Condition Responsive Patents (Class 307/39)
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Patent number: 9841203Abstract: A controller for use in a climate control system includes a power stealing circuit connectible with a control of the climate control system and configured for stealing power via a signal from a power source through the control. An overcurrent limiting circuit is configured to limit a first portion of the signal to prevent a false call for operation of the control. The overcurrent limiting circuit is further configured not to limit a second portion of the signal to prevent a false call, where the control is configured to recognize only the first portion as determinative of whether the signal is a call for operation.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2014Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.Inventor: Harshal Manik Pawar
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Patent number: 9778988Abstract: A power failure monitoring system and a method are disclosed herein, where the power failure monitoring system includes a motherboard, a board, a complex programmable logic device (CPLD) and a baseboard management controller (BMC) module. The motherboard includes a central processing unit (CPU) power and a non-CPU power. The board includes a board power. The BMC module includes a register that is electrically coupled to the CPLD. The CPLD is configured to execute a shutdown process when power failure occurs, identify a power failure type, and determine whether to execute a restart process according to the power failure type. If the restart process is executed and a count of the restart process reaches a predetermined count, the CPLD records lock information in the register. The BMC module is configured to record the count of the restart process, and execute a lock process according to the lock information.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignees: Inventec (Pudong) Technology Corporation, INVENTEC CORPORATIONInventors: Jian-Xin Huang, Ying-Xian Han
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Patent number: 9751412Abstract: A cable installment type charging control device for charging an electric vehicle (EV) by using power of a grid-side is provided. The cable installment type charging control device includes a first relay delivering power of the grid-side to an EV-side, a second relay delivering power of the grid-side to the EV-side, a first sub fusion detecting unit for detecting whether the first relay is fused through an-EV side terminal of the first relay and a grid-side terminal of the second relay, and a second sub fusion detecting unit for detecting whether the second relay is fused through an-EV side terminal of the second relay and a grid-side terminal of the first relay.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.Inventor: Chang Jun Im
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Patent number: 9740226Abstract: A method and apparatus to balance adapter power supply and computing device power demand. In one embodiment, power to/from battery pack(s) maybe controlled by adjusting the output voltage of the power adapter via the current input to the power adapter through a feedback pin to meet power demand of electrical loads. Another embodiment provides a way to adjust the activities of the electrical loads such that neither adapter power rating nor the electrical load power limit is exceeded while avoiding system shutdown.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2014Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Peter T. Li, Don J. Nguyen
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Patent number: 9703345Abstract: A power management method and associated electronic device are provided. The electronic device includes a power management circuit and a control circuit. The control circuit is powered by a power path. The power management method includes detecting whether the control circuit is powered, forwarding a control authority of the power path to the control circuit when the control circuit is powered, and forwarding the control authority to the power management circuit when the control circuit is not powered.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2013Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: MSTAR SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.Inventor: Tien-Hua Yu
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Patent number: 9651956Abstract: An apparatus for supplying power in a mobile terminal is provided. The apparatus includes a battery, a power management integration circuit including a buck-boost converter for converting a battery voltage to output a specific voltage, and a plurality of regulators for regulating the specific voltage output from the buck-boost converter to voltages of respective corresponding constituent elements and for outputting the regulated voltages, the buck-boost converter operating in a buck mode when the battery voltage is greater than the specific voltage, and the buck-boost converter operating in a boost mode when the battery voltage is less than the specific voltage, such that the constituent elements include a controller for controlling an operation of the mobile terminal, a touch panel for generating an input and for providing the generated input signal to the controller, and a display unit for displaying an operation of the mobile terminal under control of the controller.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2013Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chulwoo Park, Kwangsub Lee, Chuleun Yun, Seyoung Jang, Kuchul Jung, Yunhui Han
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Patent number: 9631829Abstract: An air conditioner capable of achieving both user comfort and power reduction is provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2012Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventor: Takashi Kaneko
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Patent number: 9620991Abstract: A power stealing circuit for stealing power to operate a control device is disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, power may be periodically or intermittently diverted from a power source to a power stealing block. When power is diverted to the power stealing block, the power stealing block may steal power from the power source and store the stolen power on a storage device. The storage device may then provide operating power to a control device. In some embodiments, the power stealing block may include a first path for charging the storage device when a switch is ON, and a second path for charging the storage device when the switch is off. The switch may be switched OFF when, for example, when the voltage provided by the rectifier is greater than a threshold voltage, the voltage detected on the storage device is greater than a threshold value, and/or when a control signal from a controller disables the switch.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2015Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Pierre Simard, Benoit Meilleur, Daniel Tousignant
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Patent number: 9594107Abstract: An electric meter contact arc detector is mountable to an electric meter base and may comprise: a de-tuned resonant tank circuit configured to receive a magnetic field and/or an electric field from an electrical arc at a stab contact; an electrical detector detecting signals generated in the de-tuned resonant tank circuit responsive to the electrical arc at the stab contact; and an output device indicating detection of an electrical arc. A disconnect device responsive to the electrical detector and configured to interrupt an electrical connection to the stab contact, may be provided. An electrical arc at the stab contact may thus be detected and may cause an electrical connection to the stab contact to be interrupted.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2016Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: Advent Design CorporationInventors: Thomas Alan Lawton, Ralph Nicolas Amato, Richard Hughes Hewitt
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Patent number: 9577472Abstract: Disclosed herein is a power management apparatus including: a power-demand forecasting section configured to forecast a power demand made by an electric-power demander at a future time; a power measurement section configured to acquire a power consumption of the electric-power demander for the time; a demand control section configured to determine a demand for urging the electric-power demander to adjust the amount of electric power consumed by the electric-power demander on the basis of the power demand forecasted by the power-demand forecasting section and the power consumption acquired by the power measurement section; and a demand issuance section configured to issue the demand determined by the demand control section to the electric-power demander.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2012Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Junko Saito, Taro Tadano, Ryoki Honjo
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Patent number: 9519301Abstract: Disclosed herein are a variety of systems and methods for management of an electric power generation and distribution system. According to various embodiments, a system consistent with the present disclosure may be configured to analyze a data set comprising a plurality of generator performance characteristics of a generator at a plurality of operating conditions. The performance characteristics may be used to produce a generator capability model. The generator capability model may comprise a mathematical representation approximating the generator performance characteristics at the plurality of operating conditions. The system may further produce an estimated generator capacity at a modeled condition that is distinct from the generator performance characteristics of the data set and is based upon the generator capability model and may implement a control action based on the estimated generator capacity at the modeled condition.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2014Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Jedidiah W. Bartlett, William F. Allen
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Patent number: 9509144Abstract: A configurable power distribution system is provided and includes a power input from a power source, a power output device having a first power connection and a second power connection, a voltage monitoring device and a plurality of relay devices connected with the voltage monitoring device and the power output device. It should be appreciated that the plurality of relay devices are configurably responsive to the voltage monitoring device, and the power output device is connected to the plurality of relays such that the power at the first power connection and second power connection is responsive to the configuration of plurality of relay devices.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2012Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: LEX PRODUCTSInventor: Tyrone Joseph Mellon, Jr.
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Patent number: 9509219Abstract: A power supply system includes: a switching power supply for converting an AC voltage from an AC power supply into a DC voltage; a latching relay provided on an AC input line for switching a connection state of the switching power supply with the AC power supply in response to a relay drive signal; a control device for generating a relay control signal; a relay drive circuit for generating the relay drive signal in response to an input of the relay control signal and driving the latching relay by the relay drive signal; a battery for supplying electric power to the control device and the relay drive circuit when they are connected; and a switch for switching the connection state of the battery with respect to the control device and the relay drive circuit.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2014Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Katsumi Inukai, Hiroyuki Naganawa
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Patent number: 9478986Abstract: A load leveling system and a method for a power system are capable of attaining load leveling in a distribution substation unit. The load leveling system is for a power system with a controller having a major customer and lower transforming apparatus, and with a customer connected to the lower transforming apparatus via a low-voltage line. The system also has a communication unit between the customer and its own system, and control use time zones of devices within the customer, as well as an electric demand prediction unit, and a first load leveling processing unit. By employing such a system, it becomes possible to provide a load leveling system for a power system that is capable of realizing load leveling of both a distribution substation unit and a pole transformer unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2012Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc.Inventors: Hirotaka Takahashi, Yasushi Tomita, Takashi Oda, Eri Isozaki, Tsukasa Onishi, Kazuhiro Horikoshi, Katsuhiro Matsuda
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Patent number: 9461472Abstract: A method and system for controlling electrical power in a micro-grid, especially during islanding when the micro-grid is disconnected from a main grid is described. A potential load shedding for islanding is determined when the micro grid is connected to the main grid. The potential load shedding is performed when a grid switch that connects the micro-grid to a main grid opens. A frequency based load shedding and a frequency based control of power injections to the micro grid may also be performed. The frequency based load shedding is performed with a faster response than the power injection control during islanding. The frequency based power injection control is performed with a faster response than the frequency based load shedding when the micro grid is connected to the main grid. A load shedding controller, an energy storage controller and methods performed by the load shedding controller, and the energy storage controller, respectively, is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2013Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: ABB TECHNOLOGY LtdInventor: Ritwik Majumder
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Patent number: 9405303Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of apparatus, systems and methods for power stealing for a wireless-enabled thermostat. In an exemplary embodiment, a wireless-enabled thermostat generally includes a control having a wireless network interface that intermittently connects the thermostat in a wireless network in accordance with a duty cycle, the duty cycle having a connect time in which the thermostat is connected in the wireless network and a sleep time in which the thermostat is not connected in the wireless network. A power stealing circuit of the thermostat steals power through an “on-mode” load of a climate control system to charge a capacitor or other energy storage device to provide the power for the wireless network interface. The control adjusts at least the sleep time in accordance with a time for charging the capacitor or other energy storage device to a threshold voltage.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2013Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.Inventors: Bradley C. Zikes, William P. Butler, David L. Perry
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Patent number: 9381923Abstract: An in-vehicle load control system configured to controllably drive one or more loads on a vehicle according to an input signal. The system includes a first electronic control portion configured to perform signal processing based on the input signal, and a second electronic control portion configured to controllably drive the load. A backup signal channel is provided independently of a signal channel through which a signal is transmitted in a multiplex communication portion to input the input signal to the second electronic control portion. The second electronic control portion receives a first control signal via the signal channel in the multiplex communication portion and a second control signal via the backup signal channel, and controllably drives the load by preferentially treating the first control signal when the ignition signal is on and by preferentially treating the second control signal when the ignition signal is off.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2014Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATIONInventors: Masashi Suzuki, Masato Oota, Kazuya Suehiro
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Patent number: 9263891Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system to reduce losses of energy due to ripples, especially at the power grid, the ripples being short term power shortages or excess power. The method is based on the idea of shutting off energy consuming devices during a period of power shortage, if their operation is not necessary, and optionally to turn on such energy consuming devices during periods of excess power, if energy may be stored in them, especially when energy may be stored as some physical parameter or variable, being a part of the operation of the energy consuming devices, such as the temperature of a freezer.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2009Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Danfoss A/SInventors: Helge Vandel Jensen, Claus Thybo, Leo Bram, Ejner Kobberoe
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Patent number: 9203240Abstract: A power control method includes: receiving a plurality of power use request information associated with a plurality of electrical devices, calculating a power consumption of the plurality of the electrical devices and an average value of the power consumption in a predetermined time period, based on the plurality of the power use request information, comparing the average value and the calculated power consumption in the predetermined time period to determine at least one scheduling interval in which the calculated power consumption is greater than the average value, and performing a scheduling in which a maximum power use time of at least one electrical device included in the at least one determined scheduling interval is moved to another interval The power use request information may be one from among time information and power consumption information corresponding to the operation of each of the plurality of the electrical devices.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2012Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: KT CorporationInventors: Young-Ho Bae, Weon-Yong Joo
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Patent number: 9196142Abstract: A method for managing consumption of heterogeneous resources includes: receiving resource consumption information of a target; calculating a total energy consumption value that is associated with the target based on the resource consumption information of the target; generating a high consumption alert when the calculated total energy consumption value is higher than a first predetermined threshold value; and generating a low consumption alert when the calculated total energy consumption value is not higher than a second predetermined threshold value that is lower than the first predetermined threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2013Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: NATIONAL TAIWAN NORMAL UNIVERSITYInventors: Jon-Chao Hong, Yi-Hsuan Hung
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Patent number: 9071145Abstract: A power stealing circuit for stealing power to operate a control device is disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, power may be periodically or intermittently diverted from a power source to a power stealing block. When power is diverted to the power stealing block, the power stealing block may steal power from the power source and store the stolen power on a storage device. The storage device may then provide operating power to a control device. In some embodiments, the power stealing block may include a first path for charging the storage device when a switch is ON, and a second path for charging the storage device when the switch is off.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2011Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Pierre Simard, Benoit Meilleur, Daniel Tousignant
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Publication number: 20150145335Abstract: A home appliance can operate in a future time frame. Information is obtained from a power distributor in order to determine a time when to operate the home appliance in this future time frame. The home appliance then operates at the time determined with information from the power distributor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2015Publication date: May 28, 2015Inventors: Philip Scott Lyren, William James Lyren, William Christopher Lyren
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Patent number: 9041247Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed to apparatus and methods for controlling power distribution to a plurality of devices including a primary device and at least one secondary device, the primary device having at least a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, with the second mode of operation being a lower power mode of operation than the first mode of operation.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2011Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IT CORPORATIONInventors: Marlon Galsim, Jinsong Lee, Ray Shen, Xuetao Liu
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Patent number: 9024472Abstract: A power strip having two or more outlets include a sequence control module operable to sequentially activate and/or deactivate the outlets, thereby powering up or powering down each outlet separately. A pre-determined time delay, that can be set by a user, occurs between the activation and/or deactivation of the outlets. The power strip can include an off/off switch, and a foot switch operable to start the activation and/or deactivation. The foot switch can affix an electrical substrate, to which the sequence control module is attached, to the housing of the power strip.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2011Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Inventor: Kimball P. Magee, Jr.
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Publication number: 20150109132Abstract: A device management system includes a bus bar, a device management module, and a remote management module. The device management module includes at least one remotely-controllable switching circuit and a detecting circuit. When a device is installed in the rack cabinet, the remotely-controllable switching circuit connected with the device is enabled by the detecting circuit. The remote management module is in communication with the remotely-controllable switching circuit and the detecting circuit through the bus bar. The information of the device is acquired by the remote management module through the remotely-controllable switching circuit. A switch element of the remotely-controllable switching circuit which is connected to the device is selectively turned on or turned off by the remote management module. When the switch element is turned on, the DC power is transmitted to the device through the switch element.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2013Publication date: April 23, 2015Applicant: Delta Electronics, Inc.Inventors: CHIEN-LUNG WU, WEN-HSIANG LIN
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Patent number: 9013060Abstract: A system and method for measuring, monitoring and controlling electrical power directed through one or more electricity directing devices is provided. The one or more electricity directing devices includes electrical sockets supplying power to one or more devices. The system includes a potential transformer configured to receive AC voltage directed through a socket and further configured to relay the voltage to a processing device. The system further includes a current sensor configured to sense current drawn from the socket and further configured to relay the current to the processing device. A microcontroller is adapted to receive analog or digital values of voltage and current corresponding to AC voltage and AC current. The microcontroller then measures values of voltage and current, calculate electrical power consumed and generate a control signal. The control signal activates a switching device operationally connected to the socket and switches power flow through the socket.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2010Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Infosys LimitedInventors: Siva Prasad Katru, Kumar Padmanabh, Sanjoy Paul
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Patent number: 9006926Abstract: An electrical system having a plurality of devices is supplied with power by a common power supply line. One of the devices has a circuit that slows or delays device startup or activation in response to a signal indicative of power demand, draw or use by another of the plurality of devices supplied with power by the common power supply line.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2011Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Elwha LLCInventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
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Patent number: 9006934Abstract: A power feeding apparatus, power receiving apparatus, wireless power feeding system, and method for wireless transfer of power are provided. The power feeding apparatus includes an impedance detector, a controller, a power transmitter, a variable matching circuit, and a signal transmitter. The controller is configured to provide first control information and second control information based on an impedance detected by the impedance detector. The power feeding apparatus' variable matching circuit is configured to change a variable diameter of a power feeding coil according to the first control information. The power receiving apparatus includes a power receiver, a signal receiver, and a variable matching circuit. The power receiving apparatus'variable matching circuit is configured to change a variable diameter of a power feeding coil according to the second control information provided by the power feeding apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2011Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Osamu Kozakai, Takashi Miyamoto, Yuji Murayama
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Patent number: 9000921Abstract: A power strip may automatically disconnect wired connections in response to received weather alert data based on a configuration file including one or more user preference settings. The power strip may include a receiver to receive the weather alert data. The power strip may process the received weather alert data and disconnect the wired connections based on the one or more user preference settings. A timer function may also define a time period that the power strip monitors its receiver for weather alert data and automatically disconnects and reconnects the wired connections.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2013Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance CompanyInventor: Jackie O. Jordan, II
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Patent number: 8994230Abstract: An electrical circuit for bi-directional power control between two devices, including a mobile communication card, an electronic device that connects to the communication card, the electronic device being either (i) a host device that operates independently of the communication card and also interoperates with the communication card, or (ii) a jacket for the communication card, wherein the jacket is a passive device that does not operate independently of the communication card, and circuitry connecting the mobile communication card with the electronic device, including a device on/off button operative to power the electronic device on and off, and a switch, wherein the circuitry uses a single connection line connecting the communication card, the electronic device, the device on/off button, and the switch, to enable the electronic device to automatically power the communication card on and off using the switch, in response to the electronic device being respectively powered on and off.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2011Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Itay Sherman, Eran Miller
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Publication number: 20150076908Abstract: A mechanism is provided for an integrated circuit with power gating. A power header switch is configured to connect and disconnect any circuits to a common voltage source. A powered off circuit is disconnected from the common voltage source. A first capacitor and a second capacitor are configured to supply wakeup electrical charge to a given circuit of the circuits. The first capacitor and the second capacitor are connectable to the given circuit and the powered off circuit. A controller is configured to controllably connect the first capacitor and/or the second capacitor to the given circuit in order to supply the wakeup electrical charge to the given circuit, when the powered off circuit was previously connected to the first capacitor and/or the second capacitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Pradip Bose, Alper Buyuktosunoglu, Hans Jacobson, Victor Zyuban
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Patent number: 8981594Abstract: An advance power-saving power socket for power saving systems includes a socket body which includes an extension cord and has a master socket and at least one slave socket, wherein the slave sockets are connected in parallel with each other at first, and then connected in series with a slave socket temperature sensitive switch and linked with both ends of the power input end on the slave socket control loop. So the master socket is connected in series with the parallel-connected master socket temperature sensitive switch and first heater, and then connected in parallel with the power input end, so as to use the working temperature produced by the current flowing through the first heater of the master socket control loop for controlling over the closed or open state of the slave socket control loop and shunt the current of the master socket control loop.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Global Win Technology Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shih-Jen Lin
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Patent number: 8970063Abstract: An arrangement which includes two or more energy storage units for electrical energy connected in series, and two or more balancing resistor units. Each balancing resistor unit is connected in parallel with one of the energy storage units. The arrangement also includes means for determining a voltage over all of the series-connected energy storage units and means for determining the energy storage unit voltages between poles of the energy storage units. One or more of the balancing resistor units include a base resistor unit and a control resistor unit connected in series and a switching device connected in parallel with the control resistor units.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2011Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: ABB OyInventor: Ora Veli-Matti Leppänen
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Publication number: 20150035365Abstract: Power over Ethernet (PoE) communication systems, control circuits and methods are presented for controlling power delivered to a powered device through a communication cable, in which a power sourcing equipment measures a supply voltage and selectively discontinues provision of power from a power source in response to a measured supply current exceeding an adaptive limit signal representing a supply current level corresponding to a predetermined safe operating power level at the measured supply voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2014Publication date: February 5, 2015Applicant: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Jean Picard, William Taylor
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Patent number: 8942955Abstract: A monitoring system capable of being operationalized. Power consumption in electrical devices is monitored by the use of new and innovative consumption power monitoring device in accordance with the present invention. Power consumption information is collected by an intelligent power hub that is communicatively coupled to a remote server that presents overall power usage displays. A method of operationalizing a power usage monitoring system comprises powering up an energy pump device when the energy pump device is plugged into a first power socket, setting the energy pump device automatically to a SET mode to acquire new monitoring devices, and discovering the presence of a power consumption monitoring device.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2010Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: People Power CompanyInventor: Eugene Wang
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Patent number: 8937402Abstract: A converter circuit to be connected to an electrical energy source includes a chopper circuit having an input terminal capable of being connected to said electrical energy source, a first output circuit adapted to being connected via a first switch to an output terminal of the chopper circuit, a second output circuit adapted to being connected via a second switch to the output terminal of the chopper circuit, and a control circuit. The control circuit is adapted for controlling the duty cycle of the chopper circuit as a function of the variation in voltage of said electrical energy source, and switching between the first and second switches as a function of a range of output voltage settings for the first output circuit.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2011Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies AlternativesInventors: Guy Waltisperger, Adrien Ramond, Frederic Rothan
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Patent number: 8931547Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning system includes an electric powered refrigerant compressing device, an evaporator, an electric heater, an air temperature determining component, a cabin interior temperature controlling component, an upper limit electric power setting component, and an electric power distribution controller. The evaporator receives refrigerant from the compressing device. The heater is downstream of the evaporator in an air passageway. The determining component determines a first air temperature upstream of the evaporator and a second air temperature between the evaporator and the heater. The controlling component sets a vehicle interior discharge air temperature at a position downstream of the heater to a target temperature. The power setting component sets an upper limit for power supplied to the compressing device and the heater.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2011Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tzu-Hsiang Yen, Takayoshi Matsuoka, Takafumi Uehara
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Publication number: 20150002302Abstract: The present invention relates to a system comprising an electric current supply device, said device in turn comprises a main outlet, where main electrical equipment is connected, and at least one secondary outlet where secondary electrical equipment is connected, the device is characterized by measuring with a consumption detector the electrical consumption level of the main electrical equipment and in the event of detecting a consumption level below a specific threshold, directing the current towards the at least one secondary outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2011Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventor: Francisco García Sosa
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Publication number: 20150001936Abstract: A wireless power transfer device includes a wireless power transfer unit that wirelessly transfers power to a plurality of other devices and a notification unit that provides notification that wireless power transfer to a third wireless power transfer device different from a second wireless power transfer device is not available or provides notification that the wireless power transfer to the third wireless power transfer device is available in the case where wireless power transfer to the second wireless power transfer device is performed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2014Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventor: Tadashi Eguchi
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Publication number: 20150001935Abstract: A horizontal electrical power strip device including a built in power plug, one master power outlet and triple slave power outlets controlled independently and simultaneously from each other through a master outlet. A power-sensing device (relay element) is coupled to a switch that allows the slave power outlets to be automatically turned on or off (controlled by the master outlet drawing sufficient current) and having different states simultaneously. Thus when current is being drawn from the master outlet the first slave is switched to an on (closed circuit) state, the second slave is switched to an off (open circuit) state while the third slave stays uninterrupted in an indefinite on (closed circuit) state. Having both simultaneously similar and opposite states of that to the master, the slave outlets offer a wide range of uses from power tools to home appliances including sharing of the same electrical power circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2014Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventor: Michel Balthazar
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Patent number: 8922055Abstract: Provided is a light emitting diode (LED) driving circuit for driving a plurality of LED groups. The LED driving circuit includes: a voltage converter, for converting an input voltage into an output voltage, the output voltage coupled to a respective first terminal of each of the LED groups; and a controller, coupled to the voltage converter for controlling the voltage converter, the controller including a plurality of output channel terminals respectively corresponding to a plurality of output channels, one or more of the output channels are enabled and one or more of the output channels are disabled. One or more of the output channel terminals corresponding to the one or more enabled output channels are coupled to second terminals of corresponding ones of the LED groups, and one or more of the output channel terminals corresponding to the one or more disabled output channels are coupled to a reference voltage.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2011Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Novatek Microelectronics Corp.Inventors: Feng-Wei Chien, Tsung-Hau Chang
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Patent number: 8918223Abstract: An apparatus for managing an energy consuming load in a group of energy consuming loads, including a transmitter to transmit a set of load state data generated from the load and a receiver to receive sets of load state data generated from the other loads. A processor generates the set of load state data from the load, compiles the set of load state data from the load with the sets of load state data from the other loads, and processes the compiled sets of load state data in order to make an enablement state decision for the load that reflects an enablement state of a load, being either a load enabled state where the load is capable of operating even when the load is not actually operating or a load disabled state where the load is not capable of operating. The enablement state decision is implemented by a controller.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2013Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Regen Energy Inc.Inventors: Roman Kulyk, Mark Kerbel
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Patent number: 8896157Abstract: The power supply includes a first power connector, a power conversion circuit, a control unit and a detection circuit. The first power connector includes a plurality of power terminals and a first detecting terminal. The power conversion circuit is coupled to the power terminals of the first power connector for converting an input voltage into an output voltage. The control unit is coupled to the power conversion circuit for controlling an operation of the power conversion circuit. The detection circuit is coupled to the control unit and the first detecting terminal of the first power connector for detecting if the first detecting terminal is connected or disconnected with a predetermined voltage terminal and correspondingly generating a power transmission status signal to the control unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2010Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.Inventor: Yu-Hung Huang
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Patent number: 8896158Abstract: A variable capacitance circuit includes: a prescribed node, to which an alternate current signal with a reference potential as a center voltage is applied; a first capacitor connected to the prescribed node; a second capacitor connected between the first capacitor and the reference potential; a third capacitor and a transistor for controlling capacitance, provide between a first node between the second capacitor and the first capacitor, and the reference potential; and a bias circuit which applies a first bias voltage to a second node between the third capacitor and the transistor.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2011Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor LimitedInventor: Hiroyuki Nakamoto
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Patent number: 8890358Abstract: An emergency generator power system with reserved fire protection power includes a generator engine and a generator body, a main power circuit breaker, a control panel, and a circuit breaker for fire protection systems and a circuit breaker for other emergencies. The generator power system also includes a measuring instrument and a control instrument. The measuring system measures a power load change on a main power line passing via the main power circuit breaker. The control instrument is connected to the measuring instrument at an input side thereof and to the circuit breaker for other emergencies at an output side thereof. When the value of the power load change reaches a predetermined value, the circuit breaker for other emergencies is primarily broken, thereby keeping the main power circuit breaker from being broken before the breaking of the circuit breaker for other emergencies.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2009Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Inventor: Won Kang Lee
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Patent number: 8890357Abstract: A line voltage transformer device for a bathing installation includes a housing structure, with a line voltage electrical power connection including a line voltage wiring cable having an electrical connection at a distal end for connection to a line voltage AC supply outlet adjacent the bathing installation. A voltage transformer circuit is disposed within the housing and connected to the line voltage electrical power connection and is configured to transform AC line voltage electrical power from the line voltage electrical power connection to low voltage AC power at first and second low voltage AC terminals, wherein the low voltage AC power is delivered to the first and second low voltage AC terminals.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2011Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Balboa Water Group, Inc.Inventor: Graham J. Campbell
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Patent number: 8884462Abstract: A power flow regulator includes a plurality of bi-directional DC-DC converters, each of said converters comprising a first input, a second input, a first output and a second output; and a capacitor electrically connected between the first and second inputs of each of said converters. Either the first output of each of said converters is electrically connected to a corresponding DC source and the second output of each of said converters is electrically connected to a common DC load, or the first output of each of said converters is electrically connected to a corresponding DC load and the second output of each of said converters is electrically connected to a common DC source.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2011Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Yu Liu, Christopher S. Thompson, Vijay Bhavaraju
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Publication number: 20140327311Abstract: A method and implementing computer system are provided in which a smart power strip is controlled by a master device which is also plugged-into the power strip. In an exemplary implementation, a computer or PC operates as a master device and a direct line of communication from the computer allows the OS to make a decision based on settings whether or not to power on or off individual power outlets on the power strip used in common by the computer and various peripheral devices. Thus, only selected peripheral devices are powered-on along with the computer when the computer or other master device is powered-on at a common power strip.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2013Publication date: November 6, 2014Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Derek Ryan Brewer, Kerry Michael Langford, Robert Dale Wilhelm
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Patent number: 8879943Abstract: A power supply system for AC-DC conversion, includes: a first rectifying/smoothing circuit configured to rectify and smooth an AC voltage applied from an AC power supply; a switching power supply configured to perform voltage conversion on an output voltage of the first rectifying/smoothing circuit, and output the converted voltages; an accumulating unit configured to receive a charging current from the switching power supply; a detecting unit configured to detect input/cutoff of the AC power supply; and a control device configured to receive supply of electric power from the accumulating unit and stop the switching power supply if the detecting unit detects the cutoff of the AC power supply.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2012Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Katsumi Inukai
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Publication number: 20140312694Abstract: A controller for use in a climate control system. The controller, which may be a wireless-enabled thermostat, includes a power stealing circuit configured to steal power from a first load that is in an “on” mode and from a second load that is in an “off” mode. The stealing is performed from the first and second loads at the same time. Sufficient power can be stolen to support substantially constant operation of a transceiver of the controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2014Publication date: October 23, 2014Inventors: Lihui Tu, Cuikun Chu, Zhongliang Xu, Long Huang