Selectively Connected Or Controlled Load Circuits Patents (Class 307/38)
  • Patent number: 8575786
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for addressing power to at least a selected load from a plurality of loads, in particular light sources in solid state lighting applications, such as decorative indoor and outdoor illumination for buildings or cars, by timing a power signal such as to power a selected load when said common timed power signal is switched to said load under control of a delayed clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Alwin Rogier Martijn Verschueren
  • Patent number: 8569912
    Abstract: A backup power management system connectable to a primary power source and a secondary power source, and a method of operating the same. The system includes a single controller that is connected to both a first transfer switch contactor and a second transfer switch contactor. Both the primary power source and a secondary power source are broken into two separate output supplies. The two separate output supplies from the primary power source and the secondary power source are each provided to one of the first and second transfer switch contactors. The single controller sends signals to the first and second transfer switch contactors to control the movement of the contactors between first and second positions. In this manner, the single controller controls both the first transfer switch contactor and the second transfer switch contactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Sie Teong Lim, Robert Jeffery Hurd, Sr., Kenny J. Stair, Brandon Michael Batzler
  • Patent number: 8552585
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first p-channel laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor (LDMOS) transistor formed over the semiconductor substrate and additional p-channel LDMOS transistors formed over the semiconductor substrate. First drain and gate electrodes are formed over the substrate and are coupled to the first LDMOS transistor. Additional drain and gate electrodes are formed over the substrate and are coupled to the second LDMOS transistor. A common source electrode for the first and second LDMOS transistors is also formed over the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Jacek Korec, Stephen L. Colino
  • Patent number: 8546976
    Abstract: A system for supplying electric power from an AC power source to ships, each of the ships moored at a respective berth of a quay, the system including a rectifier, having an AC and DC side, for converting AC electric power from the AC power source to DC power, the AC side arranged to be connected to the AC power source, and a plurality of ship connection arrangements for supplying electric power to a respective ship, each of the ship connection arrangements placed at one of the berths and including an inverter configurable to output AC power at a first or a second frequency and a ship connector for connecting the ship. A DC distribution network connected to the DC side of the rectifier and the rectifier is placed at a distance from the quay and each of the inverters is connected to the DC distribution network is also contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Ambra Sannino, Georgios Demetriades, Lars Hultqvist, Ola Norén
  • Publication number: 20130241287
    Abstract: A power distribution unit, a communication device used with same, and a power distribution system. The power distribution unit comprises a master management module (331), and at least a group of socket management modules (211). The socket management module (211) is used to manage power output. The master management module (331) is connected to each socket management module (211), and is used to monitor a power output state of each socket management module (211) and control a switching state of the power output of each socket management module (211). The master management module (331) comprises an incoming port (431) and an outgoing port (432) for connection to external devices. The power distribution system comprises the power distribution unit and the communication device coordinating with the power distribution unit. The system can implement intelligent remote monitoring on the power distribution unit, and effective monitoring on a surrounding environment of the power distribution unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: TYPHOON HONG KONG LIMITED
    Inventor: Kin Fai HUI
  • Publication number: 20130241286
    Abstract: A power supply system which consumes less power by reducing leak current that flows through a switch is provided. The power supply system includes a command unit and a plurality of components each including a power supply line, a load, and a switch which switches electrical connection between the power supply line and the load. The command unit separately controls on/off of the switches, and the switches are transistors including a semiconductor having a wider band gap than silicon in channel formation regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shunpei YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20130241438
    Abstract: A driving device includes a power source that converts input power to output power, first and second capacitors connected to an output of the power source, a load selector, and a capacitor selector. The load selector opens/closes circuits of first and second loads connected to the output of the power source to alternately close these circuits such that the second-load circuit is closed after the opening of the first-load circuit. The capacitor selector opens/closes circuits of the first and second capacitors to alternately close these circuits such that the first-capacitor circuit is closed in synchronization with the closing of the first-load circuit, and such that the second-capacitor circuit is closed in synchronization with the closing of the second-load circuit. The capacitor selector opens the first-capacitor circuit after the opening of the first-load circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideo SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 8527108
    Abstract: A method for managing an energy consuming load in a group of energy consuming loads and a method for managing the group of energy consuming loads. The method includes generating sets of load state data from the loads, making enablement state decisions for one or more loads independently of the other loads using the sets of load state data, and implementing the enablement state decisions. A computer readable medium for providing computer readable instructions directing a processor in order to manage an energy consuming load in a group of energy consuming loads. An apparatus including a processor programmed to manage an energy consuming load in a group of energy consuming loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: REGEN Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Roman Kulyk, Mark Kerbel
  • Patent number: 8502470
    Abstract: A direct current power system according to one non-limiting embodiment includes a direct current power source operable to distribute a direct current voltage throughout at least one structure, and at least one controller operable to selectively couple a direct current load to the direct current voltage in response to a wireless signal from an energy-harvesting switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Enocean GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Alan Barnett, Jeffrey Iott, Jian Xu
  • Publication number: 20130192566
    Abstract: A control system is disclosed for use with an engine. The control system may have a power source and a main control module configured to receive power from the power source and direct control signals to at least one component of the engine. The control system may also have an auxiliary power module that is selectively connectable to the main control module and to the power source. The auxiliary power module may be configured to receive power from the power source and direct control signals through the main control module to the at least one component of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventor: Bahman GOZLOO
  • Publication number: 20130187461
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery type electric power tool is widely used for a construction work or a horticultural work. A battery of the electric power tool can also be used as a power source of an electric apparatus. Because of this construction, there is provided the electric apparatus that has a function equivalent to that of an AC power source type apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiko Goto, Takayoshi Endo, Tomonobu Nashimoto
  • Patent number: 8493029
    Abstract: A method of dynamic power management of a mobile device. The method includes monitoring at least one load to determine when at least one of the loads will become active or inactive, determining a minimum required output voltage level to be provided by a single voltage converter based on voltage level requirements of the at least one load that will become active or inactive, converting an input voltage level via the voltage converter to provide the minimum required output voltage level to the output power port in advance of the at least one load becoming active or after the at least one load becomes inactive, monitoring the input voltage level, determining whether the input voltage level is below a first threshold, and when the input voltage level is below the first threshold, reducing the output voltage level provided by the single voltage converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Lyall Kenneth Winger, Dusan Veselic, Martin George Albert Guthrie
  • Patent number: 8487474
    Abstract: The methods and apparatus described enable automatic configuration, or commissioning, of controller devices and load control devices through a low voltage communication network controlled by one or more controller devices. These methods and apparatus further enable expansion of the load control system by connection of additional loads and or load control devices and or controller devices which will reinitialize the low voltage communication network and automatically reconfigure the controller devices and load control devices connected to the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: The Watt Stopper, Inc.
    Inventors: Louia Weidman, Peter John Horton, Jason H. Joyce, Eric J. Fournier
  • Publication number: 20130169861
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup control portion which includes an image pickup portion and a processing portion performing a process of image picking-up; a position information acquiring portion which acquires position information; a time information acquiring portion which acquires time information; and a power management portion which controls supply of power to the portions, the power management portion and the time information acquiring portion are continuously supplied with power, when the time information corresponds to a predicted use time, the position information acquiring portion is supplied with power, and when the position information is separated from position information of a predetermined place by a predetermined distance or more, a memory for program execution is supplied with power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Sony Corporation
  • Patent number: 8456040
    Abstract: A connection system for connecting an encoded domestic appliance feature module to a utility source and transferring a plurality of utilities between the encoded feature module and the utility source. The connection system includes a utility source that has a coupler capable of removably engaging an encoded domestic appliance feature module to the utility source. Also included is at least one encoded domestic appliance feature module that independently supplies one or more functionalities. Further included is an interface between the utility source and the feature module, where the interface includes a detection and recognition device that operates to detect when the encoded feature module is connected to the utility source, where one or more predetermined utilities are transferred between the utility source and the feature module based upon which feature module is connected to the utility source, and where the detection and recognition device may be a reed switch, a DIP switch, and a comparator circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Robert Ryan Bradley, James W. Kendall, Steven J. Kuehl, Douglas D. Leclear, Alan S. Lucas, Andrew M. Tenbarge, John J. Vonderhaar, Guolian Wu
  • Patent number: 8450874
    Abstract: The present invention is related to user managed power systems with security. The invention encompasses a method and system of managing a power system wherein a data center user determines whether there is a desire to control remote power supply socket assigned to the user's data module. The data center user is able to sign into the remote power supply through a security protocol. Then the data center user can gain control over the remote power supply socket assigned to the user's data module. Finally, this allows the data center user to remotely control the power supply socket assigned to the user's data module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Liebert Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory W. Ratcliff, Philip R. Aldag
  • Patent number: 8450875
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling at least one electrical load may include at least one pushbutton; a communications interface for communicating with the loads, the loads being switched on and off by the at least one pushbutton via the communications interface; and a first controlled switch with control logic, said switch being connected between the loads and a power supply, and the first controlled switch isolates the power supply from the loads as soon as all of the loads have been disconnected via the communications interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: OSRAM Gesellschaft mit beschraenkter Haftung
    Inventors: Thomas Rossmanith, Maximilian Schmidl
  • Publication number: 20130119762
    Abstract: Disclosed are a full bridge inverter and method for controlling same. The full bridge converter according to the present invention comprises: a plurality of first switches connected at one end thereof to a positive terminal for a direct current (DC) input voltage; a plurality of second switches connected at one end thereof to a negative terminal for a DC input voltage; and a plurality of loads connected at connection terminals formed by one-on-one connections of the opposite ends of each first switch to the opposite ends of each second switch. Thus, in cases requiring the selective application of voltages converted from DC to AC to the plurality of loads, the number of semiconductor devices can be minimized to reduce costs, and a reduction in load current can be prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventors: Seong Jeub Jeon, Dong Ho Cho, Chun Taek Rim, Gu Ho Jeong
  • Patent number: 8432063
    Abstract: A method of operating a power controller includes assigning switching offset times to a plurality of channels of a multi-channel power controller, and adjusting a state change time of a selected channel by the switching offset time associated with the selected channel such that the selected channel and another of the plurality of channels multiple channels do not undergo the state change simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Enocean GmbH
    Inventors: Jian Xu, James Allen Buslepp
  • Publication number: 20130099570
    Abstract: A device including a pipeline having a number of groups of pipeline stages. Each group has at least one pipeline stage, a gated power supply power net or a gated ground power net, the gated power supply power net and the gated ground power net having components that allow gating power supply and ground to that group of pipeline stages. The device also has a number of control components, each control component controlling the gating of power supply or ground. Each group of pipeline stages controls the gating of power supply and ground of a subsequent group of pipeline stages. Each one group of pipeline stages being selected such that a forward propagation delay from a preceding group of pipeline stages to that one group is at least equal to a time required for activating gated power supply or ground in that one group. Methods of implementation are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Rajit Manohar, Carlos Otero, Jonathan Tse
  • Patent number: 8423194
    Abstract: A household energy management system is provided comprising a controller for managing power consumption of multiple devices within a household wherein the controller monitors energy usage data from a utility. The system further provides a utility meter for measuring an amount of energy usage by the household and a user interface through which a user can enter a parameter of the energy usage. The system yet further provides a local generator for generating energy for one or more of the energy consuming devices wherein the controller initiates the generator and changes at least some of the energy usage from the utility to the local generator when the energy usage level is within a predetermined percentage range of the parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John K. Besore, Timothy Dale Worthington, Michael F. Finch, Jeff Donald Drake, Nagaraju Valluri
  • Patent number: 8421268
    Abstract: A communication device for use with a power distribution module. The communication device allows multiple different DMX universes to be handled over the same cable that also handles power distribution. A front of house module is provided for powering consoles and receiving DMX inputs from the consoles. Two different consoles can be powered and provide their inputs, and either console can be used to control any or all of the universes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Production Resource Group LLC
    Inventors: Charles Reese, Rusty Brutsche, James Bornhorst
  • Patent number: 8415832
    Abstract: This invention generally relates to cable compensation, and is particularly applicable to cable compensation for an AC-DC voltage converter. In one embodiment, a cable compensation apparatus for compensating voltage drop of a cable connected between an electrical power supply and an electrical device comprises: a first capacitor; a timer circuit to time a predetermined time period; a current source to supply to said first capacitor during substantially said predetermined time period a first current substantially proportional to an output current outputted by the power supply to the cable; and a control circuit to adjust an output voltage outputted by said power supply to said cable dependent on a voltage on said first capacitor. The compensation in some embodiments is programmable by means of a discrete capacitor component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Cambridge Semiconductor Limited
    Inventors: David Robert Coulson, David Michael Garner, Johan Piper
  • Publication number: 20130082525
    Abstract: A shared power system includes a power router; a plurality of power input devices respectively connected to the power router; a first diode coupled between the power router and an output; a second diode coupled between a DC grid and the output; wherein the power router can provide power to the output by conducting the first diode when voltage of the power router is higher than the DC grid, and the DC grid can provide power to the output by conducting the second diode when voltage of the DC grid is higher than the power router. The power router can further determine the energy ratio between each power input device to achiever the energy-sharing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: GCCA INC.
    Inventor: Hsing Chung SZU
  • Publication number: 20130076523
    Abstract: A personal monitoring and communication system includes a monitoring and communication control device, at least one personal monitoring communication device coupled with a person and a personal monitoring communication device finder. The personal monitoring communication device includes a GPS receiver, cellular telephone circuits, and short-range wireless radio circuits for communicating with caregivers. The personal monitoring communication device finder receives an emergency beacon generated by one personal monitoring communication device and determines a location of the personal monitoring communication device. A dead reckoning circuit determines the position of the person from a reference location. A motion detection circuit determines that the person is moving, not moving, or has fallen. A battery power management circuit minimizes power consumption to increase battery life of a battery powering the personal monitoring communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventors: Dennis Kwan, Suresh Singamsetty, Jeffrey Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20130033106
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for providing power onto multiple power distribution paths. Power controller devices receive power from a power source device and are coupled to first and second multiplexer units. The multiplexer units receive power from the power source devices via the power controller devices for first and second power distribution paths. A multiplexer control unit controls the multiplexer units to output power from the first power distribution path, the second power distribution path or both of the paths. Power subsystems are provided comprising first and second power transistor units. The first transistor unit receives power from the first multiplexer unit over the first path and the second transistor unit receives power from the second multiplexer unit over the second path. Ports are provided and are coupled to a powered device. The multiplexer control unit controls the multiplexer units to supply power to the respective ports according to the type of powered device detected at a port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Frederick Roland Schindler, Koussalya Balasubramanian, Kamran Torabi
  • Publication number: 20130033107
    Abstract: A system for supply of power source currents, the system includes: a power source input terminal configured to be supplied with a power source current; a plurality of power source output terminals, coupled to the power source input terminal in parallel, configured to output a power source current; a protecting circuit configured to protect a supply of a excessive power source current to the power source input terminal; a plurality of data signal terminals each corresponding to one of the plurality of power source output terminals; and a connector coupled to at least one pair of one of the plurality of power source output terminals and one of the plurality of data signal terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Miki NAKAGAI, Toshihiro MIYAMOTO, Norio NAGAHAMA
  • Patent number: 8358500
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer having a standby power cutoff function for a peripheral device which can prevent a power loss by completely cutting off a standby current of a computer and a standby current of peripheral devices by cutting off a power supply to peripheral devices and a power supply unit when a computer is off. The power operation detection unit controls a power supply to the power supply unit by controlling the power cutoff switch unit by detecting an operation signal inputted from the power switch into the main board and for delaying and inputting an operation signal inputted from the power switch into the main board. The power loss due to a standby power can be prevented by cutting off a power supply to the computer and peripheral devices when a computer is off, with the help of a power cutoff switch unit which cuts off a power supply to the peripheral devices and the power supply by means of the power operation detection unit which detects an operation of the power switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Moneual Inc.
    Inventor: Myung Moon
  • Publication number: 20130015706
    Abstract: An electric outlet power control device includes an electric outlet strip having female receptacles for providing electricity to a host computer and computer peripheral apparatuses, and a control module having a sensor for sensing the current signal of the host computer and an electric switch member controllable by the sensor to cut off power supply from all the female receptacles when the host computer is off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: SEVENTEAM ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chi-Ming Chien
  • Patent number: 8356191
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for determining resistive power loss through a channel between Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) and a Powered Device (PD). The method includes (1) receiving indication that a PSE signal measurement is available from the PSE or a PD signal measurement is available from the PD, (2) selecting, as an input parameter to a processing operation, at least one of the PSE signal measurement or the PD signal measurement, (3) performing the processing operation to calculate a resistance value indicative of the resistive power loss through the channel between the PSE and PD based on the input parameter, and (4) outputting the resistive power loss value as a result of carrying out the processing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick R. Schindler
  • Publication number: 20130009471
    Abstract: The method is for operating a remotely-controlled switching device of an energy management system. The switching device is mounted in series on a local electrically powered circuit on which are also mounted in series a load and an electronic thermostat. The method includes generating a first pulsed signal for controlling the switching device, the switching device opening and closing the circuit in response to the first signal. The circuit is opened to prevent the load from operating and is closed when operation of the load is allowed. The method includes generating a second pulsed signal for controlling the switching device at least when the circuit is opened by the switching device in response to the first signal. The second signal causes the switching device to temporarily close the opened circuit at given intervals for keeping an internal circuitry of the thermostat energized while still substantially preventing the load from operating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: TECHNOLOGIE DEMTROYS INC.
    Inventors: Jean-Denis HATIER, Reginald PAQUIN
  • Patent number: 8350406
    Abstract: An electrical power distribution system automatically limits the number of substantially similar or identical power cable assemblies that are electrically energizable from a power source. A control unit is connected between the power source and the power cable assemblies, and limits the number of power cable assemblies that can be energized in the system by sensing the voltage in a sensing circuit. An applied voltage in the sensing circuit changes in a predictable manner corresponding to the number of power cable assemblies that are electrically connected in the circuit. Each power cable assembly includes an impedance element that is added to the sensing circuit when the corresponding power cable assembly is coupled to the system, and once the detected voltage is beyond a predetermined threshold value, the control unit will ensure that the power cable assemblies are not energized by the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Timothy J. Warwick, Shawn R. Gibson
  • Publication number: 20130002019
    Abstract: Circuit, method for operating a circuit, and use, having a voltage regulator, which has a regulator output for providing a supply voltage, which for the supply can be connected to at least one first digital subcircuit via a first switch and to a second digital subcircuit via a second switch, wherein the voltage regulator is formed to output a first status signal dependent on the supply voltage, and to turn on the first switch by the first status signal is connected to a first control input of the first switch, and the first switch is formed to output a second status signal dependent on its switching state, and to turn on the second switch by the second status signal is connected to a second control input of the second switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Lutz Dathe, Henry Drescher, Thomas Hanusch
  • Patent number: 8344543
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: mPhase Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred Allen, Steve D. Simon, Victor A. Lifton, Ronald Durando
  • Patent number: 8338983
    Abstract: A method of operating an alternating current (AC) power distribution assembly (PDA), where the ACPDA includes a plurality of AC power distribution modules, each connected to a respective AC load includes turning a first switch off and turning a second switch on in each of the AC power distribution modules; starting up each of the respective AC loads; monitoring a load current in the ACPDA and obtaining an acceptable load current in the ACPDA; determining if a set of motor sensor parameters for the ACPDA are within predetermined limits, and, in the event the motor sensor parameters are within the predetermined limits, determining if a startup period has elapsed; and in the event the startup period has elapsed, turning the first switch on and turning the second switch off in each of the AC power distribution modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory I. Rozman, Said M. Waleed
  • Publication number: 20120319480
    Abstract: A method of optimizing power loads of a power strip is disclosed. The power strip includes single or three phase power input, a plurality of circuit breakers, and a plurality of outlets, with at least one circuit breaker being associated with at least one outlet. The method includes: obtaining real-time current measurements for each phase of the single or three phase power input of the power strip; obtaining real-time current measurements for each circuit breaker of the plurality of circuit breakers of the power strip; logging the real-time current measurements for each phase of the single or three phase power input and for each circuit breaker of the plurality of circuit breakers; and analyzing the real-time current measurements of the single or three phase power input and the plurality of circuit breakers to determine a preferential order of outlets in which to apply a new load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael Jansma
  • Patent number: 8334615
    Abstract: A system for supplying electric power from a main power grid to a plurality of ships moored at a respective berth of a quay. The system includes a connection point for connecting to the grid supplying electrical power at a first frequency, a frequency converter arrangement for converting electric power from the grid at the first frequency to electric power at a second frequency, a first connector, arranged to provide power from the grid at the first frequency, a second connector, arranged to provide power at the second frequency from the frequency converter arrangement, a plurality of switches, each switch being configured to supply of power from either of the two connector to a respective berth, the system further includes a plurality of ship connection arrangements connected to a respective switch, each ship connection arrangement being adapted for connection to an electric system of a ship. A corresponding arrangement and method are also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Ambra Sannino, Georgios Demetriades, Lars Hultqvist, Ola Norén
  • Patent number: 8335574
    Abstract: A device for controlling power comprising a power source input, at least one power contact or outlet, a power control relay, a digital signal input port and a digital signal detector. The device controls power from the power source input to the at least one power contact or outlet by operation of the power control relay. The power control relay opens or closes based on the presence of a digital signal or lack thereof. The detection of the presence of the digital signal or the lack thereof is accomplished by the digital signal detector electrically coupled to the digital signal input port. Detection of a digital signal may be accomplished by using one or more Ethernet signal detectors capable of detecting data transmission or the presence of PoE. Additionally, a method is taught to control power to power consuming devices by using the aforementioned device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Inventor: Andy Middlemiss
  • Patent number: 8330292
    Abstract: A power supply with an integrated power system has a common transformer. After the power supply receives input power, the common transformer generates an induction power at the secondary side. The power supply further includes a standby power system receiving the induction power and outputting a standby power, an actuation switch with one end electrically bridging the common transformer and the standby power system, a primary power system connecting to the other end of the actuation switch, and a power management unit receives the standby power to be activated. The standby power system modulates and transforms the induction power to the standby power to start operation of the power management unit. Users can trigger the power management unit to output an enabling signal to conduct the actuation switch to be ON so that the primary power system can receive the induction power and transform to output the primary output power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Zippy Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Yi-Hua Wang, Yu-Yuan Chang
  • Patent number: 8319375
    Abstract: A power supply system is disclosed, including a first plurality of power supply units configured to supply working voltages from a battery to a second plurality of loads, a large-capacitance capacitor configured to charge electric charges from the battery, a third plurality of switching means for connecting the large-capacitance capacitor to the second plurality of loads selectively, control means for switching the third plurality of switching means corresponding to the load presently driven, and discharge means, in a case where the output voltage of the large-capacitance capacitor is higher than the operating voltage of the second load when the capacitor is switched from a first load to a second load, for discharging the charges stored in the capacitor according to the monitoring result by a voltage monitoring means so that the voltage of the capacitor decreases to the operating voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Mobile Communications Japan, Inc.
    Inventor: Hirotada Taniuchi
  • Publication number: 20120291895
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a diesel exhaust treatment device including a catalytic converter positioned upstream from a diesel particulate filter. An electric heater is positioned between the catalytic converter and the diesel particulate filter. A shore station can be used to provide power and combustion air to the diesel exhaust treatment device during regeneration of the diesel particulate filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne M. Wagner, John T. Herman, Mary J. Lorenzen, Wenzhong Zhang
  • Patent number: 8310092
    Abstract: Disclosed is an outdoor electrical power receptacle, comprising a main body, a mounting member, and an extension power cord, wherein an upper end of the mounting member couples to the main body. The extension power cord, couples to each of controllable power outlets disposed on the main body and extended out of the main body for connecting to an external power source. Herein, the main body further includes a power switching module, a wireless transceiver, and a microprocessor. The power switching module couples to each controllable power outlet. The wireless transceiver receives a control signal. The microprocessor coupled to the wireless transceiver and the power switching module, drives the power switching module so as to control each of the controllable power outlets to be conducted in response to the control signal. A control system of the outdoor electrical power receptacle according to the present invention is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Powertech Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Lung Lee, Jung-Hui Hsu
  • Patent number: 8306639
    Abstract: A networked device is disclosed comprising means for controlling a state of the networked device, means for connecting to a network, means for allowing a user to select a color from a plurality of colors, the plurality of colors having at least one locking color and one or more non-locking colors, and means for generating a selected color code corresponding to the color selected by the user, each color of the plurality of colors having a corresponding color code. The networked device submits the selected color code over the network for use by the network controller in configuring the device and changes the state of the networked device in response to a command from the network only if the color selected by the user is one of the one or more non-locking colors. In some embodiments the networked device also responds to requests for status information from the network independent of the color selected by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Greenwave Reality, Pte, Ltd.
    Inventors: William Diehl, Sonny Windstrup, Karl Jonsson
  • Patent number: 8299656
    Abstract: A refrigerator module connection system for connecting a feature module to a utility source and transferring a plurality of utilities between the feature module and the utility source. The feature module connection system includes a utility source that has a connection capable of removably engaging the feature module to the utility source. Also included is at least one feature module that independently supplies one or more functionalities. Further included is an interface between the utility source and the feature module, where the interface includes a detection and recognition device, such as a reed switch, a DIP switch, or a comparator circuit, that operates to detect when the feature module is connected to the utility source. One or more predetermined utilities are transferred between the utility source and the feature module based upon which feature module is connected to the utility source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Robert Ryan Bradley, James W. Kendall, Steven J. Kuehl, Douglas D. LeClear, Alan S. Lucas, Andrew M. Tenbarge, John J. Vonderhaar, Guolian Wu
  • Patent number: 8292657
    Abstract: The portable electrical power box includes a power extension cord connected to a 240-volt input plug. Via the input plug, the device plugs into a 240-volt outlet in a home or other location where split phase power is available. Two branch circuits comprise 120-volt receptacles disposed on the power box. The power extension cord has a neutral wire, a first split voltage wire, and a second split voltage wire. The neutral and first split voltage wire feed voltage to the first branch circuit of receptacles. The neutral and second split voltage wire feed voltage to the second branch circuit of receptacles. This arrangement minimizes overloading electrical panels in homes with extension cords in the home's 120-VAC outlets. The device has circuit breakers to prevent overloads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Inventor: Jagdeo Singh
  • Patent number: 8288888
    Abstract: A method for controlling the distribution of electric power from a wind farm to a plurality of hydrogen producing electrolysers. The method includes estimating available DC power from the wind farm, which is controlled independently from the hydrogen producing electrolysers. A target current set point is determined for each electrolyser based on the estimated available DC power, the number of available electrolysers, and the voltage of each electrolyser. DC current supplied by at least one DC-DC power converter to each electrolyser is controlled to bring the DC current to the target current set point. The method is periodically repeated to compensate for changes in the DC power available from the wind farm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Next Hydrogen Corporation
    Inventors: Jim Hinatsu, Michael Stemp, William Stewart
  • Publication number: 20120256486
    Abstract: An electronic device comprises a solar cell a main body which includes a display unit, a battery, and a processing unit and a power controller which connects the solar cell and the main body and controls the electronic device so that power generated from the solar cell is stored in the battery or used in the main body depending on a state of the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Ho CHOI, Myoung-Chul KIM, Seung Hwan MOON, Byoung Jun LEE, Yun-Jae KIM, Kyung-Uk CHOI, Nam-Hee GOO, Bo-Ram KIM
  • Publication number: 20120235590
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for addressing power to at least a selected load from a plurality of loads, in particular light sources in solid state lighting applications, such as decorative indoor and outdoor illumination for buildings or cars, by timing a power signal such as to power a selected load when said common timed power signal is switched to said load under control of a delayed clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventor: ALWIN ROGIER MARTIJN VERSCHUEREN
  • Publication number: 20120228937
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for controlling power modes in electronic devices are provided. A system may include an electronic device and an input device that sends power mode selection information via a network to a power mode selection receiving component in the electronic device. The electronic device includes a first power component that powers a first component, and a switching component that controls the first power component. The electronic device may include a second power component that powers a second component. The switching component may control the second power component. The power mode selection receiving component and the switching component may be powered independently of the first and the second component. If the power mode selection information indicates an off mode, the electronic device may provide power to the power mode selection receiving component and the switching component and not to the first and the second component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Deepak Massand, Rajan Jetley
  • Publication number: 20120212055
    Abstract: A system and method of synchronization protocol for fire alarm strobe systems which has the ability to synchronize the strobe light devices from different manufactures simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Karl Eiden, Glenn Wontorcik, Jeff Hendrickson