Motor-reversing Patents (Class 318/256)
  • Patent number: 11381180
    Abstract: A linear actuator (1) comprises a spindle nut arranged to be moved between two end positions on a spindle driven by a DC motor (2). An end stop switch (31) is arranged to be activated when the spindle nut is in an end position. In its activated state, the end stop switch disconnects the motor current and connects a first diode (33) across the DC motor for short circuiting the motor when the current is interrupted. A second diode (32) is connected over the end stop switch for enabling the DC motor to drive the spindle nut out of said end position. An additional component (43) in series with the first diode reduces noise problems caused by motor current circulating through this diode during pulse pauses while the spindle nut is driven out of an end position by a pulse width modulated voltage via a cable from a control box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Linak A/S
    Inventors: Jeppe Christian Bastholm, Christian Tjønelund Ahler
  • Patent number: 11063579
    Abstract: A circuit for testing an electronic component, such as a transformer, includes at least two power supplies and at least two H bridge circuits. A first H bridge circuit is conductively coupled in parallel to a first power supply. A second H bridge circuit is conductively coupled in parallel to a second power supply. The second H bridge circuit includes one or more anti-series diodes for preventing current from the first power supply from passing through the second H bridge circuit to the second power supply. The first H bridge circuit and the second H bridge circuit are configured to conductively couple to the electronic component for providing a voltage with a predefined waveform to the electronic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Richard B. Beddingfield, Subhashish Bhattacharya, David Storelli
  • Patent number: 10927582
    Abstract: A seal for a movable part of a motor-vehicle includes at least one body formed of polymeric elastomeric material supplemented with carbon-based nanofillers. The body includes an outer surface having one or more piezo-resistive areas where the polymeric material supplemented with carbon-based nanofillers is piezo-resistive due to laser irradiation to define one or more electric deformation sensors activatable in response to a contact with a foreign body during the movement of the movable part of the motor-vehicle. The body also includes one or more conductive lines made locally electrically-conductive due to laser irradiation to define the one or more electrical connection lines connecting the electric deformation sensors to electrodes associated with the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: C.R.F. SOCIETA CONSORTILE PER AZIONI
    Inventors: Antonino Domenico Veca, Paolo Chiappero, Graziano Brocani, Vito Guido Lambertini
  • Patent number: 10843897
    Abstract: An emergency elevator includes a door frame installed on upper, left and right sides of an entrance of an elevator platform, an elevator car configured to vertically move along an elevator passage and provided with a pair of elevator doors, a pair of platform doors installed in the door frame, a lower frame installed on a lower side of the entrance of the elevator platform and configured to slidably support the platform doors, an upper door rim installed on an upper side of the platform doors, a side door rim vertically installed at a lateral end of the platform doors, an oxygen supply device configured to supply oxygen to a patient in the elevator car, an emergency ventilation device configured to supply a purified air into the elevator car, and a filter device provided in the blowing duct so as to remove harmful substances introduced into the elevator car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: SONGSAN SPECIAL ELEVATORS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Gi-Young Kim
  • Patent number: 10831938
    Abstract: Techniques for parallel power down processing of an integrated circuit (IC) design are described herein. An aspect includes receiving IC design information comprising a plurality of IC elements. Another aspect includes identifying a plurality of timing endpoints in the IC design information. Another aspect includes determining a plurality of nets, each net comprising a respective subset of the plurality of IC elements, based on the identified plurality of timing endpoints. Another aspect includes performing power down processing of net drivers in the plurality of nets, wherein the power down processing of at least a subset of the plurality of nets is performed in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jose Neves, Adam Matheny
  • Patent number: 10471811
    Abstract: A movable component of a motor vehicle, for example a tailgate can be moved between two end positions by a drive unit of a moving device. A release energy for the drive unit, which is to be used to release the component at the start of a movement from a starting position, is selected as a function of the starting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Jürgen Hartmann, Patrick Sassmannshausen
  • Patent number: 10461609
    Abstract: In some examples, a half-bridge circuit includes a first switch including a first load terminal, a second load terminal, a first control terminal, and a second control terminal that is electrically isolated from the first control terminal of the first switch. The half-bridge circuit further includes a second switch including a first load terminal electrically connected to the second load terminal of the first switch, a second load terminal, and a control terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Markus Bader, Stefan Mieslinger
  • Patent number: 9853572
    Abstract: A bridge leg switching a DC voltage to produce an AC voltage at its output terminal for supply to an inductive load. The bridge leg has first, second, third, and fourth switch assemblies, and at least a first inductive element. The first and second switch assemblies are serially connected between the bridge leg input terminals, the bridge leg output being formed at a point of interconnection of the first and second switch assemblies. The third and fourth switch assemblies are serially connected between the bridge leg input terminals, the inductive element being connected between a point of interconnection of the third and fourth switch assemblies and the bridge leg output. The third and fourth switch assemblies are controlled such that reverse current through either of the first or second switch assembly is reduced compared to bridge leg output current prior to the moment the bridge leg output is switched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Inmotion Technologies AB
    Inventor: Ulf Bengt Ingemar Karlsson
  • Patent number: 9817077
    Abstract: A circuit device includes an output circuit having a high-side transistor and a low-side transistor, and a control circuit configured to detect a voltage between the drain node and the source node of a detection target transistor that is at least one of the low-side transistor and the high-side transistor, and detect a malfunction in the case where it is determined that the detection voltage did not exceed a given comparison voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsushi Yamada
  • Patent number: 9618367
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor circuit includes a sensor for providing a sensing voltage, a pre-processing circuit electrically connected to the sensor via an input connection line, and an impedance transformation circuit electrically connected between the input connection line and a bias point. The impedance transformation circuit includes a first impedance unit and a second impedance unit. The first impedance unit includes a first current mirror, and the second impedance unit includes a second current mirror configured as an invented matching current mirror of the first current mirror. The first current mirror is electrically connected to the input connection line, and the second current mirror is electrically connected to the bias point to receive a bias voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: AAC TECHNOLOGIES PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Tan Siew Seong, Chua Tiong Kee
  • Patent number: 9458657
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically closing a garage door can include one or more door open sensors, one or more motion sensors, one or more timers, and a door close activator. In certain embodiments, the one or more door open sensors are configured to detect whether the garage door is completely open. In various embodiments, the one or more motion sensors are focused in a garage and configured to detect motion within the garage. In certain embodiments, the one or more timers are configured to delay for a predetermined time period after motion is no longer detected. In various embodiments, the door close activator is configured to close the garage door after the delay of the predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: GBF CORP.
    Inventors: John Stuhr French, Patrick Thomas Brennan
  • Patent number: 9405281
    Abstract: A load torque estimation apparatus inputs a controlling value for controlling the electric motor and an actually measured value of a rotational speed of the electric motor to a model to estimate load torque of the electric motor; and derives a mechanical time constant of the electric motor corresponding to the load torque estimated by the estimation part. The load torque estimation apparatus updates the mechanical time constant included in the model by using the mechanical time constant corresponding to the load torque estimated at an (n?1)th control period (where n denotes an integer greater than or equal to 2) and estimates the load torque of the electric motor at an nth control period by inputting the controlling value and the actually measured value acquired at the nth control period to the model acquired through the updating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeo Seki, Yoshihiro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9395705
    Abstract: A load torque estimation apparatus estimates load torque of an electric motor. The apparatus includes an estimation part configured to input a controlling value for controlling the electric motor and an actually measured value of a rotational speed of the electric motor to a model and estimating load torque of the electric motor; and a derivation part configured to derive a mechanical time constant of the electric motor corresponding to the actually measured value of the rotational speed of the electric motor. The estimation part is configured to update, according to a timing of acquiring the actually measured value of the rotational speed of the electric motor, the mechanical time constant included in the model by using the mechanical time constant corresponding to the acquired actually measured value and estimate the load torque of the electric motor by using the updated model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeo Seki, Yoshihiro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9362855
    Abstract: An embodiment of a motor controller includes first and second supply nodes, a motor-coil node, an isolator, a motor driver, and a motor position signal generator. The isolator is coupled between the first and second supply nodes, and the motor driver is coupled to the second supply node and to the motor-coil node. The motor position signal generator is coupled to the isolator and is operable to generate, in response to the isolator, a motor-position signal that is related to a position of a motor having at least one coil coupled to the motor-coil node. By generating the motor-position signal in response to the isolator, the motor controller or another circuit may determine the at-rest or low-speed position of a motor without using an external coil-current-sense circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS, INC., STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Frederic Bonvin, Agostino Mirabelli, Maurizio Nessi
  • Patent number: 9048703
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for controlling a power trunk in a trunk-equipped vehicle, including: a motor configured to transfer power to the trunk to drive the trunk; a velocity sensing unit configured to sense a velocity of the motor; a control unit configured to compute a current trunk position and an operational velocity based on information on the velocity of the motor sensed by the velocity sensing unit and control the motor based on the computed position and the operational velocity, wherein a predetermined target velocity and the operational velocity are compared, and a difference between the target velocity and the operational velocity is compensated using a proportional integral derivative (PID) control scheme. It is possible to constantly control an open/close velocity of a power trunk regardless of a change of external environments when a power trunk is opened or closed in a vehicle having a power trunk system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: MOTOTECH.CO.LTD
    Inventors: Se Young Jang, Jae Hyoung An, Sang Il Lee
  • Patent number: 8729836
    Abstract: A control device for a hoist, which enables easy judgment of the lifetime of a brake of a hoist is provided. The time setting unit sets the time from startup of a double winding induction motor to disengagement of the brake and the time from start of engagement of the brake to stopping of the double winding induction motor in accordance with the time from the startup of the double winding induction motor to generation of torque. The time changing unit detects if power-supply frequency of a power supply is 50 Hz or 60 Hz and can change at least one of the time from the startup of the double winding induction motor to the disengagement of the brake and the time from stopping of driving of the brake to stopping of double winding induction motor in accordance with the power-supply frequency of the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Kito Corporation
    Inventors: Masaharu Maruno, Daisuke Matsuo, Kazuho Furukawa
  • Patent number: 8593097
    Abstract: A seat adjusting device for an automobile seat (1) having an electric motor (11) for generating a drive motion, wherein the electric motor is operationally coupled to a gearbox (13) for transmitting the drive motion thereof, the gearbox having a gearbox housing (19) in which gearbox elements are disposed for a step-up or step-down transmission of the motor drive motion, by means of which electric motors of lesser technical complexity can be used than previously. To this end, the invention proposes that the gearbox (13) has detection device for detecting information about the speed of at least one of the gearbox elements or detecting a variable dependent on the speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Andreas Diehl
  • Patent number: 8569980
    Abstract: A trash can include a sensor for detecting the presence of an object near a portion of the trash can. The detection of the object can be used to signal the trash can to open its lid. The trash can include an electronic drive unit for opening and closing the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Tzu-Hao Wei, Myk Wayne Lum, Yoon J. Kim
  • Patent number: 8519660
    Abstract: An electrical device removal tool for electrical equipment, such as circuit breakers, is disclosed herein. The tool can be lightweight, portable, and rugged for providing electrically operated controlled insertion and removal of the electrical equipment by an operator from a remote location using a coupling device engaged with the electrical equipment housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Inventors: Ashley Sue Ledbetter, Finley Lee Ledbetter
  • Patent number: 8508159
    Abstract: A device for controlling the movement of a both motorically and manually movable vehicle part includes a drive unit controllable in its rotational speed for motorically moving the vehicle part, a coupling device for coupling the drive unit with the vehicle part, and a control unit which controls the drive unit and the coupling device such that during manually moving the vehicle part the coupling device couples the drive unit with the vehicle part if the vehicle part has reached a pre-defined position. The control unit controls the rotational speed of the drive unit depending on the moving speed of the vehicle part. In this way, a device and a method are provided which in an easy and low-wear manner allow for a control of the movement of a both motorically and manually movable vehicle part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Coburg
    Inventors: Christian Herrmann, Stephan Deister
  • Patent number: 8476849
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some multisensory implementations, a patient-lifting-device is controlled by voice recognition, keyboard text input, synaptic control and/or a tongue tactile input commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Altorr Corp.
    Inventor: Bradford A. Clough
  • Patent number: 8461786
    Abstract: In a method and a device for determining the position of a closing part of a vehicle, that can be moved by a direct-current motor, a motor current signal is derived from the direct-current motor and converted into a digital signal by an analog-digital converter. The signal is filtered and forwarded to a position counter for counting the current ripple. The scanning frequency of the analog-digital converter is modified according to the rotational speed of the direct-current motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Roman Morawek
  • Patent number: 8427084
    Abstract: A digital motor control system utilizes at least two variable pulse generators to produce two streams of pulse width modulated pulses to control the motor speed and direction of rotation of a motor. An input control signal may be compared with two reference signals, such as two waveforms which are inverted with respect to each other, to produce two streams of pulse width modulated signals. A logic circuit combines the two streams of pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Inventor: Herbert S. Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8400093
    Abstract: A system for detecting a backspin condition of a motor in an electrical submersible pump is disclosed herein. The system comprises a sensor mounted proximate to the motor, the sensor outputting a signal, a power cable connected between a motor and a controller, the power cable supplying a three phase AC voltage to the motor, one phase of the three phase signal having a control signal thereon; electronics connected to the sensor, the electronics receiving the signal and propagating the signal to the controller; and a computer defining the controller, the controller having a non-transitory memory, a computer processor, and a computer program product stored on the memory and executable by the processor, the computer program product performing a process of controlling the variable speed drive of the motor and a process of monitoring the signal from the sensor to determine if the motor is backspinning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Dick L. Knox, Robert H. McCoy, Jerald R. Rider
  • Patent number: 8390219
    Abstract: A door operator with an electrical back check feature is disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention are realized by a motorized door operator that electrically creates a back check force for an opening door. The door operator simulates the back check normally created by hydraulic means in convention door closers, but without the use of pistons, springs or hydraulic fluid. The door operator includes a motor disposed to operatively connect to a door so that the door will open when the motor moves, and a position sensor to determine a position of the door. A processor is programmed to exert a closing force on the door in the back check region. In some embodiments, the closing force is exerted by injecting a voltage into the electric motor of the door operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Yale Security Inc.
    Inventor: Blue Houser
  • Patent number: 8368335
    Abstract: Presented is a system for controlling a roller shade. The system includes a flexible shade material having a lower end, a roller tube windingly receiving the flexible shade material, and a reversible motor for rotating the roller tube to move the lower end of the shade material between a first and second position. The system further includes an optical sensor for capturing an image frame of the shade material at a plurality of linear positions as the lower end of the flexible shade material moves from the first position to the second position. The system further includes a motor controller for controlling the reversible motor to move the lower end of the shade material from the first position to the second position using a variable linear velocity profile in response to position information obtained from the plurality of captured image frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Crestron Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: George Feldstein, Mark LaBosco
  • Patent number: 8350513
    Abstract: Presented is a method for controlling a roller shade having a roller tube windingly receiving a flexible shade material. The method includes providing a motor that rotates the roller tube to move the flexible shade material between a first position and a second position. The method further includes capturing, with an optical sensor, an image frame at a plurality of linear positions along the flexible shade material as the flexible shade material moves from the first position to the second position. The method further includes controlling the reversible motor to move the flexible shade material from the first position to the second position in response to position information obtained from the captured image frames using a variable linear velocity profile so that the flexible shade material moves from the first position to the second position at a variable linear velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Crestron Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: George Feldstein, Mark LaBosco
  • Patent number: 8334666
    Abstract: A system for detecting a backspin condition of a motor in an electrical submersible pump is described herein. The system comprises a variable speed drive for powering the motor via a power cable; and a controller, the controller having a memory, a computer processor, and a computer program product stored on the memory and executable by the processor. The computer program product comprises the instructions of: monitoring an input current or impedance on the power cable to determine changes in motor current impedance, comparing changes in the motor current impedance to a historical threshold value for backspin events to determine whether the motor is backspinning; impeding operable power to the motor when it is determined the motor is backspinning; supplying a low AC voltage to the motor after it is determined the motor is backspinning; and determining whether or not the motor has stopped backspinning by monitoring the low AC voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Sheldon Plitt, John M. Leuthen
  • Patent number: 8310179
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some multisensory implementations, a patient-lifting-device is controlled by voice recognition using a background noise filter, keyboard text input, synaptic control and/or a tongue tactile input commands. In some implementations, the command is rejected or accepted in reference to an analysis of the command, the analysis including an analysis of the authority of operator, competency and/or the state of mind of the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Altorr Corp.
    Inventor: Bradford A. Clough
  • Patent number: 8310178
    Abstract: A motor control apparatus for controlling a DC motor includes a detection unit configured to detect an angular speed of the DC motor, and a control unit configured to, when the DC motor is accelerated, increase a control value that controls a driving of the DC motor at a constant rate from a first control value corresponding to an angular speed lower than a target angular speed up to a second control value corresponding to an angular speed higher than the target angular speed, and switch the control value that controls the driving of the DC motor to a control value corresponding to the target angular speed in response to the detection result of the detection unit reaching the target angular speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoritsugu Maeda
  • Patent number: 8294393
    Abstract: A method for determining proper rotation direction of a reversible motor comprises the steps of: operating the motor to rotate a fan in a first direction, monitoring an operating parameter of the motor while the fan is rotated in the first direction, determining if the monitored operating parameter is within an acceptable range, determining that the first direction of rotation is not the proper rotation direction where the monitored operating parameter is not within the acceptable range, and operating the motor to rotate the fan in a second direction if the monitored operating parameter is not within the acceptable range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher D. Schock, Arthur E. Woodward
  • Patent number: 8217598
    Abstract: A method of driving a vibration wave motor enables proper frequency control of an AC voltage applied to the motor according to the rotational speed difference between the actual and target rotational speeds of the motor, even if frequency-rotational speed characteristics are not stored in advance. A target rotational speed of a moving member is set. A ratio of an amount of increase or decrease in a rotational speed of the moving member to an amount of update of a frequency of the AC voltage and a rotational speed difference between the target rotational speed and an actual rotational speed of the moving member are calculated. The amount of update of the frequency is calculated by dividing the calculated rotational speed difference by the calculated ratio. The frequency of the AC voltage is updated by using the calculated amount of update of the frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Canon Precision Inc.
    Inventors: Toshihisa Komai, Makoto Shiomi
  • Patent number: 8143820
    Abstract: A motor control device operable to rotate a motor based on an actuated direction of an operation knob of an operation switch in a direction corresponding to the actuated direction has direction selector switches provided corresponding to respective actuated directions of the operation knob, and open/close elements provided between the direction selector switches and a power supply. Each of the open/close elements is turned on when a control current is supplied thereto. When the operation knob is actuated, the direction selector switch corresponding to the actuated direction is turned on, a control current is supplied from the power supply to the open/close element connected to the relevant switch, and the predetermined open/close element is turned on. A drive current that flows from the power supply into the motor through a current carrying path of the open/close element is controlled according to a ON/OFF status of each of the open/close elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventor: Yoichi Sakuma
  • Patent number: 8100141
    Abstract: A water supply control assembly is disclosed for cutting off the supply of water to a house or building in the event of excessive water consumption. In one embodiment, a valve is secured to a distribution conduit in fluid communication with a pressurized source of fluid. A water flow sensing unit is secured between the inlet port and the flow discharge port. A magnet is mounted therein to a displaceable member and moved into and out of magnetic field coupling proximity to a timing reed switch in response to the onset and termination of pressurized water flow through the water flow sensing unit. A controller is coupled to the timing reed switch in order to actuate the valve to a water shut-off condition in response to the continuous flow of pressurized water for an elapsed flow time in excess of a preset duty cycle limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Inventors: Raymond H. Slupecki, J. Thomas Miller
  • Patent number: 8049443
    Abstract: An integrated printed circuit board-based solid state line voltage interface for use in automation control system applications. Relays connect various functional loads to the line level source in response to input from a controller unit. Switches enable a user to override the controller and manually control the connection of the functional loads. An alternative embodiment further includes limit switches and time delays. The compact nature of the device facilitates ease of installation, mounting of multiple units in less space, and mounting in various specialized location as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: AgroLinks, LLC
    Inventor: Paul Brooks
  • Patent number: 7952312
    Abstract: A controller computes a pinching amount of an object caused by a window glass. The controller estimates a prior pinching amount of the object caused by the window glass before the controller computes the pinching amount of the object. The controller confirms occurrence of the pinching of the object based on the computed pinching amount and the estimated prior pinching amount of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Asmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin Sakai, Takahiro Sumiya
  • Patent number: 7928771
    Abstract: Input signals from a signal input terminal are input to a logic circuit, and a control signal corresponding to states of the input signals is output. The control signal is supplied to an output circuit, a plurality of transistors are controlled, and a drive signal is output corresponding to states of the transistors. In the logic circuit, the logic is switched according to the polarity of the setting signal which is input to a logic setting terminal, and a control signal corresponding to the input signal is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Sanyo Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Yokoo
  • Patent number: 7843153
    Abstract: A control system for controlling an adjustment device which is operated by electric motor in a motor vehicle includes an indirect anti-trapping system for detecting a trapping situation between an adjustment element, which is moved by the adjustment device in an adjustment movement along an adjustment path, and a vehicle element. The anti-trapping system stops or reverses the adjustment movement of the adjustment element if a defined threshold value for a mechanical running parameter—which results from the adjustment movement is exceeded. The anti-trapping system operates with an analysis unit for analyzing the adjustment movement of the adjustment element, wherein the control system is configured and embodied in such a way that by means of the analysis unit, in an analysis mode, the running parameters of the adjustment device can be checked for mechanical functional faults of the adjustment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co KG, Coburg
    Inventors: Jochen Held, Roland Kalb, Markus Schlesiger, Rene Zellmer, Jürgen Buhlheller
  • Patent number: 7741794
    Abstract: A load drive control circuit for controlling a load that includes connection terminals. The load drive control circuit includes bridge circuits respectively connected to the connection terminals of the load. Each bridge circuit includes two semiconductor elements, which are connected between a power supply and ground, and an output terminal. The semiconductor elements are each controlled to be switched between activated and deactivated states. The output terminal of each bridge circuit generates a bridge output that varies in accordance with a combination of the activated and deactivated states of the semiconductor elements in the bridge circuit. A detection circuit detects whether a short circuit is occurring in the connection terminals. A control circuit switches the bridge circuits to electrically disconnect the load from the power supply when a short circuit is occurring during a period in which the load is in a suspended state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Yasushi Nishibe, Hiroki Kishi
  • Patent number: 7737653
    Abstract: A method of controlling a motorized window treatment provides for continued operation of the motorized window treatment during an overload condition, a low-line condition, or an electrostatic discharge (ESD) event. The motorized window treatment is driven by an electronic drive unit having a motor, a motor drive circuit, a rotational position sensor, a controller, and a memory for storing the command. The controller stores the present position of the motorized window treatment in the memory each time the rotational position of the motor changes by a predetermined angle, such that a plurality of positions are stored in the memory. When the controller is reset due to an overload condition or ESD event, the controller recalls the desired position from the memory, determines the present position, and continues to drive the motor drive circuit in response to the command and the present position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence R. Carmen, Jr., Robert Thomas Nachtrieb, Thomas Warren Brenner, Stephen Lundy, Jonathan H. Ference, Justin Mierta
  • Patent number: 7733043
    Abstract: In a method and system for controlling a revolving door that has a plurality of chambers defined by wings of a revolver, at least one imaging sensor is provided for acquiring images of a first area where the plurality of chambers rotatably pass by or through. A drive causes the revolver to rotate in a first direction from a first position where a user can enter a first chamber via the first opening. Images are acquired by the one imaging sensor and signals are acquired from a position sensor that is operative for outputting signals indicative of the angular position of the revolver. Based on the signals acquired from the position sensor, each imaging sensor or its output is disabled and/or each image acquired by each imaging sensor is ignored when each door wing is in field-of-view of the imaging sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: B.E.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary T. Casella, Michael F. Stadler, Thomas P. Schluep
  • Patent number: 7701157
    Abstract: A motor controller for fully closing and opening a window glass for a vehicle door. The motor controller controls a motor that drives the window glass and includes a relay circuit connected to the motor and switching contact states in accordance with movement of the window glass. An FET is connected to the relay circuit. A sensor detects rotation speed of the motor and generates a detection signal. A CPU, which is connected to the FET and sensor, generates a duty signal having a duty ratio that is in accordance with a waveform of the detection signal generated by the sensor, provides the FET with the duty signal, and drives the motor in accordance with the waveform of the detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Shimomura, Hirofumi Moriya
  • Patent number: 7652439
    Abstract: A change-over device of pull cord control and wireless remote control for a DC brushless-motor ceiling fan is to have a driver installed in a ceiling fan basic body, and the driver has a detecting unit for detecting whether or not a connector positioned in a hanging bell is connected with a wireless control switch unit so as to control the blades of the DC brushless-motor ceiling fan to rotate by pull cord control or by wireless remote control. Further, the connector is installed inside the hanging bell; therefore, when the DC brushless-motor ceiling fan is to be additionally provided with a wireless control switch unit, it is convenient and safe in installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Air Cool Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yung Yu Tang
  • Patent number: 7642736
    Abstract: A device and method for controlling the changing operation of an on-load tap changer (LTC) that interrupts current passing the current zero point of a commercial frequency are provided. The device may include a current zero point detecting unit that detects a zero point in the waveform of current passed through the LTC, a current zero point cycle measuring unit that measures the cycle of the current zero point detected by the current zero point detecting unit, a commercial frequency determining unit that generates an output signal when the cycle of the current zero point measured by the current zero point cycle measuring unit corresponds to a commercial frequency, and an actuation signal output unit that outputs an actuation signal used to have the LTC carry out tap changing operation in response to the output signal of the commercial frequency cycle determining unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Hitoshi Genkawa
  • Patent number: 7639050
    Abstract: In a load-drive controller, a first comparing unit compares a load current supplied from an H bridge circuit and a desired setting current; a PWM control unit generates a control signal to control the load current; a gate driver drives and controls output transistors of the H bridge circuit based on the control signal, and a load current monitoring unit determines which is larger a level shift equivalent value of the setting current or a peak hold equivalent value of the load current, and the PWM control unit controls increase or decrease of the load current based on a comparison result of the first comparing unit and on a determination result of the load current monitoring unit, so that the load current quickly reaches the setting current of a micro step drive during decrease of the setting current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Chigira
  • Patent number: 7525265
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reversing a drive motor for a barrier movement operator are disclosed. The operator senses the nature of a request for reversal and based on the nature of the sensed request performs one of a plurality of processes to reverse the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Callentine, Thomas J. Jankovsky
  • Publication number: 20080315804
    Abstract: A load drive control circuit for controlling a load that includes connection terminals. The load drive control circuit includes bridge circuits respectively connected to the connection terminals of the load. Each bridge circuit includes two semiconductor elements, which are connected between a power supply and ground, and an output terminal. The semiconductor elements are each controlled to be switched between activated and deactivated states. The output terminal of each bridge circuit generates a bridge output that varies in accordance with a combination of the activated and deactivated states of the semiconductor elements in the bridge circuit. A detection circuit detects whether a short circuit is occurring in the connection terminals. A control circuit switches the bridge circuits to electrically disconnect the load from the power supply when a short circuit is occurring during a period in which the load is in a suspended state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Yasushi Nishibe, Hiroki Kishi
  • Patent number: 7425805
    Abstract: A three-in-one control device for a ceiling fan includes a signal receiving module, which is able to receive segmented controlled signals, stepless controlled signals and wireless controlled signals respectively, for transmitting controlled signals to a micro computer control unit to process, analyze and code them. Then, the processed signals are transmitted to a driving unit to drive the blades of the ceiling fan to rotate. Therefore, when a control switch is replaced with another type, it is unnecessary to change the control device but just connect it to a corresponding control module, able to save manufacturing cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Inventor: Hsia-Yuan Hsu
  • Patent number: 7126296
    Abstract: A directional load is capable of operating in multiple directions. For example, a directional motor may rotate in clockwise and counterclockwise directions. A directional load driver generates output signals causing the directional load to operate in one of the directions, thereby providing a requested function. The requested function is identified using an input signal, such as a state-encoded input signal. The state-encoded input signal could be received by the directional load driver over a single wire or through a single input pin. Under the control of the directional load driver, the directional load could perform any of a wide variety of functions. In automotive applications, the directional load could open or close a window, lock or unlock a door, or open or close a door. In other applications, the directional load could be used with a residential door lock, a home automation system, or an industrial control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary J. Burlak, Marian Mirowski
  • Patent number: 7122987
    Abstract: A safety garage door apparatus includes a garage door, two tracks, a controller, a linking device and a detecting device. Two tracks are installed on two sides of the garage door, respectively. The controller includes a motor, a driving device connected to the motor, and a microprocessor. The linking device includes a rail, a rack slidably mounted in the rail, and a linkage with one end connected to the rack and the other end connected to the garage door. The rack is connected with the driving device. The detecting device is mounted in the controller to continually detect a location of the rack so that a moving speed of the rack is determined by the microprocessor to compare with a predetermined rate to determined whether an operation of opening or closing the garage door needs to be stopped or reversed, or a maintenance of the garage door apparatus is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Equus Inc.
    Inventor: Duke Chen