With Voltage Or Current Conversion (e.g., D.c. To A.c., 60 To 1000) Patents (Class 324/120)
  • Publication number: 20130082687
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for calibrating a transmitter system. A directional coupler is configured to provide a first signal representative of a forward power of an RF signal and a second signal representative of a reflected power of the RF signal. A splitting assembly is configured to generate respective third and fourth signals, each representative of the forward power, from the first signal. A switching assembly is configured to select between the second signal and the third signal. A system control is configured to determine an associated power of each of the fourth signal and a signal provided by the switching assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventors: William T. Chizevsky, Tracee Craft
  • Publication number: 20130069631
    Abstract: There is provided a current sense circuit (134). An exemplary current sense circuit (134) comprises a voltage-to-current converter circuit (218) that is adapted to receive a voltage that is proportional to a load current drawn from a battery (110) by a load (202) and to produce a current proportional to the load current, and a current-to-voltage converter circuit (228) that is adapted to receive the current proportional to the load current and to produce a voltage proportional to the load current based on a regulated voltage source (230).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventor: Harold Arthur Smith
  • Publication number: 20130063166
    Abstract: A sensor interface circuit is provided for resolving sensor signals from a plurality of sensors into a digital sensor signal, the sensor interface circuit comprising: a relaxation oscillator for receiving and pre-processing the sensor signals to generate an analog sensor signal, the relaxation oscillator comprising one or more dynamic circuits; and a monitoring module for receiving the analog sensor signal and generating the digital sensor signal in response thereto. There is also provided a sensor system front-end and a relaxation oscillator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Simon Sheung Yan NG, Minkyu JE
  • Publication number: 20130038318
    Abstract: An AC voltage detecting circuit comprises: a first capacitor including a first electrode configured to connect to one end of an AC power supply, and a second electrode; a second capacitor including a first electrode configured to connect to the other end of the AC power supply, and a second electrode; a current-to-voltage converting circuit, which is connected in series between the second electrode of the first capacitor and the second electrode of the second capacitor, and which is connected to a reference potential, wherein the current-to-voltage converting circuit causes the AC current to pass through the current-to-voltage converting circuit when the AC current returns to the AC power supply, and converts an AC current output from the AC power supply into an detection AC voltage; and a voltage detecting unit, which detects an AC input voltage of the AC power supply, based on the detection AC voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Katsumi INUKAI
  • Patent number: 8373407
    Abstract: A method and apparatus provides improved resolution in an analog signal, relative to the resolution of a digital-to-analog converter producing the signal. In one embodiment, a digital electrical power and energy meter varies a digital input to a digital-to-analog converter such that an average of the output of the digital-to-analog converter indicates a value with greater resolution than the instantaneous resolution of the digital-to-analog converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Electro Industries/Gauge Tech
    Inventor: Tibor Banhegyesi
  • Patent number: 8373408
    Abstract: A method, an algorithm, and circuits for implementation of a high-accuracy voltage divider are described that include a capability of fault detection. The disclosure allows for correction of non-catastrophic faults, such as significant changes of the components' values. The performance of the circuit built as described is vastly superior to operations achievable with the modern-day components utilized in previous standard and known configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Sendyne Corporation
    Inventor: Victor Marten
  • Patent number: 8362658
    Abstract: A method for determining a load capability of a direct current (“DC”) voltage source connectable to an alternating current (“AC”) power grid having a predetermined frequency via an inverter and a grid disconnect switch includes controlling, while the grid disconnect switch is in an open position, the inverter so as to convert a DC input voltage to a test frequency different than the predetermined frequency of the AC power grid so as to increase a test load acting on the DC voltage source above an internal consumption of the inverter at the predetermined frequency. The DC input voltage is measured while the grid disconnect switch is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Alexander Ahlborn, Wilfried Groote, Wolfgang Reichenbaecher
  • Publication number: 20130002234
    Abstract: A method, an algorithm, and circuits for implementation of a high-accuracy voltage divider are described that include a capability of fault detection. The disclosure allows for correction of non-catastrophic faults, such as significant changes of the components' values. The performance of the circuit built as described is vastly superior to operations achievable with the modern-day components utilized in previous standard and known configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: SENDYNE CORP.
    Inventor: Victor Marten
  • Patent number: 8334685
    Abstract: A signal detector and a signal detection method adapted for detecting a voltage signal are provided. According to a digital signal converted from a low voltage full wave or half wave signal and/or a mains AC signal inputted thereto, the signal detector and the signal detection method are capable of detecting a voltage level, and/or a frequency, and/or a zero point, and/or a phase of the low voltage full wave or half wave signal and/or the mains AC signal inputted thereto, and determining whether the detected factor is abnormal, and is further capable of outputting an interrupt signal for subsequent processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: INNO-TECH Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ting-Chin Tsen, Shu-Chia Lin, Wen-Yueh Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8324884
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for DC voltage measurement. First, an input DC voltage is received. A temporary disturbance signal is then added to the input DC voltage to obtain a disturbed signal, wherein an amplitude of the temporary disturbance signal is greater than precision level of an analog-to-digital converter. The disturbed signal is then converted from analog to digital with the analog-to-digital converter to obtain a plurality of samples with different values. An average value is then derived from the samples. Finally, the average value is output as a measurement value of the input DC voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Silicon Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Li Shuo Hsiao
  • Patent number: 8314605
    Abstract: A medical treatment device, such as a dental treatment device, is described, the device including a drive unit for driving multiple different tools that are detachably connectable to the treatment device and a tool recognition device for recognizing whether a tool is connected to the treatment device and/or which of the different tools is connected to the treatment device. The tool recognition device includes a coil and an evaluation unit, wherein the coil is connected or connectable to an AC voltage sources, and the coil is inductively couplable to the different tools, so that an AC voltage signal that is specific for each tool and that can be associated with the particular tool by the evaluation unit can be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: W&H Dentalwerk Burmoos GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Pruckner, Andreas Brandstaetter, Wolfgang Wendtner
  • Patent number: 8305095
    Abstract: A voltage measurement device for connection to a primary voltage dividing element provided between ground and an electrically conducting element in a system for controlling an electrical process and such a system. The device includes at least one first branch of secondary voltage dividing elements, where the branch is adapted to be connected in parallel with the primary voltage dividing element, and a first measuring unit connected to one of the secondary voltage dividing elements of the first branch and arranged to measure the voltage across this secondary voltage dividing element and provide a first voltage signal corresponding to a voltage of the electrically conducting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Hans Björklund, Krister Nyberg
  • Publication number: 20120268105
    Abstract: A method and electronic device for outputting time values and energy of an analog input signal by dynamically determining a plurality of threshold values, comparing, using a plurality of comparator circuits, the plurality of threshold values against the analog input signal, outputting, using at least one time to digital conversion circuit connected to each of the plurality of comparator circuits, a plurality of time values, each time value output when the analog input signal meets or exceeds a threshold value of the threshold values, filtering the analog input signal, performing, using an analog-to-digital conversion circuit, analog-to-digital conversion of the filtered analog input signal to generate a digital signal, and calculating, in response to receiving a trigger signal, an energy of the digital signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicants: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Gregory J. MANN, Gin-Chung WANG
  • Publication number: 20120229122
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a current input converter includes a first metal plate having a solid shape, which has one end attached to the terminal table and one other end attached to one end of a primary-side coil of the transformer, and connects the terminal table and the one end of the primary-side coil of the transformer to each other, and a second metal plate having a solid shape, which has one end attached to the terminal table and one other end attached to one other end of the primary-side coil of the transformer, and connects the terminal table and the other end of the primary-side coil of the transformer to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Yusuke YANAGIHASHI, Hiroyuki SHIRAKAWA, Toshio TANAKA, Hiroyuki MAEHARA, Noriyoshi SUGA, Itsuo SHUTO
  • Patent number: 8242769
    Abstract: A method for measuring transconductance of an oscillating circuit is provided. The oscillating circuit includes an inverter. When an input terminal and an output terminal of the inverter are floated, the bias voltage of the inverter is obtained by measuring the output terminal thereof. Based on floating the input terminal and respectively providing a first voltage and a second voltage to the output terminal, a first current corresponding to the first voltage and a second current corresponding to the second voltage are measured from the output terminal. The first voltage and the bias voltage have the same voltage levels. An output resistor value of the inverter is obtained according to the first and second voltages and the first and second currents. The transconductance of the oscillating circuit is obtained according to the output resistor value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Princeton Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Cheng-Yung Teng, Mine-Yuan Huang
  • Publication number: 20120153934
    Abstract: A voltage and current sampling device, including a box, a current transformer, and a voltage acquisition unit, including a voltage collection sub-unit, and a voltage/frequency conversion sub-unit. The current transformer is disposed in the box. A phase line passes through the center of the current transformer. The current transformer outputs a current signal via a current signal output end. The voltage collection sub-unit is disposed on the phase line whereby acquiring a real-time voltage signal and converting the real-time voltage signal into a first voltage sampling signal. The voltage/frequency conversion sub-unit is connected to the voltage collection sub-unit whereby converting the first voltage sampling signal into a first frequency signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: HUBEI SHENGJIA ELECTRIC APPARATUS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jiasheng WAN, Zhiqiang WANG
  • Publication number: 20120084029
    Abstract: There are provided an electronic watt-hour meter capable of processing a plurality of input signals and a method of calculating watt-hours. The electronic watt-hour meter includes: a signal sensor sensing analogue type voltage and current signals; a multiplexer selectively outputting any one signal of the sensed voltage and current signals; a signal converter converting the selectively outputted signal into a digital signal; a demultiplexer outputting the converted digital signal through a port corresponding to the converted digital signal; and a calculator calculating watt-hours based on the converted digital signal, thereby allowing for a reduction in power consumption and the miniaturizing of the watt-hour meter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventor: Shin Jae KANG
  • Patent number: 8131439
    Abstract: An electronic controller for motor vehicle control systems having at least one valve actuation circuit is described herein. The electronic controller uses pulse width modulation to control the load current (iL) flowing through an essentially inductive load (L), and has at least one electronic current measuring circuit which has at least one analog/digital converter which converts an analog measurement signal for the load current (iL) into a digital measurement signal for the load current (iL). The at least one analog/digital converter is a sigma-delta modulator. A method for measuring current using sigma-delta modulation and to the use of the electronic controller in a motor vehicle brake system is also described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Peter Oehler, Axel Schmitz, Micha Heinz, Frank Michel
  • Publication number: 20120032666
    Abstract: A method and system for measuring the current flowing through an electric meter. The electric meter includes a reactive sensor positioned in series with a bus bar contained in the meter. The reactive sensor includes an inductor and the voltage across the inductance is measured. A control unit contained in the electric meter calculates the current based on the detected voltage and the value of the inductor. The value of the inductor is determined by passing a reference current through the inductor at a known frequency, such as 50 Hz or 60 Hz, and the voltage drop across the inductor is measured. Once the value of the inductor is determined, the value is stored in the control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: SENSUS SPECTRUM LLC
    Inventor: David Hamo
  • Patent number: 8108695
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for reducing power drain of a component when the component is in a powered down state. The system comprises a power input configured to receive power, a power output to the component, monitor logic configured to monitor a level of power moving between the input and output, and control logic configured to control power transfer between the input and output. The control logic may be in communication with the monitor logic and configured to selectively restrict power flow between the input and output when the monitor logic senses that power flow between the input and output falls below a threshold level. A method comprises checking a power level between the input and output, and if the power level exceeds a threshold, then permitting substantially unrestricted power flow. If the power level is less than the threshold, then restricting the power level between the input and output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventor: John Love
  • Publication number: 20110316524
    Abstract: A diagnosis device and method of a voltage transformer can include a current transformer disposed at one side of an output port for generating a current variation according to an on/off operation of a power switch element; a first current detector configured to detect a forward direction current from the current transformer; a second current detector configured to detect a reverse direction current from the current transformer; a first voltage transformer configured to transform the forward direction current detected from the first current detector to a forward direction voltage; a second voltage transformer configured to transform the reverse direction current detected from the second current detector to a reverse direction voltage; and a diagnosis portion for comparing the forward direction voltage with the reverse direction voltage to determine whether or not an offset is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Sung Kyu Kim, Jaewon Lee, Tae Hwan Chung, Ki Jong Lee, Jong Kyung Lim
  • Publication number: 20110267729
    Abstract: An receptacle device with power-meter is provided. The receptacle device includes a power supply conversion unit configured to convert input power supply so as to measure a current value or a voltage value of the input power supply; an analog-to-digital conversion unit configured to convert an analog output from the power supply conversion unit into a digital signal, a control unit configured to output a control signal to control operation of the receptacle device by comparing the digital signal input from the analog-to-digital conversion unit to a predefined reference value; a switch unit configured to be turned on or off in response to the control signal from the control unit; and a display unit configured to display values of current, voltage, power, zero phase, and power factor of the input power supply, and display a menu that is controllable by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventor: Un Nam Yeo
  • Publication number: 20110254563
    Abstract: A method of monitoring the voltage transmitted through a pair of electrical connector devices is provided. The pair of electrical connector devices include a source connector coupled to a power supply and a load connector coupled to a load, the source connector being coupled to the load connector. The method includes determining the voltage utilized by the load, determining the voltage generated by the power supply, and determining an electrical resistance of the pair of electrical connectors using the determined voltage utilized by the load and the voltage generated by the power supply. A connector monitoring circuit and a portable X-ray detector including the connector monitoring circuit is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Donald Langler, Scott Petrick
  • Patent number: 8026713
    Abstract: An operating state detection technique is provided which makes it possible to accurately detect an abnormality of a high-frequency heating apparatus. An anode current detected by the anode current detection resistor 40 of a magnetron is inputted into the A/D converter terminal of a microcomputer 27 on a control panel circuit board side. The current is subjected to an analog-to-digital conversion to thereby obtain an anode voltage IaDC value. The microcomputer 27 determines an operating state based on a plurality of the anode voltage IaDC values thus read. Further, the microcomputer 27 obtains a summed value of the IaDC values corresponding to one period of the revolution of rotary antennas 68, 69 to thereby determines the operating state of the high-frequency heating apparatus 100 based on the summed value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hideaki Moriya, Nobuo Shirokawa, Haruo Suenaga, Shinichi Sakai, Manabu Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20110228433
    Abstract: An overcurrent relay able to detect a failure current and rapidly generate a driving signal to drive a circuit breaker in response to the failure current is disclosed. The overcurrent relay has at least one Hall sensor detecting a failure current and outputting a Hall voltage signal; a filter filtering the Hall voltage signal to output a filtered signal having only an exponent wave; a reference voltage provider providing a reference voltage; a comparator comparing the filtered signal with the reference voltage and outputting a trigger signal when the filtered signal reaches the reference voltage; and a circuit breaker driver being triggered by the trigger signal to output a driving signal for driving a circuit breaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Yuan-Pin Tsai, Nanming Chen
  • Patent number: 8010318
    Abstract: A system and method for nonintrusively determining electric motor efficiency includes a processor programed to, while the motor is in operation, determine a plurality of stator input currents, electrical input data, a rotor speed, a value of stator resistance, and an efficiency of the motor based on the determined rotor speed, the value of stator resistance, the plurality of stator input currents, and the electrical input data. The determination of the rotor speed is based on one of the input power and the plurality of stator input currents. The determination of the value of the stator resistance is based on at least one of a horsepower rating and a combination of the plurality of stator input currents and the electrical input data. The electrical input data includes at least one of an input power and a plurality of stator input voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Bin Lu, Thomas G. Habetler, Ronald G. Harley
  • Publication number: 20110204876
    Abstract: A sensor module includes a sensor element with a transducer for emitting an electric analog primary signal, which depends on a measured value; and a circuit assembly for conditioning the primary signal and for unidirectional data communication of a digital signal, which depends on the primary signal, to a superordinated unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: ENDRESS HAUSER CONDUORA
    Inventors: Tobias Mieth, Sven-Matthias Scheibe
  • Patent number: 7982452
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for diagnosing a half-bridge having a first and a second switching element. The method includes providing a half-bridge that has a first and a second switching element connected in series with each other. The first and the second switching element are driven on and off cyclically, with the switching elements during one drive cycle being alternatingly driven on and off such that they are alternatingly subject to a load current flowing therethrough. A current measuring signal is provided, representing a current flow through one of the switching elements. A first reference signal is provided. A first diagnostic signal is generated that is dependent on an integral of the measuring signal over a first integration period, and on an integral of a first reference signal over a second integration period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventor: Martin Feldtkeller
  • Publication number: 20110169479
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring an AC voltage. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises an AC voltage monitor, comprising a solid state electrical isolation device, enabled to (i) generate at least a first voltage measurement of an AC power source, (ii) generate a serial data stream frame based on the at least a first voltage measurement, and (iii) transmit the serial data stream frame via the solid state electrical isolation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventor: Martin Fornage
  • Patent number: 7960966
    Abstract: An operating state detection technique is provided which makes it possible to accurately detect an abnormality of a high-frequency heating apparatus. An anode current detected by the anode current detection resistor 40 of a magnetron is inputted into the A/D converter terminal of a microcomputer 27 on a control panel circuit board side. The current is subjected to an analog-to-digital conversion to thereby obtain an anode voltage IaDC value. The microcomputer 27 determines an operating state based on a plurality of the anode voltage IaDC values thus read. Further, the microcomputer 27 obtains a summed value of the IaDC values corresponding to one period of the revolution of rotary antennas 68, 69 to thereby determines the operating state of the high-frequency heating apparatus 100 based on the summed value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hideaki Moriya, Nobuo Shirokawa, Haruo Suenaga, Shinichi Sakai, Manabu Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 7928720
    Abstract: A system measures power conversion efficiency of a voltage regulator. A measurement setting module presets a maximum output current and a total measurement number, and calculates each target output current of the voltage regulator. A load adjustment module adjusts an impedance of the electronic load to equal current passing through the electronic load to the target output current of the voltage regulator. A calculation module calculates each output power and input power, and power conversion efficiencies for each sequence number of measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ting-Chung Wang
  • Publication number: 20110074413
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a multilevel inverter for generating an AC output voltage, having at least seven potential levels, from a DC voltage source such that the generated AC voltage produces a current in a gradient coil of a magnetic resonance imaging system is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Perumal Venkatesa
  • Publication number: 20110068772
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting a mode change in an electronic device are provided. The apparatus includes a rotary switch including a common port and a plurality of contact points corresponding to a plurality of modes, a comparator for comparing a voltage of the common port with a reference voltage to output a resultant signal, a measurement unit for measuring the voltage of the common port according to the resultant signal of the comparator, and a Micro Control Unit (MCU) for evaluating a changed mode based on the measured voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Sung-Su KIM, Man-Ho HAN, Tae-Yong KIM
  • Publication number: 20110057644
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic motor vehicle control system having at least one valve actuating circuit which controls a load current by means of pulse width modulation. The actuating circuit has at least one electronic current measuring circuit which has at least one measurement path with at least one analog/digital converter. The analog/digital converts an analog measurement signal of the load current into a digital measurement signal of the load current and is actuated or designed in such a way as to carry out a plurality of current measurements per PWM period. The at least one measurement path of the current measurement circuit has a signal conservation circuit which provides the analog measurement signal of the load current substantially unchanged, and independent of the actual load current, for at least a defined hold time (toff->on, ton->off).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Peter Oehler, Frank Michel, Micha Heinz, Axel Schmitz
  • Patent number: 7901546
    Abstract: The present invention includes systems, methods and apparatus for continuously, independently and in some cases remotely monitoring the operation of a current interrupter used to test a cathodic protection system, or the cathodic protection system itself, for verification of proper operation. Embodiments of the invention include electronic devices that may be temporarily attached to a current interrupter that is being used to test a cathodic protection system, or directly to the cathodic protection system itself. Embodiments of the invention monitor the activity of an interrupter by sampling the output (voltage and time) to identify the cycle(s) of the interrupter. The invention provides truly independent verification since it does not need to know in advance the sequence or cycle times of the current interrupter being monitored. The information obtained by the invention is output so that it may be provided to a user, displayed, downloaded or stored for future reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: M.C. Miller Co.
    Inventors: Melvin C. Miller, Marcelo Jakubzick, Juan Pablo Gutierrez
  • Publication number: 20110037457
    Abstract: A readout apparatus for a current type touch panel is provided. The readout apparatus includes a current-to-voltage converter, a voltage gain unit and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The current-to-voltage converter converts a sensing current of the current type touch panel to a sensing voltage. An input end of the voltage gain unit is coupled to an output end of the current-to-voltage converter for receiving the sensing voltage. An input end of the ADC is coupled to an output end of the voltage gain unit. An output end of the ADC generates a digital code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: HIMAX TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Kai-Lan Chuang, Guo-Ming Lee, Ying-Lieh Chen
  • Publication number: 20110031958
    Abstract: A system measures power conversion efficiency of a voltage regulator. A measurement setting module presets a maximum output current and a total measurement number, and calculates each target output current of the voltage regulator. A load adjustment module adjusts an impedance of the electronic load to equal current passing through the electronic load to the target output current of the voltage regulator. A calculation module calculates each output power and input power, and power conversion efficiencies for each sequence number of measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: TING-CHUNG WANG
  • Publication number: 20110025301
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for diagnosing a half-bridge having a first and a second switching element. The method includes providing a half-bridge that has a first and a second switching element connected in series with each other. The first and the second switching element are driven on and off cyclically, with the switching elements during one drive cycle being alternatingly driven on and off such that they are alternatingly subject to a load current flowing therethrough. A current measuring signal is provided, representing a current flow through one of the switching elements. A first reference signal is provided. A first diagnostic signal is generated that is dependent on an integral of the measuring signal over a first integration period, and on an integral of a first reference signal over a second integration period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventor: Martin Feldtkeller
  • Patent number: 7863887
    Abstract: A device utilizing an operating state detection technique is provided which makes it possible to accurately detect an abnormality of a high-frequency heating apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hideaki Moriya, Nobuo Shirokawa, Hauo Suenaga, Shinichi Sakai, Manabu Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20100327887
    Abstract: In general, this disclosure is directed to a mixer amplifier that can be utilized within a chopper stabilized instrumentation amplifier. The chopper stabilized instrumentation amplifier may be used for physiological signal sensing, impedance sensing, telemetry or other test and measurement applications. In some examples, the mixer amplifier may include a current source configured to generate a modulated current at a modulation frequency for application to a load to produce an input signal, an amplifier configured to amplify the input signal to produce an amplified signal, and a demodulator configured to demodulate the amplified signal at the modulation frequency to produce an output signal indicating an impedance of the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Denison, Wesley A. Santa
  • Publication number: 20100308795
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensor apparatus having a structure capable of obtaining digital values of signal components with a high accuracy using an A/D conversing circuit with the outputted digital value thereof having a small number of expressive bits. In the sensor apparatus, a voltage value corresponding to the amount of incident light to a photodiode is held by a holding circuit through an integrating circuit and a CDS circuit. Meanwhile, a voltage value corresponding to the amount of incident light to an adjacent photodiode is held by another holding circuit through an integrating circuit and a CDS circuit. The voltage values held by the respective different holding circuits are inputted to a subtracting circuit through different paths. The subtracting circuit outputs a voltage value corresponding to the difference between the two inputted voltage values. In an A/D converting section, the difference voltage outputted from the subtracting circuit is converted into a digital value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Seiichiro Mizuno, Haruhiro Funakoshi
  • Publication number: 20100289481
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for DC voltage measurement. First, an input DC voltage is received. A temporary disturbance signal is then added to the input DC voltage to obtain a disturbed signal, wherein an amplitude of the temporary disturbance signal is greater than precision level of an analog-to-digital converter. The disturbed signal is then converted from analog to digital with the analog-to-digital converter to obtain a plurality of samples with different values. An average value is then derived from the samples. Finally, the average value is output as a measurement value of the input DC voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: Silicon Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Li Shuo HSIAO
  • Publication number: 20100259246
    Abstract: A current transducer having an open/closed structure of a penetration piece through which a measurement target line passes, includes: one pair of Hall devices, formed on both end gaps of an upper side portion, for sensing a current amount of the line to be measured; a feedback coil, arranged on an upper portion of the Hall devices, for canceling out a magnetic flux density of a magnet by inducing a current of a reverse direction to a current conducted in the measurement target line; a closed loop current sensing circuit for measuring a current flowing into the feedback coil; and a signal conversion circuit section for converting a current form of the measurement target line measured from the closed loop current sensing circuit into a direct current conversion signal relative to an effective value required from equipment connected to the current transducer, and outputting the direct current conversion signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventor: Jang-Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 7808230
    Abstract: A voltage detection device that is connected to a DC circuit to which a DC voltage is applied and that detects the DC voltage applied to the DC circuit comprises a voltage conversion means for outputting a first voltage that increases as the DC voltage increases and a second voltage that decreases as the DC voltage increases, a voltage calculation means for inputting the first voltage and the second voltage outputted from the voltage conversion means and calculating the DC voltage based upon a difference between the inputted first voltage and the inputted second voltage, and a first failure judgment means for judging that failure has occurred if at least one of the first voltage and the second voltage is not inputted to the voltage calculation means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Morita, Hayato Nagakura, Shinsuke Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20100244845
    Abstract: A current integrating circuit device, including a current sensor to detect a current flowing through a current path, a first-order lag filter to filter an output of the current sensor, an A/D converter to convert an analog signal filtered by the first-order lag filter into a digital signal, and a proportional integrator to proportionally integrate the digital signal outputted from the A/D converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Ryuichi Morikawa, Masayuki Kubota, Mami Mizutani, Yukitaka Monden, Yuki Kuwano, Masahiro Tohara
  • Patent number: 7795859
    Abstract: Low cost millimeter wave imagers using two-dimensional focal plane arrays based on backward tunneling diode (BTD) detectors. Two-dimensional focal arrays of BTD detectors are used as focal plane arrays in imagers. High responsivity of BTD detectors near zero bias results in low noise detectors that alleviate the need for expensive and heat generating low noise amplifiers or Dicke switches in the imager. BTD detectors are installed on a printed circuit board using flip chip packaging technology and horn antennas direct the waves toward the flip chip including the BTD detectors. The assembly of the horn antennas, flip chips, printed circuit board substrate, and interconnects together work as an imaging sensor. Corrugated surfaces of the components prevent re-radiation of the incident waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan James Lynch, James H. Schaffner, Daniel Frederic Sievenpiper, Debabani Choudhury, Joseph Colburn, Joel N. Schulman, Harris P. Moyer, Andrew T. Hunter
  • Patent number: 7786720
    Abstract: The power level of an RF signal is detected using a circuit having relatively low DC offset, high dynamic range, small frequency and temperature dependence and low flicker noise. According to one embodiment, the power detector circuit comprises a chain of amplifiers and a passive mixer. The chain of amplifiers converts the RF input signal to a supply-limited RF square wave signal. The passive mixer passively mixes the supply-limited RF square wave signal with the RF input signal and in response generates a rectified output signal that tracks the amplitude of the RF input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventor: Torkel Arnborg
  • Publication number: 20100195357
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a corrected monitoring voltage, at least a portion of the method being performed by a computing system comprising at least one processor. The method comprises generating power at a first location; monitoring the generated power by measuring a first voltage proximate the first location; measuring a second voltage proximate a second location, the first and the second locations electrically coupled; and determining, based on the measured second voltage, a corrected monitoring voltage to compensate the measured first voltage for a distance between the first and the second locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: ENPHASE ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: MARTIN FORNAGE, MARV DARGATZ
  • Publication number: 20100176794
    Abstract: A signal detector and a signal detection method adapted for detecting a voltage signal are provided. According to a digital signal converted from a low voltage full wave or half wave signal and/or a mains AC signal inputted thereto, the signal detector and the signal detection method is capable of detecting a voltage level, and/or a frequency, and/or a zero point, and/or a phase of the low voltage full wave or half wave signal and/or the mains AC signal inputted thereto, and determining whether the detected factor is abnormal, and is further capable of outputting interrupt signal for subsequent processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Ting-Chin Tsen, Shu-Chia Lin, Wen-Yueh Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20100171510
    Abstract: A testing apparatus and a testing method are described and shown in the specification and drawing. The testing apparatus includes in-circuit testing equipment and a converter. The converter electrically connects an electric circuit and the in-circuit testing equipment. The in-circuit testing equipment includes an in-circuit testing module, a test instruction generation module and an feedback signal analysis module. The in-circuit testing module tests hardware of the electric circuit. The test instruction generation module sends a test instruction to the electric circuit through the converter when the electric circuit is supplied with power and after the hardware of the electric circuit passes the test by the in-circuit testing module, so that the electric circuit generates a feedback signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: Inventec Appliances Corp.
    Inventors: Zhong REN, Xue-Hui HU