Of Electrically Operated Apparatus (power Tool, Appliance, Machine, Etc.) Patents (Class 324/511)
  • Publication number: 20140340095
    Abstract: A system and method described herein detects the presence of an unconnected condition in high voltage component cables in an electric or hybrid-electric vehicle having a high voltage battery or energy storage system. The system includes a mechanical motive device, such as a combustion engine, which is used to rotate an electrical machine (E-machine). The rotation of the E-machine induces a sufficient, yet safe, test voltage on the main high voltage cabling of the vehicle. Measurements are taken at various points near the individual high voltage components to determine if a high voltage cable has become disconnected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventor: Eric D. Schneider
  • Patent number: 8890535
    Abstract: A power supply aging system and a load balance control method. The power supply aging system includes: a system share supply unit (201) for producing a DC voltage for the need of the system constant current balance, a renewable load unit (202) for converting a low DC voltage outputted by a unit under test (200) to a high DC voltage, a DC to AC converting unit (203) for converting the high DC voltage to the AC voltage needed by the unit under test. The AC voltage is transmitted to the unit under test through a renewable AC bus. The system does not need any isolation transformer or the authorization from power supplying enterprises. The system can balance the DC load sharing, reduce the cost, improve the efficiency of electrical energy feedback and reduce the energy waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventor: Hon Ki Wong
  • Publication number: 20140333138
    Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a method of operating a UPS system, the method comprising receiving, at an input of a first UPS, input power from a power source, generating, with a first analysis circuit, a first signal indicative of a characteristic of the input power, receiving, at the analysis circuit, a second signal from a second analysis circuit of a device coupled to the power source, the second signal indicative of a characteristic of input power received at the second analysis circuit, analyzing with the analysis circuitry, the first signal and the second signal, determining, whether an improper wiring condition exists at the input, in response to a determination that an improper wiring condition does not exist, providing output power to an output of the first UPS, and in response to a determination that an improper wiring condition does exist, de-energizing the first UPS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rajesh Ghosh, Mahima Agrawal, Pradeep Tolakanahalli
  • Publication number: 20140333323
    Abstract: The operation of electrical appliances receiving electrical power from an electrical system may be indirectly monitored using monitoring units engaged with outlets on branch circuits of the electrical system. Electrical systems providing power to appliances to be monitored in accordance with the present invention may comprise split phase alternating current systems, tri-phase systems, or any other type of electrical system. Known loads may be applied to calibrate the monitoring system. The monitoring system may measure the power consumption of appliances operating on the electrical system and/or detect possible fault conditions. The application of a known load to each phase of the electrical system for calibration permits different portions of the electrical system to be isolated and, therefor, provides improved accuracy in monitoring power consumption and detection of potential fault conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: HORIZON ANALOG, INC.
    Inventors: Ronald Byron Kabler, Robert Leon Lutes, Alain Charles Briançon, Curtis Scott Crawford, Christopher Allen Giacoponello, Jerald Frederic Johnson, Victor Andres Jara-Olivares, Marc Anthony Epard, Steven Jeffrey Goldberg
  • Publication number: 20140333322
    Abstract: The operation of electrical appliances receiving electrical power from an electrical system may be indirectly monitored using monitoring units engaged with outlets on branch circuits of the electrical system. Electrical systems providing power to appliances to be monitored in accordance with the present invention may comprise split phase alternating current systems, tri-phase systems, or any other type of electrical system. Known loads may be applied to calibrate the monitoring system. The monitoring system may measure the power consumption of appliances operating on the electrical system and/or detect possible fault conditions. Fault conditions may be detected by comparing obtained voltage or power signatures of appliances to expected voltage or power signatures. Expected voltage or power signatures may be obtained, for example, using historical data, a database providing typical voltage or power signatures, or through other means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: HORIZON ANALOG, INC.
    Inventors: Ronald Byron Kabler, Robert Leon Lutes, Alain Charles Briançon, Curtis Scott Crawford, Christopher Allen Giacoponello, Jerald Frederic Johnson, Victor Andres Jara-Olivares, Marc Anthony Epard, Steven Jeffrey Goldberg
  • Publication number: 20140329344
    Abstract: A method of testing a device includes setting a potential of a cap terminal of the device to a first voltage, setting a potential of a self test plate of the device to a testing voltage, and detecting a first displacement of a proof mass of the device when the cap terminal is set to the first voltage and the self test plate is set to the testing voltage. The method includes setting a potential of the cap terminal of the device to a second voltage, detecting a second displacement of the proof mass of the device when the cap terminal is set to the second voltage and the self test plate is set to the testing voltage, and comparing the first displacement and the second displacement to evaluate an electrical connection between the cap terminal and a cap of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter S. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20140327447
    Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for establishing compatibility between a field device or an interface device for a field device and a diagnostic system pertaining to a control system, to the output of which the interface device or field device can be connected. The diagnostic system is adapted to send, via the output of the control system, a test signal to the interface device or field device and to emit an error signal when an electrical response at the output of the control system lies outside an expectancy range. The circuit arrangement comprises voltage influencing means for influencing a voltage at the output of the control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: PEPPERL + FUCHS GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Jung, Peter Ball
  • Patent number: 8878547
    Abstract: A monitor for monitoring isolation resistance, impedance, or other isolation reflective conditions between vehicle systems as contemplated. The monitor may be useful in assessing insulation resistance between a high-voltage power net and a low-voltage power net. The monitor may be configured to assess a sufficiency of the insulation resistance based on a frequency response of the high-voltage power net.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Marc Deumal Herraiz, Albert Trenchs Magaña, Antoni Ferré Fàbregas
  • Patent number: 8879141
    Abstract: Methods and devices for calibrating and controlling the actuation of an analog interferometric modulator configured to have a plurality of actuation states. Devices and methods for calibrating an analog interferometric modulator to respond in linear relation to an applied voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chong U. Lee, John H. Hong, Marc M. Mignard, Alok Govil
  • Publication number: 20140320147
    Abstract: An electrical circuit includes a first circuit part and a second circuit part. A first electrical potential is applicable to the first circuit part, wherein a second electrical potential is applicable to the second circuit part. The two circuit parts are galvanically isolated from each other by an insulator, wherein the insulator includes a conducting portion. This conducting portion can be safely sensed by an additional circuitry, to detect if a full or partial contact to the first electrical potential or the second electrical potential has occurred due to a voltage shift or a current flow on the conducting portion, which is itself insulated. This sensing circuitry can incorporate protection elements to clamp voltages and limit currents to prevent destruction of connected circuitries in case of a fail of the insulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Wolfgang Scherr, Volker Strutz
  • Publication number: 20140320148
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting excess voltage drop (EVD) in a three-phase electrical distribution circuit includes a diagnostic system comprising a processor that is programmed to receive three-phase voltages and currents provided to terminals of the electrical machine, determine fundamental components of the three-phase voltages and currents provided to the terminals, and compute positive, negative, and zero sequence currents from the fundamental components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Santosh Kumar Sharma, Xin Zhou, Steven Andrew Dimino, Supriya Karnani, Snehal Kale, Rahul Choudhary, Debsubhra Chakraborty
  • Publication number: 20140292289
    Abstract: An energy saving device that is adapted to be connected to a power outlet and further connected to at least one electrical device, said electrical devices drawing power through the energy saving device, the energy saving device including testing means adapted to perform at least one installation verification test and communication means adapted to communicate a validation signal to a monitoring entity when a result of the installation verification test indicates that a correct installation has occurred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: EMBERTEC PTY LTD
    Inventor: Giuseppe Antonio Gelonese
  • Publication number: 20140157809
    Abstract: A generator set system for use with a refrigerated shipping container, the generator set system including a prime mover, a generator coupled to the prime mover, a generator set controller, and a generator set telematics unit. The generator set telematics unit determines a geographical location of the generator set, and the generator set controller performs pre-trip inspections on the generator set prior to the generator set leaving a pre-defined geographical area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dermott C. Crombie, Michael Stark, Arlo G. Eslinger, Randall S. Burnham
  • Publication number: 20140152321
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for monitoring power usage. A plurality of power usage cycles are monitored using a controller. Each of the power usage cycles includes a plurality of current draw periods. Each of the current draw periods has a different average current draw. A current draw reading is determined to be abnormal when the current draw reading meets a threshold associated with one of the current draw periods, while the one of the current draw periods is predicted to be active. An action is performed when the current draw reading is determined to be abnormal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Amperic Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Pasek
  • Publication number: 20140117991
    Abstract: A method of inspecting a glow plug including an inner conductor and an outer disposed member, where the inner conductor includes an electrically conductive heating unit and an energization member to provide an energization path to the heating unit, and the outer disposed member includes a housing for the heating unit and a metal tubular member disposed on an outer periphery of the energization member. The method includes inspecting for the presence of short circuit abnormality based on a value that varies in response to a current that flows through the inner conductor upon application of a high voltage higher than a voltage applied during normal use of the glow plug to the inner conductor for a time short enough to suppress a temperature rise of the inner conductor due to application of the high voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chiaki KUMADA, Shunsuke Gotoh
  • Publication number: 20140117998
    Abstract: A display device includes a display panel having a glass substrate, a first input pad formed on the glass substrate and a second input pad formed on the glass substrate, and a driver integrated circuit mounted on the glass substrate of the display panel using a chip-on-glass (COG) method. The driver integrated circuit includes first and second input bumps respectively coupled to the first and second input pads, and an internal ground line coupled to the first and second input bumps. The first input bump of the driver IC receives a test signal through the first input pad when a COG bonding test is performed, and receives a ground voltage when the display device operates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung-Ho Hwang, Dong-Hwan Lee
  • Publication number: 20140111218
    Abstract: Some of the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method comprising: during an operation phase, operating a rotating device at a first speed; during the operation phase, monitoring a first current consumed by the rotating device to operate at the first speed; comparing the first current to a second current measured during a calibration phase while rotating the device at a second speed, wherein the first speed is substantially equal to the second speed; and based on comparing the first current and the second current, predicting a possible failure of the rotating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Marvell World Trade Ltd.
    Inventors: Ravishanker Krishnamoorthy, Foo Leng Leong, Yayue Zhang, Edy Susanto
  • Publication number: 20140103938
    Abstract: A method of determining a condition of a heater cable, the method including the steps of providing an electrical voltage to the heater cable; and analyzing electrical signals generated in the heater cable to determine the condition of the heater cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: MSX, Incorporated
    Inventor: Thaddeus M. Jones
  • Patent number: 8698505
    Abstract: A measurement apparatus includes a display unit, a current detection unit configured to output a detection signal if an increase in a consumption current of the display unit is detected, a plurality of setting units each of which is configured to output an output signal, each of the plurality of setting units changing the output signal if the detection signal is received, and a diagnosis unit configured to receive the output signal, the diagnosis unit diagnosing the increase in the consumption current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shin Suzuki, Takashi Torimaru, Tooru Shimura, Fujikazu Sugawara
  • Patent number: 8692525
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical power tool, particularly an electric hand power tool, for operating with alternating current, having an electric motor, and electronic control device, and an electrical power switch for actuating the electric motor, wherein the electronic control device comprises a bias voltage output and a detection input, connected to each other by means of a voltage divider comprising a summation point and to the side of the power switch facing the electric motor, and the control device is further designed such that the potential at the detection input is monitored after actuating the power switch and used for checking whether the power switch is conducting, and that it is actuated again if the power switch was not conducting or returned to the non-conducting state during the monitoring, and that said checking and any renewed actuation of the power switch is repeated within a half-wave of the alternating voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Metabowerke GmbH
    Inventor: Bernd Wiesner
  • Publication number: 20140091808
    Abstract: A device, circuit, system, and method for contact separation detection is described. A contact separation detector includes a capacitive element configured to be coupled across a pair of electrical contacts and a current sensor coupled to the capacitive element, configured to measure a current through the capacitive element and output an indication of a separation state of the pair of electrical contacts based on the current as measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Arc Suppression Technologies
    Inventor: Reinhold Henke
  • Publication number: 20140035504
    Abstract: A method for monitoring at least one subsea electric machine supplied by a system for electric power transmission. The system has a power supply, a controller and an AC power line connecting the at least one machine with the power supply. The method includes the steps of: receiving at the controller, high speed data from at least one subsea sensor arranged between the subsea side of the AC power line and the at least one subsea electric machine, wherein the high speed data includes measurements of an electrical parameter for the at least one machine; and comparing the one or more measurements to a predetermined value. A system for electric power transmission arranged for operating at least one subsea load or electric machine is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Knut Rongve, Jan Wiik, Tor-Eivind Moen, Behrooz-Moghimian Hoosh
  • Publication number: 20140035595
    Abstract: A system configured to monitor an operating electrical device includes a testing channel coupled to the device. The device is coupled to an electric power source through at least one electric power transmission channel. The power source is configured to transmit electric power at a first frequency. The testing channel is coupled to the power transmission channel. The system also includes a signal generator coupled to the testing channel. The signal generator is configured to inject testing signals into the testing channel at a second frequency that is greater than the first frequency. The system further includes at least one apparatus magnetically coupled to the power transmission channel. The magnetically coupled apparatus is configured to present a first impedance to the electric power at the first frequency and present a second impedance to the test signals at the second frequency. The second impedance is greater than the first impedance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Prabhakar Neti, Pinjia Zhang, Manoj Ramprasad Shah
  • Patent number: 8604798
    Abstract: A short circuit detection module for a touch panel includes first and second short circuit detection circuits. The first short circuit detection circuit is coupled to a first conductive line of the touch panel. The first short circuit detection circuit is configured to drive the first conductive line with a first signal having a first logic level. The second short circuit detection circuit is coupled to second, adjacent, conductive line of the touch panel. The second short circuit detection circuit is configured to drive the second conductive line with a second signal having a second logic level that is complementary to the first logic level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Anthony Junior Casillan, Yannick Guedon, Dianbo Guo
  • Patent number: 8587335
    Abstract: Wireless electronic devices may include a transceiver, an antenna resonating element coupled to the transceiver via a transmission line path, transceiver and antenna impedance matching circuits, and other circuitry. The transceiver and the impedance matching circuits may be formed on a first substrate. The antenna resonating element may be formed using a second substrate. The antenna resonating element may be decoupled from the first substrate during testing. First and second sets of test points may be formed at first and second locations long the transmission line path. During testing, a test probe may mate with the first set of test points, whereas an impedance adjustment circuit that serves to electrically isolate the antenna impedance matching circuit from the transceiver may mate with the second set of test points. The impedance adjustment circuit need not be used if the antenna impedance matching circuit is decoupled from the transceiver during testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Gregg, Joshua G. Nickel
  • Patent number: 8587322
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for: a first DC bus operating to support a first DC voltage potential and for connecting to a DC input of a motor driver inverter circuit; a motor emulator circuit operating to emulate a polyphase motor and including polyphase output terminals for connecting to a polyphase output of the motor driver inverter circuit; a second DC bus operating to support a second DC voltage potential to a DC input of the motor emulator circuit; and a bi-directional DC-DC power supply coupled between the first and second DC busses, and operating to both: (i) add voltage potential to the first DC voltage potential to produce the higher, second DC voltage potential on the second DC bus, and (ii) subtract voltage potential from the second DC voltage potential to produce the lower, first DC voltage potential on the first DC bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: E & M Power, Inc.
    Inventor: William A. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20130300429
    Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable media provide electric supply equipment 200 configured to perform diagnostics. The electric supply equipment 200 may include a receptacle 210 for forming a closed circuit loop. The electric supply equipment 200 includes a connector 203 for charging devices, such as electric vehicles 101. The connector 203 may include one or more conductors, some of which may be wrapped with insulation. When the connector 103, 203 is not used for charging, the connector 203 may be connected to a receptacle 210 of the electric supply equipment 200. Thus, the electric supply equipment 200, via the receptacle 210, may form a closed loop circuit with the conductors. Further, the electric supply equipment 200 may include a diagnostic unit 250 for performing diagnostic tests on the conductors. In particular, the diagnostic unit 250 may access ends of the conductors via the receptacle 210.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Jefferies, Benjamin W. Edwards, Matthew L. White, Konstantin Alexander Filippenko, Richard Karl Weiler
  • Patent number: 8581596
    Abstract: An inverter is forcibly operated to supply electric power to a motor, thereby performing detection of a current leakage, on condition that a power-on operation is performed, that the motor is stopped, and that determination as to occurrence or non-occurrence of the current leakage has not yet been made even once after the power-on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Kagoshima
  • Publication number: 20130293242
    Abstract: A circuit integrity detection system for use in detecting the integrity of a sensing wire in a heating pad wherein the integrity of the sensing wire is determined by first driving one end of the sensing wire with a low voltage electrical test signal from a microcontroller, and then checking whether the test signal is present on the other end of the sensing wire, in order to distinguish the test signal from the standard AC line voltage present on the sensing wire, the electrical test signal is preferably of a different frequency than the standard 50-60 Hz AC line voltage. In one embodiment, the test signal frequency is approximately 30 kHz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Gabriel Kohn, Leonard Horey, William G. McCoy
  • Patent number: 8564284
    Abstract: A method of evaluating the condition of a laminated core of an electric machine including positioning a magnetic flux injection excitation yoke extending between a pair of teeth of the laminated core, and the excitation yoke being wound with an excitation winding defining an electrical circuit for producing a magnetic flux excitation. Power is supplied to an excitation winding wound around the yoke to produce a magnetic flux in the yoke and to form a magnetic circuit through the yoke and the laminated core. A characteristic of the electrical circuit of the excitation winding is measured to identify a fault in the magnetic circuit corresponding to an eddy current between individual laminations in the laminated core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Vladimir Leonov
  • Publication number: 20130207664
    Abstract: According to the present invention, after a predetermined voltage is applied to a coil in a state in which the inside of an electric compressor is filled with dielectric liquid and the coil of a motor is immersed in the dielectric liquid, in a first test process, a test product in which a current value when a first predetermined time T1 elapses I1 is less than or equal to a first reference current value is determined as an acceptable product, in a second test process, among the test products in which the current value is greater than the first reference current value in the first test process, a test product in which a current value I2 when a second predetermined time T2 longer than the first predetermined time elapses is less than or equal to a second reference current value is determined as an acceptable product, a test product in which the current value is greater than the second reference current value is determined as a disqualified product, and the first reference current value is a predictive reference
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: Sanden Corportion
    Inventor: Mitsugu Ishihara
  • Patent number: 8508220
    Abstract: A method and system for evaluating the condition of a laminated core of an electric machine, and including a first yoke wound with a first winding and having a first pair of arms spanning between a first pair of teeth of the laminated core, and a second yoke wound with a second winding and having a second pair of arms spanning between a second pair of teeth. A power supply provides power to an electrical circuit defined by one of the first and second windings to produce a magnetic flux in the yoke corresponding to the one of the first and second windings and defining an excitation yoke. A monitoring module provides a measurement of a characteristic of an electrical circuit defined by the other one of the first and second windings to identify a fault corresponding to an eddy current between individual laminations in the laminated core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Vladimir Leonov
  • Publication number: 20130204552
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting device anomaly are provided. The apparatus including a database configured to store a plurality of electric power features; a measurement module configured to measure electric power of a device to generate electric power information; a judgment module connected to the database and the measurement module, configured to judge whether the device is abnormal based on the plurality of electric power features and the electric power information; and a detection module connected to the judgment module, configured to detect operation states of a plurality of elements in the device to generate a plurality of state signals when the judgment module judges that the device is abnormal; wherein, the judgment module further judges whether each element of the plurality of elements is abnormal based on the plurality of state signals, the electric power information, and the plurality of electric power features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Chung-Wei Lin, Lun-Chia Kuo, Yu-Jung Yeh, Jen-Hsiao Wen
  • Patent number: 8502542
    Abstract: An appliance and a method are intended to monitor a phase line of a section of an electrical energy grid line. The appliance comprises a device for monitoring a parameter of a phase line. The parameter is representative of routine operating conditions of the phase line and has a known propagation speed. The appliance also comprises a device for generating an event detection signal each time the parameter has a value that exceeds a threshold, and for storing a reception time when the detection signal is generated. The appliance also has a device for sending a signal representative of a geographic location of the end of the section and a device for performing a geographic location of the event once two consecutive detection signals are generated from the signal representative of the geographic location, and reception times associated with the two detection signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Hydro Quebec
    Inventor: Pierre Couture
  • Publication number: 20130180271
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided, which includes a dust detector, a voltage source, and a controller. The dust detector includes two opposing surfaces and a conductive dust sensor. The two opposing surfaces are disposed in spaced, opposing relation to allow for the passage of airflow between the surfaces, and the conductive dust sensor is disposed at a surface of the two opposing surfaces. The voltage source is configured and controlled to establish an electrostatic field at least partially between the two opposing surfaces to facilitate directing conductive particles in the airflow passing between the two opposing surfaces towards the dust sensor. The controller monitors for a leakage current within the conductive dust sensor and determines whether the leakage current exceeds a predetermined trigger level indicative of the presence of conductive dust, and if so, automatically indicates a conductive dust warning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joseph KUCZYNSKI, Melissa K. MILLER, Prabjit SINGH, Heidi D. WILLIAMS, Jing ZHANG
  • Patent number: 8482289
    Abstract: In a method for operating a power tool with a diagnostic device, wherein the power tool has an internal combustion engine, a generator as an energy supply, and an electronic control unit, wherein a diagnostic device is connectable to the electronic control unit, and wherein the electronic control unit has an operating mode and a diagnostic mode, a non-uniform voltage signal is supplied by the generator as an energy supply and a uniform voltage signal is supplied by the diagnostic device as an energy supply. The electronic control unit evaluates the voltage signal that is being supplied as an energy supply and switches to diagnostic mode when the voltage signal is the uniform voltage signal supplied by the diagnostic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Robert Böker, Heiko Däschner
  • Publication number: 20130169287
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method (3) for determining (33) a state characteristic value (28) of a electric device (4) controlled by a temporally variable control signal (17). The at least one state characteristic value (28) is determined using the frequency of the temporally variable control signal (17) and/or the switching characteristics of the temporally variable control signal (17).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: SAUER-DANFOSS GMBH & CO. OHG
    Inventors: Sven Fink, Matt Saterbak
  • Publication number: 20130113496
    Abstract: Testing integrity of electrical connections between cardiac resuscitation devices and electrodes connected thereto while the electrodes remain stored within a sealed package. Each electrode comprises a skin-contacting gel layer, a current-spreading layer, and an adhesive layer for adhering the electrode to the patient. An electrical lead for delivering a therapy pulse extends from the current-spreading layer of each electrode to the exterior of the package. A jumper element located within the package and connected to the current-spreading layer of each electrode provides a self-test electrical connection between the first and second electrical leads while the electrodes are adhered to a substrate within the package to permit testing the integrity of the electrical connection between the electrodes and cardiac resuscitation device prior to use of the electrodes. The jumper is configured so that the self-test electrical connection is broken when the user removes the electrodes from the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: David N. Craige, III, Pisit Khuon
  • Publication number: 20130112539
    Abstract: A removable circuit interrupter with circuit-testing capabilities. In one embodiment, a removable circuit interrupter is provided for use with a battery-powered device. The battery-powered device includes a battery and a load that is electrically coupled to the battery. The removable circuit interrupter is configured to be disposed between the battery and the load. The removable circuit interrupter includes a first outer surface having a conductive layer. The removable circuit interrupter further includes a second outer surface having an non-conductive layer. The conductive layer is configured to electrically couple to one of the battery and the load. The non-conductive layer is configured to electrically couple to another one of the battery and the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: Sanford L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Cacioppo, David J. Dean, Hector Padilla, Timothy Higgins, Daryl Vankampen
  • Patent number: 8421472
    Abstract: A testing apparatus for testing a welding apparatus is disclosed. The testing apparatus includes a receptacle, a fault indicator, and a power supply. The receptacle includes a grounding socket and a plurality of power sockets. The power supply is electrically coupled to the grounding socket, the fault indicator, and at least one of the plurality of power sockets. When a plug of the welding apparatus is matingly coupled to the receptacle, the fault indicator indicates whether an electrical resistance between a grounding prong of the plug and at least one of a plurality of power prongs of the plug is below a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Earl H. Sowders, Barry M. Boggs, F. Keith Waters
  • Patent number: 8410785
    Abstract: A quadrilateral distance module may be used to detect faults in an electrical power system. A resistive coverage of the quadrilateral distance module may be defined by an adaptive resistance blinder. The adaptive resistance blinder may be adapted to certain power system conditions, such as forward load flow and/or reverse load flow. A forward adaptive resistance blinder may be calculated in parallel with a reverse adaptive resistance blinder. The forward adaptive resistance blinder may use a polarizing quantity adapted for forward load flow conditions, and the reverse adaptive resistance blinder may use a polarizing quantity adapted for reverse load flow conditions. Fault detection may be performed by comparing both the forward and reverse adaptive resistance blinders to power system stimulus and detecting a fault when the stimulus satisfy either blinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Inc
    Inventors: Jorge Fernando Calero, Armando Guzman-Casillas, Gabriel Benmouyal
  • Publication number: 20130069666
    Abstract: A power supply aging system and a load balance control method. The power supply aging system includes: a system share supply unit (201) for producing a DC voltage for the need of the system constant current balance, a renewable load unit (202) for converting a low DC voltage outputted by a unit under test (200) to a high DC voltage, a DC to AC converting unit (203) for converting the high DC voltage to the AC voltage needed by the unit under test. The AC voltage is transmitted to the unit under test through a renewable AC bus. The system does not need any isolation transformer or the authorization from power supplying enterprises. The system can balance the DC load sharing, reduce the cost, improve the efficiency of electrical energy feedback and reduce the energy waste.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventor: Hon Ki Wong
  • Publication number: 20130069789
    Abstract: A method and a device recognizes mechanical impacts upon electrical installations. The device includes a functional electrical connection with a power supply network or a storage medium. At least one signal is recorded on the functional electrical connection in order to recognize the mechanical impact. Advantageously, the device can be incorporated into a photovoltaic installation with at least one solar current module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: Bender GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Bender GmbH & Co. KG
  • Publication number: 20130054160
    Abstract: The subject matter herein generally relates to electrical generators and motors, and more specifically, to electrical turbo-generators. In an embodiment, an electrical system includes a circuit. The circuit includes one or more rotating power delivery assemblies comprising a plurality of sliding surfaces that deliver power to a rotating load. The circuit also includes one or more radio frequency current transformers (RFCTs) that measure radio frequency (RF) signals corresponding to arcing events in the one or more rotating power delivery assemblies. The electrical system also includes a processor that receives the measurements from the one or more RFCTs and determines a health value of the circuit based, at least in part, on the received measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Karim Younsi, Ruben Jeevanasan Fair
  • Patent number: 8378611
    Abstract: A circuit for alarming abnormal state of a computer fan includes a detection circuit coupled to the computer fan, a controller coupled to the detection circuit and the computer fan, an alarm unit coupled to the controller. The detection circuit detects a power source and a speed control signal received by the computer fan, the controller determines the work state of the computer fan according to the power source, the speed control signal, and a speed signal received from the computer fan and raises an alarm through the alarm unit if the computer fan is not working normally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Song-Lin Tong, Hai-Qing Zhou
  • Patent number: 8373421
    Abstract: An ambulatory infusion device for infusion of a liquid drug into a patient's body over an extended period of time and methods thereof are disclosed. The device includes a sensor assembly, which produces a sensor assembly output based on an infusion characteristic of the ambulatory infusion device and based on a supply voltage/current, and a supply unit which is coupled to a sensor of the sensor assembly and generates the supply voltage/current. A sensor testing unit detects a failure of the sensor assembly, wherein the sensor testing unit is coupled to the sensor assembly and the supply unit, and the sensor testing unit carries out a sensor testing sequence. The sensor testing sequence includes controlling the supply unit so as to produce a variation of the supply voltage/current, and determining whether the variation of the supply voltage/current produces a corresponding variation of the sensor assembly output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics International AG
    Inventors: Stefan Lindegger, Reto Schrotberger, Alex Muri
  • Publication number: 20130033268
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dump load applied in a wind turbine generator; normally it is only operating to absorb the energy during faults. Therefore in the majority time of wind turbine generator operation, the dump load is not applied, and its health condition is unknown. This invention is about a method to check the dump load condition during normal operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Masoud Parkhou, Bing Li, Michael Casem Tumabcao
  • Publication number: 20130027052
    Abstract: A bicycle electrical system diagnostic device is provided for a bicycle electrical system in which several electric devices are connected. The diagnostic device includes a connecting section and an electric device recognizing section. The connecting section is configured to be connected to and disconnected from the electrical system. The electric device recognizing section is configured to communicate with the electrical system and recognize any of the electric devices while the connecting section is electrically connected to anyone of the electric devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Tetsuya MATSUMOTO, Akinori HASHIMOTO
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8340829
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus of detecting and compensating for DC residual fault currents on electrical systems. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus which is capable of accurately detecting one or more parameters of the fault current waveform and generating a compensation factor which compensates for specific pulsed DC fault components present. In this way, trip sensitivity is optimized for all types of fault current waveforms. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention operates by detecting one or more parameters of the encoded fault current waveform and generating a measure of symmetry comparing the mean squared values of negative and positive sections of said encoded fault current waveform. In use, various bands of the ratio of the mean squared sum of the positive and negative sections of said encoded fault current waveform are obtained, and a compensation factor is determined from a look-up table stored in a processing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Eaton Industries Manufacturing GmbH
    Inventor: Jonathan Keith Jackson