Of Electrically Operated Apparatus (power Tool, Appliance, Machine, Etc.) Patents (Class 324/510)
  • Patent number: 11929475
    Abstract: A device for thermal control of a battery system includes a heating control module electrically connected to the battery system and a conversion device configured to control power output from the battery system. The heating control module is configured to measure a current through the conversion device, the measured current provided by the battery system of a vehicle during vehicle operation or provided by an energy source during vehicle charging. The heating control module is also configured to control the conversion device to generate an alternating current (AC) heating current using the measured current, and apply the AC heating current to the battery system to heat the battery system to a desired temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Neeraj S. Shidore, Chandra S. Namuduri, Lei Hao, Shuonan Xu, Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Satish P. Ketkar, Daniel Robert Tylutki
  • Patent number: 11904805
    Abstract: A tamper-resistant actuator includes a valid input, configured to deliver an input electrical current through a circuit. A high-pass filter is positioned within the circuit that degrades components of the input electrical current that are outside of a predefined current range. Components that are within the predefined current range define an output current. A transistor activates a switch when the output current from the high-pass filter is received by the transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: GHSP, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Cosimo Hunt, John Thomas Bagley
  • Patent number: 11726133
    Abstract: An insulation detection method includes closing a main positive relay and a main negative relay in a high voltage safety box of each electric cabinet in an energy storage system; controlling an insulation detection board to perform insulation detection at a main power management system, and to report an insulation detection result to a power conversion system; controlling, if the insulation detection result at the main power management system indicates no fault and no instruction of starting insulation detection at the power conversion system is received, the insulation detection board to continue performing the insulation detection; and instructing, if the insulation detection result at the main power management system indicates an insulation fault, a battery management system of each electric cabinet to control the main positive relay and the main negative relay in the high voltage safety box to turn off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED
    Inventors: Chaoyang Liu, Jinfeng Gao
  • Patent number: 11668762
    Abstract: A leakage current detection circuit is used for detecting a leakage current, includes a main winding, an auxiliary winding, a detection module and a signal output module used for outputting a pulse signal with pulse signals with positive and negative alternations, wherein the main winding is connected to a leakage current detection end and coupled to the auxiliary winding, and the auxiliary winding is respectively connected to the signal output module and the detection module. During the auxiliary winding in a preset state and a leckage current occurred, the leakage current coupled to the auxiliary winding is superimposed with the pulse signal, so that the current signal detected by the detection module is greater than the current signal detected when the pulse signal with pulse signals with positive and negative alternations is not applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: SHENZHEN POWEROAK NEWENER CO., LTD
    Inventors: Jianhua Lei, Yongbo Zhang, Hui Ma, Geng Qin
  • Patent number: 11604217
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an insulation detection circuit and a detection method thereof for a two-way on-board charger. The detection circuit comprises an inverter circuit, a first Y capacitor connected between an output live line and a ground line of the inverter circuit, a second Y capacitor connected between an output neutral line and the ground line of the inverter circuit, a live line sampling circuit and a neutral line sampling circuit which are connected with the output live line and the output neutral line of the inverter circuit, and a controller. The controller determines an insulation state of the two-way on-board charger according to two sampling voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: SHENZHEN VMAX NEW ENERGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Yingying Feng, Jinzhu Xu, Yuanzhao Zhang
  • Patent number: 11525868
    Abstract: A terminal supporting leakage detection and a detection method for performing leakage detection for the terminal is provided, the terminal may include: a first conductive unit, a second conductive unit, a first access end, and a second access end, wherein the first access end is configured to be connected to a ground line of a main board of the terminal through the first conductive unit and used to access a ground line of an external leakage detection apparatus, and the second access end is configured to be connected inside the terminal to a metal portion of a outer casing of the terminal through the second conductive unit and used to access a leakage test line of the leakage detection apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jicheng Zheng, Jiayi Yang, Jintao Li, Songmin Jin, Wenjie Zou
  • Patent number: 11336013
    Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, an antenna is presented. In some embodiments, an antenna includes a plurality of coil arrays arranged along a core; and a switch coupled to each of the plurality of coil arrays, the switch connecting the plurality of coil arrays in one of a plurality of configurations in response to one or more sensitivity control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Metrotech Corporation
    Inventor: Stevan Polak
  • Patent number: 11243267
    Abstract: Disclosed is a ground-wall insulation aging monitoring and locating method for a converter transformer. A neutral lead of three-phase windings on a valve side of a converter transformer is adjusted, an insulation leakage current of a certain phase winding on the valve side before aging is measured, a common-mode component and a differential-mode component in the insulation leakage current before aging are extracted, and a common-mode equivalent capacitance and a differential-mode equivalent capacitance before aging are calculated; a common-mode equivalent capacitance and a differential-mode equivalent capacitance after aging are calculated in the same way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Pinjia Zhang, Geye Lu
  • Patent number: 11204396
    Abstract: A method of monitoring an electrical system may include providing a ground fault detection unit, operating a transformer rectifier unit to provide DC power to a load, sensing, via a current sensor, a ground current at or about an output of the transformer rectifier, and/or monitoring a sensor output from the current sensor via the ground fault detection circuit. The ground fault detection circuit may be configured to detect ground faults at frequencies of at least 30 kHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Chaitanya Bhalwankar, Birger Pahl, Steve Schmalz, Galen Chui
  • Patent number: 11179791
    Abstract: A soldering and de-soldering station and systems including enhanced features for the soldering heating tools, load detection functionality, tip management, automatic tip temperature calibration, cartridge/handle position and movement sensing and interactive capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Inventors: Kenji Matsuzaki, Hitoshi Takeuchi, Kenta Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11165419
    Abstract: A power supply system includes: a semiconductor switch (1) that is turned on at the time of normal supply from a commercial AC power supply (5); a first current detector (CT1) including a transformer (10) and configured to detect an AC input current (I1); a second current detector (CT2) including a Hall effect sensor (20) and configured to detect an AC output current (I2); and a failure detector (30) that determines that one of a pair of thyristors (1a, 1b) included in the semiconductor switch (1) has misfired when the detection values from the first and second current detectors (CT1, CT2) are not equal at the time of normal supply from the commercial AC power supply (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshihide Nakano, Kazuhiro Hinagata
  • Patent number: 11009562
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensing apparatus including a magnetic flux concentrator and a plurality of single direction magneto-resistive sensors is provided. The magnetic flux concentrator has a first and a second end portions opposite to each other. The single direction magneto-resistive sensors have the same pinning direction and are disposed beside the magnetic flux concentrator. The single direction magneto-resistive sensors further include a plurality of first and second single direction magneto-resistive sensors. The first single direction magneto-resistive sensors are disposed beside the first end portion and further include a first and a third portions respectively being disposed two opposite sides of the first end portion. The first and a third portions are coupled to a first full Wheatstone bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: iSentek Inc.
    Inventors: Fu-Te Yuan, Meng-Huang Lai
  • Patent number: 10931097
    Abstract: Detection of electric power generator stator ground fault conditions and protection of the generator due to such conditions is provided herein. In one embodiment, a generator protection element may calculate generator third harmonic voltage quantities using measurements from the generator terminals, and determine a stator ground fault condition using the calculated generator third harmonic voltage quantity. A tripping subsystem may issue a trip command based upon detection of a stator ground fault condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Ritwik Chowdhury, Dale S. Finney
  • Patent number: 10925197
    Abstract: Methods and systems of suppressing ground faults. One system includes a power center including a transformer and a ground fault relay. The system also includes a first motor electrically connected to the power center. The system also includes a first variable speed drive connected to the first motor. The first variable speed drive is configured to vary the speed of the first motor. The system also includes a first common mode choke connected in a series-type connection between the power center and the first variable speed drive. The first common mode choke is configured to suppress a ground current induced by the first variable speed drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Joy Global Underground Mining LLC
    Inventor: Peter M. Dalton
  • Patent number: 10908199
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for measuring insulation resistance of a battery pack using an insulation resistance meter (IRM) circuit where only a negative relay is electrically conducted, thereby decreasing a risk of electric shock when insulation resistance is measured in a state where an external insulation resistor of the battery pack is broken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Chang Hyun Sung, Yasuhito Eguchi
  • Patent number: 10753984
    Abstract: A pallet understructure, in particular for transport and storage containers for liquids, which are equipped with an inner container made of plastic, with a closable filling neck and a draining neck for connecting a tapping armature, wherein the understructure has an outer jacket made of a metal grid or sheet metal, and a bottom (13) for supporting the inner container, corner feet and central feet arranged between the corner feet, as well as a bottom cross member (16), wherein at least the outer jacket and the bottom cross member are attached to at least two central feet, wherein the respective central foot, the outer jacket and the bottom cross member are coupled in a form-fitting fashion with the aid of a screw (45), wherein there is a bracket (28), which reaches around the bottom cross member (16) and around a peripheral edge of the outer jacket, wherein the screw (45) penetrates legs (29, 30) of the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: BENDER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Oliver Schaefer, Burkhard Macht, Frank Mehling, Steffen Kreuder
  • Patent number: 10725115
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a battery pack, an electric motor, and a contactor to electrically connect the pack and motor. The contactor is configured with a control circuit to electrically connect the pack and motor. The control circuit includes a leak detection sensor. The vehicle further includes a controller to output a leakage resistance associated with the pack. The leakage resistance is based on a voltage of the pack and a leak voltage detected by the sensor while the contactor is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaoguang Chang, Xu Wang, Chuan He
  • Patent number: 10725083
    Abstract: A radiofrequency (RF) source for use in testing radiofrequency interference (RFI) stresses has an RF transmitter emitting an electromagnetic field corresponding to at least one frequency, power, and state-of-polarization (SOP). Drives rotate the transmitter to emit, in a temporally continuous fashion, RF power and RF state of polarization from the RF transmitter in, respectively, every direction and every SOP orientation within an RF reflective structure in order to effectively characterize RFI stresses on said equipment to be tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: MPB TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Daniele Zanette, Eric J Jackson
  • Patent number: 10598718
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for insulation fault location in an IT power supply system, comprising the process steps: feeding of a test current, detecting of a test current portion in a branch of the IT power supply system and evaluating the detected test current portion. Furthermore, the invention relates to an insulation fault location for an IT power supply system having a test current generator for supplying a test current, having a test current sensor for detecting a test current portion in a branch of an IT power supply system and having an analyzing device for evaluating the detected test current portion. According to the invention, the insulation fault location system comprises a computing unit for adaptively determining a test current parameter of the test current depending on an electric system parameter of the IT power supply system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: BENDER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Dieter Hackl, Oliver Schaefer
  • Patent number: 10574049
    Abstract: A ground overcurrent control system includes ground circuit with a first section and a second section. The first section is electrically connected to a ground member of an electrical connector and the second section is electrically connected to a ground reference. A switch element is positioned between the first section of the ground circuit and the second section of the ground circuit. A controller is configured to determine the current within the ground circuit while current is passing through the switch element and, upon the current exceeding a current threshold, the switch element is modified to an open condition. Upon determining that the voltage between the first section of the ground circuit and the ground reference is less than a voltage threshold, a command is generated to modify the switch element back to a closed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Molex, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory L. Bella, Jeffrey R. Ciarlette
  • Patent number: 10437215
    Abstract: A configuration system and method adapted to perform a configuration or reconfiguration of applications run by an automation system, the configuration system including a processing unit adapted to process at least one natural language statement of a user requirement input by a user concerning a control and/or monitoring functionality of the automation system based on a user ontology of the user and/or an automation system ontology of the automation system to generate a formal requirements specification, and a matching unit adapted to match the generated formal requirements specification and formal component specifications read from a component library to derive a configuration deployment including one or several suitable components with configurations fulfilling the input user requirement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thomas Hubauer, Steffen Lamparter, Mikhail Roshchin, Ulli Waltinger
  • Patent number: 10386400
    Abstract: An abnormality detection device includes a measuring unit 14c and a determining unit 14d. The measuring unit 14c measures, among a power supply, a capacitor, a load circuit, a switch connecting the power supply to the load circuit, and ground of a vehicle body, which are mounted on a vehicle, a first voltage of the capacitor charged by serially connecting the power supply, the capacitor, and the body ground in a state where the switch is controlled to be turned off. The determining unit 14d determines that the switch is not fixed in an ON state and an insulation resistance of the vehicle is normal when the first voltage measured by the measuring unit 14c is less than a first threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignees: FUJITSU TEN LIMITED, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shota Kawanaka, Sho Tamura, Takahiro Okada, Hiromasa Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10265025
    Abstract: Methods and systems of catheterization include a flexible catheter adapted for insertion into a heart of a living subject. The catheter has a lumen for passing an electrically conductive fluid therethrough, which is propelled by a peristaltic pump. A fluid reservoir connected to the lumen supplies the fluid to the catheter. Electrocardiogram circuitry is connectable to the subject for monitoring electrical activity in the heart. An electrically conductive cable diverts induced charges in the fluid from the catheter electrodes, for example by shorting to a rotating element in the peristaltic pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD.
    Inventors: John Hardy Ashton, George Kamin, Jose G. Ramos
  • Patent number: 10177561
    Abstract: A selective protection circuit includes a current-limiting module and a control module, where the current-limiting module includes a switch unit, and the switch unit includes a first end, a second end, and a control end; the first end is connected to a positive electrode of a bus voltage of an HVDC power supply, and the second end is connected to a positive electrode of a power supply of a voltage pre-regulator circuit in a load branch connected to the current-limiting module; the control end is connected to the control module; and the control module is configured to output a control signal to the control end when a value of a total current flowing through the switch unit is greater than or equal to a preset threshold, so as to switch off the switch unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhenxing Zhang, Jiansheng Xu
  • Patent number: 10138872
    Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to a system and method for detecting lifting of a ground brush of a generator of an electrical power system connected to a power grid so as to prevent damage to the electrical power system (e.g. bearing failure). The method includes monitoring, via at least one sensor, a voltage signal of a rotor shaft of the generator. The method also includes determining at least one characteristic (e.g. amplitude and/or frequency) of the voltage signal for a predetermined time period. Further, the method includes determining whether the at least one characteristic of the voltage signal is above a predetermined threshold, wherein the at least one characteristic of the voltage signal being above the predetermined threshold is indicative of the ground brush being lifted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Carr, Zachary Troope, Brian Manikas, Erin Lee Krumenacker, Lauren Ashley Wyant, Christopher Robert Savio, Michael Graham McClure
  • Patent number: 10126345
    Abstract: A device and method is for insulation monitoring in a power supply system composed of a main system including a neutral point that is high-resistance grounded via a neutral-point resistance and, optionally, of at least one subsystem, wherein the main system and the subsystem each have a differential current measuring device for registering a differential current. The invention is based on feeding a measuring signal into the optionally branched HRG system via an active measuring method and registering the fault current driven by the measuring signal in the outgoing power feeds to be monitored by means of a differential current measurement and using the registered fault current in an evaluating device to determine the total insulation resistance of the power supply system and to determine the partial insulation resistances of the main system and potentially present subsystems. Furthermore, the insulation monitoring device can be employed for insulation fault location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: BENDER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Dieter Hackl, Eckhard Broeckmann, Burkhard Macht
  • Patent number: 10114058
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery capable of being selectively coupled to a voltage bus. An inverter selectively couples the voltage bus to an electric machine. A leakage detection circuit including a switching element is connected between the voltage bus and a vehicle chassis. When the traction battery is coupled to the voltage bus and the switching element of the leakage detection circuit is closed, a leakage path in the electric machine may be checked by controlling the inverter to couple terminals of the electric machine to a common conductor of the voltage bus. A leakage path is detected when a leakage resistance associated with the leakage path is less than a predetermined resistance. The leakage resistance is ascertained by measuring a voltage within the leakage detection circuit. A location of the leakage path may be determined based on which components are coupled to the voltage bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Xuemei Sun
  • Patent number: 10054625
    Abstract: A first electrostatic discharge measurement is received from a first sensor. The first sensor utilizes a wireless network to send the first measurement from a first stage of the assembly line of electronic components susceptible to electrostatic discharge damage. A second electrostatic discharge measurement is received from a second sensor. The second sensor utilizes the wireless network to send the second measurement from a second stage of the assembly line. An electrostatic discharge history is updated for the first assembly stage based on the first electrostatic discharge measurement. The electrostatic discharge history is updated for the second assembly stage based on the second electrostatic discharge measurement. A potential electrostatic danger condition is determined based on the electrostatic discharge history.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wei Guo, LiCen Mu, Qiuyi Yu, WeiFeng Zhang, Lin Zhao
  • Patent number: 10039878
    Abstract: A patient care system is configured for infusing fluid to a patient. The system includes a plurality of modular fluid infusion pumps that each has a connector for connecting to a modular programming unit or to one another. Systems and methods are configured for verifying that the connectors are reliably performing their functions or communicatively connecting the pumps to one another or to the programming unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: CareFusion 303, Inc.
    Inventor: Andre Gamelin
  • Patent number: 10018662
    Abstract: A first electrostatic discharge measurement is received from a first sensor. The first sensor utilizes a wireless network to send the first measurement from a first stage of the assembly line of electronic components susceptible to electrostatic discharge damage. A second electrostatic discharge measurement is received from a second sensor. The second sensor utilizes the wireless network to send the second measurement from a second stage of the assembly line. An electrostatic discharge history is updated for the first assembly stage based on the first electrostatic discharge measurement. The electrostatic discharge history is updated for the second assembly stage based on the second electrostatic discharge measurement. A potential electrostatic danger condition is determined based on the electrostatic discharge history.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wei Guo, LiCen Mu, Qiuyi Yu, WeiFeng Zhang, Lin Zhao
  • Patent number: 9941702
    Abstract: The fault ride-through and power smoothing system includes a buck converter for Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) of a PV array power system, a buck-boost converter to connect a supercapacitor energy storage system (SCESS) to the DC link, and a voltage source converter (VSC) to transfer the DC link power to the grid. Three independent controllers are implemented, one for each power electronics block. The effectiveness of the controllers is examined on Real Time Digital Simulator (RTDS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
    Inventors: Mohammad Ali Abido, Muhammed Y. Worku
  • Patent number: 9862053
    Abstract: A welding system includes a power supply coupled to a power source and configured to receive a power signal. The power supply includes power conversion circuitry having one or more silicon-controlled rectifiers (SCRs) and configured to rectify the power signal to generate a DC signal for use in providing welding power. The welding system also includes an SCR detection system configured to receive a signal indicative of an inductor current of the DC signal and a signal indicative of a voltage of the DC signal. The SCR detection system is further configured detect a non-firing, open, or shorted SCR in the one or more SCRs based on the inductor current and the welding voltage of the DC signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: James F. Ulrich
  • Patent number: 9817049
    Abstract: A device for the monitoring of a trailer connection box of a vehicle to which the electrical system of a trailer can be connected. The device may include a circuit having a first connection (VBB) for the connection with a positive potential of a voltage of an electric system of the vehicle. The device may include second connections (Brkl, POSLL, POS LR, TurnSL, TurnSR, RevL, FogL) for the connection with contacts of the trailer connection box. The device may include a current and/or voltage sensor (SI), with first controllable switches (S11, . . . , S17), being connected in series to one of the second connections (Brkl, POSLL, POS LR, TurnSL, TurnSR, RevL, FogL) each. In a closed state of the first switch (S11, . . . , S17) is connected in series to the second connection (Brkl, POSLL, POS LR, TurnSL, TurnSR, RevL, FogL), each of the second connections (Brkl, POSLL, POS LR, TurnSL, TurnSR, RevL, FogL) is connected via this first switch (S11, . . . , S17) with a first node (K).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Juri Dome, Jan Schmäling
  • Patent number: 9797850
    Abstract: A wear sensor comprising: an insulating substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface; a conductive electrode formed on said top surface of said insulating substrate; an insulating wear lining material having a first side secured to said top surface of said insulating substrate and conductive electrode, an opposite second side that will be worn down by relative motion between the wear sensor and a moving component; and one or more contact points where the electrical properties between the electrode and the moving component can be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Inventors: Iosif Izrailit, David L. Carnahan
  • Patent number: 9797939
    Abstract: A device for monitoring a neutral grounding resistor (NGR), including first and second NGRs electrically connected in parallel, a rectifier circuit electrically connected in series with the second NGR and a voltage source and a logic resistor electrically connected in series with the second NGR. A logic circuit measures current passing through the logic resistor and determines the resistance of the first NGR based on the measured current and the resistance of the second NGR. As such, a failed-open or failed-short condition of the first NGR may be identified based at least in part on the determined resistance of the first NGR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Vangool, Geoffrey J. Baker
  • Patent number: 9782600
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery system and method are disclosed, in which an implantable medical device (IMD) regulates its transfer of energy from a separate charger unit. For recharging, a charger unit is brought into proximity to the implanted device. An oscillating current is generated in a primary coil, located in the charger. By inductive coupling through an oscillating magnetic field, an alternating current is generated in a secondary coil, which is implanted in or near the implanted device. The alternating current then passes through a half-wave or full-wave rectifier to form a one-sided current, then passes through a regulator to form an essentially direct current, which is in turn directed to the rechargeable battery in the implanted device. The secondary coil has a controllable damped resonant frequency, which can be dynamically tuned away from the driving frequency of the primary coil by a variable resistor and/or by varying a duty cycle of a rapidly switched electrical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: ENVOY MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Paul Richard Mazanec
  • Patent number: 9706606
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting a ground fault in an induction furnace as well as an induction furnace are described. When a ground fault is detected by means of the ground-fault detector the ground fault is localized. By doing this it is determined if the ground fault is caused by a failure of the refractory lining or by other reasons. If the ground fault is caused by other reasons it is ascertained if it is caused by a defective magnetic yoke insulation. Furthermore, it can be ascertained which magnetic yoke of the induction furnace causes a ground fault. In this manner the induction furnace can be operated with improved security and smaller expense.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: ABP INDUCTION SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Ingolf Temme, Daniel Green
  • Patent number: 9696384
    Abstract: A system and method of simultaneously calculating an isolation resistance and a y-capacitance of a RESS may include the steps of: injecting a first signal into a RESS; recording an output signal from the RESS in response to the injection of the first signal; multiplying the first signal with the output signal to determine a first product; multiplying a second signal with the output signal to determine a second product wherein the second signal is orthogonal to the first signal; filtering the first product to determine a first constant; filtering the second product to determine a second constant; processing the first constant to determine a y-capacitance value; and processing the second constant to determine an isolation resistance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Fang Wang, Wei Liu, Jochen Lenz, Peter Andres
  • Patent number: 9684026
    Abstract: A PLC or other industrial controller programmed to locate ground faults in a networked high resistance grounded multi-drive system through network communications messaging to automatically place networked motor drives in various operational states to isolate individual drives for ground fault identification testing and selectively identify individual drives as suspected ground fault locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lixiang Wei, Jeffrey D. McGuire, Jiangang Hu, Zhijun Liu
  • Patent number: 9564750
    Abstract: A device for increasing fault clearing time is provided having a component part designed to identify a short circuit event and load resistors connectable in the event of a fault such that the turbine power transmitted to the shaft is electrically absorbed by the generator and converted into heat until the grid comes back online.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Martin Hiller, Olaf Michelsson
  • Patent number: 9547032
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a signal generation module that injects a signal in a pilot conductor with one or more AC components. The pilot conductor is connected to a grounding conductor of power cables connecting a power source to a load. A frequency change module periodically changes a frequency of each of the AC components, a current monitor module monitors current in the pilot conductor or ground return, an AC detection module determines an AC current for each AC component, and an AC threshold module determines if one or more of the AC currents determined by the AC detection module is below an AC threshold. A trip module opens a contact in response to determining that at least one of the AC currents is below an AC threshold for longer than an AC current time threshold. The contact disconnects the power source from the set of power cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: INTERMOUNTAIN ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Dale Curtis
  • Patent number: 9541595
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a signal generation module that injects a signal in a pilot conductor. The signal includes two or more AC components. Current in the pilot conductor is injected in a grounding conductor of power cables connecting a power source to a load, and the grounding conductor is connected to a ground return. A current monitor module monitors current in the pilot conductor or ground return, an AC detection module determines an AC current corresponding to each of the two or more AC components present in the monitored current, and an AC threshold module determines if one or more of the AC currents is below an AC threshold. A trip module opens a contact in response to determining that at least one of the AC currents is below an AC threshold for longer than an AC current time threshold. The contact disconnects the power source from the power cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: INTERMOUNTAIN ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Dale Curtis
  • Patent number: 9541596
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a signal generation module that injects a signal in a pilot conductor with one or more AC components. Pilot conductor current is injected in a grounding conductor of power cables connecting a source to a load. A current monitor module monitors affected current in the pilot conductor. A DC detection module determines a DC current present in the current. A DC minimum threshold module determines if the DC current is below a DC current threshold. An AC detection module determines an AC current of each frequency of the AC components. An AC threshold module determines if any of the AC currents is below an AC threshold. A trip module opens a contact after determining that the DC current is below the DC current minimum threshold and/or determining that at least one of the AC currents is below an AC threshold. The contact disconnects the source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: INTERMOUNTAIN ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Dale Curtis
  • Patent number: 9515854
    Abstract: An AC coupling circuit is provided that has a level shifter circuit having a p input voltage and an n input voltage and producing a p output voltage and a p output voltage. There is a common mode voltage adjustment feedback circuit configured to cause a common mode voltage output to tend towards a specified reference voltage, the common mode voltage output being an average of the p output and n output voltages of the level shifter circuit. In combination, the level shifter circuit and the feedback circuit allow the interconnection of a first circuit that operates at a first, unspecified, common mode voltage to be connected to a second circuit having a required common mode voltage. The level shifter may be formed of adjustable components such that the frequency response of the level shifter circuit can be adjusted to compensate for a frequency response of an interconnect between the first circuit and the second circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Cortina Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Shawn Lawrence Scouten
  • Patent number: 9499058
    Abstract: An electric charging apparatus is provided. The electric charging apparatus includes a ground determination signal generating unit measuring a current signal or voltage signal that is generated from power applied from a power supply unit, the ground determination signal generating unit generating a signal for determining whether the power supply unit is normally grounded on the basis of the current or voltage signal, a power control unit generating a power control signal on the basis of a ground determination detecting signal generated from the ground determination signal generating unit, and a power cutoff unit cutting power supply to a target device to be charged on the basis of the power control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chang Jun Im
  • Patent number: 9470730
    Abstract: The invention relates to a power supply cord with at least two conductors N, L for transferring a supply voltage with two protective earths insulated from one another, which at the first end are conductively connected with each other and at the second end there is a measurement device provided for measurement of the resistance of a measuring circuit comprising the PE and measurement conductor P, and wherein in case of exceeding the resistance, a warning signal is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Pruftech GmbH
    Inventor: Gunther Stangl
  • Patent number: 9310250
    Abstract: A flashlamp control system is provided with a capacitor that is statically electrically connected to the high voltage power supply, and a current sensing component is then electrically connected to the static capacitor and digital control electronics to monitor the charge current and/or the discharge current to static capacitor. A dynamically switchable capacitor electrically may also be connected to the high voltage power supply and digital control electronics for isolating the dynamically switchable capacitor from the high voltage power supply based on the monitored charge current and/or discharge current. One or more homogenizing element, comprise of an air gap, diffusing homogenizing element, imaging element, non-imaging element or light pipe homogenizing element, may be disposed in the light path proximate to the flashlamp, such as a multichannel distributor if present, to decrease the coefficient of variation of the optical signal, either temporally and spectrally, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Verity Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Arlos Bullock, John D. Corless, Mark Anthony Meloni, Mike Whelan
  • Publication number: 20150130379
    Abstract: In the ground fault detecting circuit, one terminals of first to third resistance elements are connected to first to third AC lines, respectively, the other terminals of the first to third resistance elements are commonly connected to one terminal of a fourth resistance element, and the other terminal of the fourth resistance element is connected to a line of a ground voltage. On the basis of a voltage across the terminals of the fourth resistance element, the ground fault detecting circuit detects whether a ground fault has occurred or not. Since a current does not flow through the fourth resistance element in the normal state and flows through the fourth resistance element after the occurrence of a ground fault, it is possible to detect the occurrence of the ground fault at a high accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akinobu Ando, Hiroyuki Ogino, Yasuaki Matsumoto, Shigeyuki Nakabayashi, Yasuhiko Hosokawa
  • Patent number: 9024639
    Abstract: The present application describes, among other things, a ground fault detection system. The system includes an optocoupler, a current sink, and a first voltage source connected in series. The first voltage source can connect to a negative terminal of a battery unit. Upon connection between a positive terminal of the battery unit and a first node at a ground zero reference level, current can flow through the optocoupler and the current sink to cause the optocoupler to output a ground fault detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Elite Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Yuan Dao, William Schlanger
  • Patent number: 9024640
    Abstract: A PV system includes a plurality of PV strings configured to generate a string output power responsive to received solar irradiation, with a source conductor and a return conductor being provided from the PV strings. One or more DC voltage regulators are electrically connected to the PV strings on at least one of the source or return conductors, with the DC voltage regulator being configured to regulate the voltage of a respective PV string or group of strings. A controller selectively controls a voltage output by the DC voltage regulator and is programmed to periodically cause the DC voltage regulator to alter the voltage of a PV string or group of strings, detect a change in current in the respective PV string(s) responsive to the altering of the voltage, and perform at least one of a PV string degradation detection and causal diagnosis and a grounded conductor fault detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Yu Liu, Charles John Luebke, Christopher Scott Thompson