determined at least one maximum range is presented. A range indicator can be adapted with low expenditure to different types of road maps. On the basis of the graphic data of the road map to be indicated, a graphic processing unit produces a representation of the road map with a region that is offset in terms of height in relation to a map plane. An extension of a border of the region that is offset in terms of height corresponds to the extension of the border of the action field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Joerg Daniel Hoesterei
  • Patent number: 9323665
    Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit and to a method for generating a start sequence. The circuit comprises at least one partially programmable memory (nonvol) for storing an encoded start sequence (Ni) and a control unit (CTRL), which is equipped to read the encoded start sequence (Ni) and decode it into a decoded start sequence (dNi) and to generate a target register address (n) depending on the decoded start sequence (dNi). An addressable memory (vol) is provided, to which the decoded start sequence (dNi) can be written by means of the control unit (CTRL) at the target register address (n).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventors: Peter Kammerlander, Thomas Jessenig, Christian Halper
  • Patent number: 9306683
    Abstract: A compact and versatile power meter is created through the use of a discrete component network providing for phased splitting and combining of signals obtained at taps along a transmission conduit having a predefined phase separation. The use of the discrete component network eliminates the need for bulky waveguides or microstrip antenna designs, the latter providing phase shift through their physical dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Radom Corporation
    Inventors: Velibor Pikelja, Jovan Jevtic, Ashok Menon
  • Patent number: 9304174
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for monitoring system operations in an integrated circuit. A method includes receiving a first power supply voltage from a first processing domain, comparing the first power supply voltage to a first reference voltage, receiving the second power supply voltage from the second processing domain, comparing the second power supply voltage to a second reference voltage, determining that the first power supply voltage exceeds the first reference voltage or that the second power supply voltage exceeds the second reference voltage, and transmitting one or more alarms corresponding to one or more of the first power supply voltage and the second power supply voltage in response to determining that the first power supply voltage exceeds the first reference voltage or that the second power supply voltage exceeds the second reference voltage. An integrated circuit and system monitor are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: XILINX, INC.
    Inventors: Bradley L. Taylor, Sagheer Ahmad
  • Patent number: 9287714
    Abstract: An effective, yet relatively simple and inexpensive, method for detection of islanding in distributed power generation systems. Statistical analysis of the local line frequency, as measured at the distributed generator, is performed to detect when an island has been formed. The statistical characteristics of the local frequency are controlled by the grid when the distributed generator is not islanding. When an island is formed, however, frequency control switches to circuitry associated with the distributed generator. Because the statistical characteristics of the frequency control performed by the distributed generator are markedly different from those of the grid, the islanding condition can be detected and corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventor: Michael Ropp
  • Patent number: 9274357
    Abstract: A main voltage step-up circuit includes a coil which one end thereof is connected to a power supply; a main switching element which is connected between the other end of the coil and a ground potential, and which is controlled by the main control circuit; a diode which is connected to the other end of the coil; a smoothing capacitor which is connected to the diode and is a ceramic capacitor; and an auxiliary voltage step-up circuit which is connected to the other end of the coil. The auxiliary voltage step-up circuit is ON when the main step-up voltage circuit is OFF, and compensates a potential change in the smoothing capacitor. The auxiliary voltage step-up circuit includes an auxiliary switching element which is connected between the other end of the coil and a ground potential; and an auxiliary control circuit which controls the auxiliary switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Japan Display Inc.
    Inventor: Satoshi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9263885
    Abstract: A high-speed low dropout (HS-LDO) voltage regulation circuit suitable to enable a power gate unit to produce a variable voltage signal based on the load of a processor is disclosed herein. In various embodiments, selection logic may dynamically enable or disable the HS-LDO circuit to allow the power gate unit to operate under a fully-on or fully-off mode. Other embodiments may be disclosed or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Malay Trivedi, Tong H. Kim
  • Patent number: 9241380
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for independent control of individual LED strings driven from a single AC current source. A lighting driver circuit includes a DC-AC inverter with series resonance that provides a current that may be split into multiple currents for driving multiple LED assemblies. Current splitting transformers may be used to divide the current from the AC source, and the amplitude of the current from the AC source may be determined by a microcontroller. In some cases the current splitting transformers provide galvanic isolation to the LED assemblies. The multiple LED assemblies may be controlled by a number of switches that may independently activate the individual LED assemblies based on the duty cycle of multiple PWM signals provided to the switches by the microcontroller. When all of the PWM signals output from the microcontroller are on an off-cycle, the current source may be turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: OSRAM SYLVANIA INC.
    Inventors: Bernhard Siessegger, Benjamin Alexandrovich
  • Patent number: 9197067
    Abstract: An electric power supply-and-demand control system includes a memory unit, an estimation unit, a first calculation unit, and a second calculation unit. The system is capable of transmitting/receiving data to/from a power management apparatus provided to each of consumers to instruct a power management apparatus to adjust electric power. The memory unit memorizes a supply, consumptions, reserve power, and response results. The estimation unit estimates a response speed on the basis of the response results. The first calculation unit calculates a target value which allows it to eliminate an unbalance between the supply and a demand. The demand is given as a total of the consumptions. The second calculation unit calculates second adjustment amounts so that a total of the second adjustment amounts approaches the target value and is in the range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tomoshi Otsuki, Yoshiyuki Sakamaki
  • Patent number: 9190843
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a power strip including a plurality of power sockets and at least one USB port. The power strip includes a high-voltage side circuit and a low-voltage side circuit. The high-voltage side circuit includes a power input terminal, a plurality of AC output terminals, and a first power circuit. The low-voltage side circuit includes a DC output terminal, a second power circuit, and a control unit. Each AC output terminal is coupled with the power input terminal and one of the power sockets and at least one AC output terminal powers the corresponding power socket according to a control signal. The second power circuit senses the first DC power before generating and transmitting a corresponding second DC power to the USB port through the DC output terminal. The control unit powered by the second DC power is configured to generate the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: POWERTECH INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chih-Shang Chiang
  • Patent number: 9184672
    Abstract: A DC-to-AC power conversion method is provided, including: generating an AC reference signal and an AC zero crossing detection signal; generating an error signal based on the AC reference signal and an output current or an output voltage at an AC output terminal; generating a turn-off signal based on the error signal and an input current at a DC input terminal; detecting or predicting a valley voltage of a resonance voltage to generate a turn-on signal; generating first, second, third and fourth switching signals based on the AC zero crossing detection signal, the turn-off signal and the turn-on signal; and controlling first, second, third and fourth switching elements of power conversion modules with the first, second, third and fourth switching signals, to enable the first and second power conversion modules to convert the input current of the DC input terminal to the output current of the AC output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chau-Chun Wen, Ming-Hung Yu
  • Patent number: 9142968
    Abstract: A solar power inverter that detects islanding conditions includes a power generation component that generates alternating current (AC) from direct current produced by photovoltaic cells. The inverter generates AC for a load or an electrical power grid. The inverter also includes a component that generates synchrophasors from characteristics of electrically proximate AC. The inverter further includes a component that receives grid synchrophasors transmitted from a location on the electrical power grid (e.g., a transmission substation). The inverter further includes a controller that uses the inverter synchrophasors and the grid synchrophasors to calculate a degree of correlation between the electrical power grid AC frequency and the frequency of the electrically proximate AC. If the degree of correlation dips below a predefined value or exhibits certain patterns or behaviors that are indicative of a loss of mains (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Ropp
  • Patent number: 9124134
    Abstract: Method for avoiding voltage instability in an electrical grid of an offshore wind park, the offshore wind park electrical grid being connected at a first end of a high voltage alternating current (HVAC) transmission and the main land electrical grid being connected at a second end of the HVAC transmission, each of the wind turbines being connected to the wind park electrical grid, the method comprises determining a main land phase angle at or near the second end of the HVAC transmission; measuring an individual wind turbine phase angle at one or more wind turbines; determining the difference between each of the measured individual wind turbine phase angles and the main land phase angle; and determining whether the difference between one of the measured individual wind turbine phase angle and the main land phase angle exceeds a threshold phase angle difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: ALSTOM RENEWABLE TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Oriol Gomis Bellmunt, Mónica Aragüés Penñalba
  • Patent number: 9124130
    Abstract: A wall-mountable temperature control device having a vertically-arranged temperature adjustment actuator for adjusting a setpoint temperature of a temperature control system to thus control a present temperature in a building, a room temperature visual display for displaying a visual representation of the present temperature of the building, and a setpoint temperature visual display for displaying a visual representation of the setpoint temperature. The room and setpoint temperature visual displays each comprising a linear array of light-emitting diodes arranged parallel to the temperature adjustment actuator and controlled such that one of the light-emitting diodes of the setpoint temperature visual display is illuminated to display the setpoint temperature in response to the actuations of the temperature adjustment actuator and one of the light-emitting diodes of the room temperature visual display is illuminated to display the present temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Gregory Altonen, Nikhil Vithal Bhate, Elliot G. Jacoby, Michael W. Pessina, Walter S. Zaharchuk, Joel S. Spira
  • Patent number: 9112509
    Abstract: A phase synchronization circuit for AC voltage includes an optical phase detection unit that outputs a phase detection signal by detecting an externally provided first AC voltage; a power failure detection unit that outputs a power failure signal by detecting the power failure condition of the first AC voltage; a control unit that selectively activates a selection signal according to the control of the power failure detection signal and outputs a phase control signal according to the control of the phase detection signal; a second AC voltage generation unit that generates a second AC voltage to have the same phase of the first AC voltage when outputting a second AC voltage according to the control of the phase control signal; and a selection unit that outputs either the first AC voltage or the second AC voltage according to the control of the selection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: GREEN POWERSET CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kyu Min Hwang
  • Patent number: 9106099
    Abstract: A power monitoring system to monitor electrical power supply to electrical equipments. The monitor includes an energy saving device to reduce unnecessary power consumption. A control means for enabling control of power consumption of electrical devices in response to the data output of the monitored power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: EMBERTEC PTY LTD.
    Inventor: Guiseppe Antonio Gelonese
  • Patent number: 9099919
    Abstract: A single-inductor-multiple-output (SIMO) DC-DC switching regulator with a current-mode hysteretic control technique having an ultra-fast transient response to suppress cross-regulation is provided. The DC-DC switching regulator includes: at least one power source for providing electrical energy; an inductive energy storage element for accumulating and transferring the electrical energy from the input power source to a plurality of outputs; a main switch for controlling energy accumulation at the inductive energy storage element; a plurality of output switches for controlling energy transfer to each of the plurality of outputs; a freewheel switch coupled in parallel with the inductive energy storage element; and a controller, configured to coordinate the plurality of output switches and the main switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Xiaocheng Jing, Kwok Tai Philip Mok
  • Patent number: 9084583
    Abstract: Methods and devices for monitoring and/or treating patients comprise a switch to automatically start-up the device when the device contacts tissue. By automatically starting up the device, the device may be installed without the clinician and/or user turning on the device, such that the device can be easy to use. In many embodiments, the device comprises startup circuitry with very low current and/or power consumption, for example less than 100 pA. The startup circuitry can detect tissue contact and turn on circuitry that is used to monitor or treat the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC MONITORING, INC.
    Inventors: Scott T. Mazar, Mark J. Bly, Arthur Lai
  • Patent number: 9047071
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling distribution of power. The apparatus is used for controlling application of power to a plurality of devices including at least one master device and at least one controlled device. The apparatus includes: a power inlet constructed and arranged to receive power from a power source; a plurality of power outlets including at least one master power outlet (12M) and at least one controlled power outlet (12S); and means for generating a power profile of the at least one master device electrically connected to the master power outlet, determining a characteristic of a stand-by power consumption level of the at least one master device and controlling a supply of power from the power inlet to the at least one controlled power outlet in response to a comparison of a characteristic of power delivered to the at least one master device with the characteristic of the stand-by power consumption level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marlon Galsim, Wei-Shih Chiang
  • Publication number: 20150145332
    Abstract: A method for the closed-loop control of a voltage in a distribution network that supplies nodes with voltage via mains power lines. A node, which recognizes that the local voltage of the distribution network present at the node lies above or below a permissible supply voltage range, switches from slave mode to master mode and in the master mode regulates the local voltage that is present, by drawing or supplying reactive power in order to reach the permissible supply voltage range. The node then indicates this to other nodes of the distribution network that are in slave mode by modulating an indication signal pattern onto the reactive power being drawn or supplied by the node. The signal pattern has a signal parameter which is proportional to the amplitude of the reactive power that is drawn or supplied by the node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Joachim Bamberger, Michael Bernhard Buhl, Michael Metzger, Rudolf Sollacher
  • Publication number: 20150145334
    Abstract: System and methods are provided for dynamic voltage control of a device. An example system includes: a power management unit configured to dynamically detect one or more operation modes of a plurality of chip components of a device, determine a target operating voltage based at least in part on the detected operation modes, and generate one or more voltage control signals associated with the target operating voltage; an input/output control unit configured to, in response to the one or more voltage control signals, toggle a plurality of input/output pins; and a power management integrated circuit connected to the plurality of input/output pins and configured to change an actual operating voltage of the device to the target operating voltage in response to the toggling of the plurality of input/output pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Jian Xiong, Wilbur Wang, Wei Huang, Xikai Zhao, Zhoujie Wu, Xiaoguang Chen
  • Publication number: 20150145333
    Abstract: Power generated by a vibration power generator using an electret is efficiently supplied to a power supply load. A vibration power generator includes a first substrate and a second substrate configured to be moved relative to each other by external vibration while remaining opposite each other, a group of a plurality of electrets arranged in the relative movement direction on one surface side of the first substrate, and a group of a plurality of electrodes arranged in the relative movement direction on a surface side of the second substrate opposite to the group of electrets, the group of electrodes including first current collecting electrodes and second current collecting electrodes electrically connected to respective power supply loads to which power generated by the external vibration is supplied, and ground electrodes each provided between the first current collecting electrode and the second current collecting electrode and grounded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Tatsuakira Masaki, Misato Nabeto, Keiki Matsuura
  • Publication number: 20150137599
    Abstract: A current electronic distributing device that can limit maximum output currents of a plurality of input/output (I/O) ports to a first current or a second current. The current electronic distributing device includes a plurality of current detection units, a plurality of current limiting units, a control unit, and a power supply unit. The power supply unit supplies power to the current electronic distributing device. Each of the current detection units respectively detects consumption currents of each of the I/O ports. The control unit calculates a sum of the consumption currents of the plurality of I/O ports, and controls each of the current limiting units to limit the maximum output currents of each of the I/O ports to the first current or the second current according to the sum of the consumption currents of the plurality of I/O ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: HER-SHUENN CHUNG
  • Publication number: 20150137700
    Abstract: Systems and methods of driving multiple outputs are provided in which a single inductor may be used to drive multiple output such as independent strings of LEDs or white LEDs (WLEDs). In an example embodiment, a boost DC to DC converter may be used with a single inductor to drive multiple outputs. In an example embodiment, the error voltage of each of the multiple outputs is sampled during each cycle of the DC to DC converter and the largest error voltage is determined for that cycle. Power from the DC to DC converter is then supplied to that output during that cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: David Wayne Evans, Kevin Scoones, James Larry Krug, Pradeep Katikaneni
  • Publication number: 20150137600
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, system and computer program is provided for controlling an electric power system, including implementation of a voltage control and conservation (VCC) system used to optimally control the independent voltage and capacitor banks using a linear optimization methodology to minimize the losses in the EEDCS and the EUS. An energy validation process system (EVP) is provided which is used to document the savings of the VCC and an EPP is used to optimize improvements to the EEDCS for continuously improving the energy losses in the EEDS. The EVP system measures the improvement in the EEDS a result of operating the VCC system in the “ON” state determining the level of energy conservation achieved by the VCC system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Stephen J. Tyler, Phillip W. Powell
  • Publication number: 20150137706
    Abstract: The power conversion apparatus converts power among a plurality of ports, and includes: a first voltage conversion unit that converts a voltage of a first port and outputs power having the converted voltage to a second port; and a second voltage conversion unit that performs a first operation of converting a voltage of one port of the second port and a third port and outputting power having the converted voltage to the other port, or a second operation of converting a voltage of the other port and outputting power having the converted voltage to the one port, and when performing the first operation the second voltage conversion unit switches from the first operation to the second operation when a vehicle condition where power of the one port is insufficient is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenichiro NAGASHITA
  • Publication number: 20150135538
    Abstract: A method and system for regulating current flow in a wet shave razor includes one or more conductive materials, such as metals, in electric circuit connection, wherein each conductive material has unique resistance properties and is used to regulate the amount of current (i.e. heat) flowing to at least one electrically powered component on the blade cartridge, and particularly one or more electrically powered devices/elements on the blade cartridge such as, but not limited to, one or more blades, one or more heating elements, a vibration device, illuminating device (e.g. LED or bulb), gauges, or indicators. The length and thickness of the conductive materials used in the electric circuit further affects the total circuit resistance and, accordingly, the amount of current flowing to the blade cartridge for heating the blades. In other embodiments, the dissimilar material conductors may be used to regulate current flow to alternative electrically conductive components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicants: Display Matrix Corporation, L.P.I. Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis D. Tomassetti, William Bohmer
  • Publication number: 20150137601
    Abstract: A power supply management method for electronic devices includes: an electric power transmission step of wirelessly transmitting electric power to each of electronic devices 50, 60 placed on a table 10 from a power supplying device 20 contained in the top plate of the table 10; a step of receiving electric power transmitted from the power supplying device 20 by each of the electronic devices 50, 60; and a step of activating the system of each of the electronic devices by the electronic devices 50, 60 when the electric power is received from the power supplying device 20 and an amount of the received electric power is equal to or larger than a threshold value for system activation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koudai FUJITA, Ryousuke ITOU, Junji HAYASHI, Masanari ASANO, Takeshi MISAWA
  • Publication number: 20150137598
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an electronic system comprises one or more power circuits configured to receive a first voltage from an external power source and produce a second voltage to one or more electronic components of the electronic system, and a power management circuit configured to determine one or more output currents of the one or more power circuits, wherein the power management circuit causes the external power source to change the first voltage based on at least one output current of at least one power circuit to reduce power loss of the at least one power circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Qualcomm Incorporated
    Inventors: Shadi Hawawini, VaraPrasad Arikatla, Hee Jun Park
  • Publication number: 20150130405
    Abstract: A method for supplying power to detected devices coupled to a conductive backplane includes: supplying a plurality of sensing signals at a plurality of transmit impedance values to the conductive backplane; analyzing a plurality of return signals received from the conductive backplane, the return signals corresponding to the sensing signals; detecting the presence of a sink device coupled to the conductive backplane based on the analyzed return signals; and supplying power from a power supply to the sink device via the conductive backplane after detecting the presence of the sink device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Edin Insanic, Joshua Michael Cochin, Benjamin Phillip Bromberg, Will E. Leland
  • Patent number: 9030042
    Abstract: A power transmission and distribution system suitable for subsea electrical loads includes a primary dc transmission cable connected to an onshore AC/DC converter module that connects the onshore end of the cable to an ac supply network. The subsea end of the cable is connected to a primary subsea power distribution unit and includes a DC/DC converter module having a modular topology with a series of interconnected DC/DC converter units. The DC/DC converter module is connected between the cable and a primary dc distribution network. Secondary dc transmission cables and associated circuit breakers connect the primary subsea power distribution unit to secondary subsea power distribution units that are located near the subsea loads. Each secondary subsea power distribution unit includes a DC/DC converter module having a modular topology with a series of interconnected DC/DC converter units. Respective secondary dc distribution networks supply power to one or more subsea loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: GE Energy Power Conversion Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Changjiang Zhan, Allan David Crane, Andrew James Bullock
  • Publication number: 20150123568
    Abstract: A load drive circuit may include a DC power source configured to provide a DC output voltage for at least one load based on an output voltage of an AC/DC converter, the DC output voltage having a ripple, a variable resistance module connected to the load, a ripple reduction module that generates, based on a reference voltage and a feedback signal from the load, a variable resistance adjusting signal for adjusting the resistance of the variable resistance module so as to reduce a ripple of the load current, wherein the reference voltage is generated based on the DC output voltage, and a reference voltage adjusting module that adjusts the average value of the reference voltage based on the variable resistance adjusting signal, so as to make the average value of the reference voltage approach the average value of the feedback signal as much as possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Xusheng Yang, Shaoping Chen, Xiongqiang He, Qingfu Zhang
  • Publication number: 20150115832
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are presented for compensating for offsets in digital-to-analog converters (DACs). An apparatus may comprise a gain block. The non-inverting input of the gain block may be provided with a bias voltage selected to exceed the worst-case expected positive offset of a DAC. Feedback from the output of the gain block may be provided to a processor. The processor may be connected to drive the DAC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: KONINKLJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Michael J. Conroy, Miroslaw Marek Grotkowski
  • Publication number: 20150115716
    Abstract: A method for recording power consumption data of a residential unit, the residential unit having a distributor (4) with at least one load circuit (7), wherein at least one load (9) is arranged in each load circuit (7), wherein at least one load (9) can be individually actuated and wherein at least one load circuit (7) has means (6) for measuring the power consumed in the load circuit (7). The residential unit has a control unit (10), which actuates the load or loads (9) on the basis of predetermined or predeterminable scenes. The power consumption of the load circuits (7) is measured individually and recorded by the control unit (10) and the control unit (10) assigns the power consumption to the set scenes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Martin Vesper, Cornel Durrer
  • Patent number: 9018576
    Abstract: Disclosed is a low drop-out voltage regulator circuit with a distributed output network coupled to a pixel array for use in image sensor circuitry. The regulator circuit comprises voltage regulating circuitry and a distributed output network, wherein the distributed output network comprises drive transistors disposed along and connected between a supply track and an output track. The spatial distribution of the drive transistors improves heat dissipation within the regulator circuit, and a combination of low current flow and regulated output voltage reduces IR drop across the output track. The improved heat dissipation increases device lifespan and performance, whereas the reduction in IR drop across the output track provides better pixel response, readout uniformity, and image quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
    Inventors: Jingfeng Gong, Yann Desprez-le-Goarant
  • Patent number: 9018798
    Abstract: A power supply circuit includes a comparator, first to third electronic switches, a D-trigger, a power supply unit (PSU), and a complex programmable logic device (CPLD). When a voltage from the PSU is greater than a reference voltage, the first electronic switch is turned on. An electronic device connected to the first electronic does not receive power from the PSU. The second electronic switch is turned on. The third electronic switch is turned off. The D-trigger outputs a low level signal to make the CPLD control the PSU stop supplying power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ya-Jun Pan, Ting Ge
  • Publication number: 20150108840
    Abstract: A remote isolation system for a plant using a plurality of plant equipment items and a plant control system in communication with these equipment items. The plant control system enables isolation, from an energy source, of the plant equipment items. The plant control system includes selecting means for selecting a set of equipment items to be isolated; and control means to command isolation of the selected set of plant equipment items following approval by the plant control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: ICM Technologies Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Michael Lane, Jack Mross, Julian Hughes, Phil Rohrlach
  • Publication number: 20150108841
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include multi-functional power supply devices and related methods. In an embodiment, the multi-functional power supply device can include a base monument and a detachable accessory module. The base monument can include a first housing, an integrated power and support socket, an internal circuitry, AC electrical outlets, and DC electrical outlets. The detachable accessory module can include a second housing and an integrated power and support plug. The detachable accessory module can be configured to fit on top of the base monument. Other embodiments are also included herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Weber, John Kenneth Blomstrom
  • Patent number: 9013059
    Abstract: A load control system for a building having a lighting load, a window, and a heating and cooling system comprises a lighting control device for controlling the amount of power delivered to the lighting load, a daylight control device (such as a motorized window treatment) for adjusting the amount of natural light to be admitted through a window, and a controller for adjusting a setpoint temperature of the heating and cooling system to thus control a present temperature in the building. In response to receiving a demand response command, the controller controls the lighting control device, the daylight control device, and the heating and cooling system so as to decrease a total power consumption of the load control system. The load control system may comprise a controllable switching device for disconnecting power to or disconnecting the control lines to one or more components of the heating and cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Altonen, William Bryce Fricke, Elliot G. Jacoby, Michael W. Pessina, Walter S. Zaharchuk, Joel S. Spira