By Resistance Or Impedance Measuring Patents (Class 324/525)
  • Patent number: 11855441
    Abstract: An electrical receptacle including an outlet for electrically connecting to an external load, a load terminal electrically connected to the outlet, a line terminal electrically connected to a line and configured to receive line power, an interrupting device, and a testing circuit. The interrupting device electrically connects the load terminal to the line terminal when in a first condition and electrically disconnects the load terminal and the line terminal when in a second condition. The testing circuit is configured to determine when the external load is electrically connected to the outlet, and place the interrupting device in the first condition when the external load is electrically connected to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert Simon, Matthew Samojeden
  • Patent number: 11749491
    Abstract: An electron beam writing apparatus comprising, a cathode configured to emit an electron beam, a condition controller configured to change a condition under which the electron beam is emitted from the cathode in a plurality of ways, and a prediction unit configured to predict a life span of the cathode based on a temporal change in an amount of fluctuation of a beam characteristic of the electron beam to a change in the condition when the condition is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: NUFLARE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Satoshi Nakahashi, Nobuo Miyamoto, Takahito Nakayama, Shunji Shinkawa
  • Patent number: 11727836
    Abstract: A display device includes a display panel having a display area and a peripheral area. The display device includes a circuit having a comparator, and first and second sense wires disposed in the peripheral area and connected to the circuit. The comparator compares a first output signal output from the first sense wire and a second output signal output from the second sense wire to generate a comparison result. The circuit determines whether a defect is present in the display device based on the comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kwang Sae Lee, Jung Hoon Shim, Won Kyu Kwak, Ki Myeong Eom
  • Patent number: 11689099
    Abstract: A power converter and a method of operation thereof is disclosed including an input, an output, a sensor unit, a switched power converter, and a processor module. The power converter may convert an input power into an output power. The power converter may sense real-time measurements of the input power and the output power to determine a real-time calculated efficiency. The power converter may chop the input power into sized and positioned portions of the input power based on a plurality of determined operating parameters. The power converter may determine the operating parameters based on the real-time calculated efficiency and on a plurality of other operating factors/conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Volpe and Koenig, P.C.
    Inventor: Eran Ofek
  • Patent number: 11549903
    Abstract: A method is provided for subtractively processing a layer of etchable material formed over an electrically conductive surface region of a workpiece. The workpiece is immersed in a liquid solution, generally but not exclusively a conductive solution, that comprises an etchant for the etchable material, so that etching of the etchable material is initiated. An electric circuit is connected to include a control electrode, a reference electrode, and the electrically conductive surface region of the workpiece. The electric circuit is used to monitor the development process dynamically at each of a plurality of intervals during the etching. The etching is terminated when the electrochemical signal satisfies a criterion indicating that the etching is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Christian Arrington, Amber Lynn Dagel, Jamin Ryan Pillars, Christopher St. John, Jonathan Coleman, Carlos R. Perez, Andrew E. Hollowell, Kalin Baca
  • Patent number: 11479191
    Abstract: A vehicle battery system includes a traction battery having positive and negative terminals, and resistive circuitry including a first resistor electrically connected between one of the terminals and a common ground, a switch, and a second resistor that can be selectively electrically connected between the one of the terminals and the first resistor via the switch. The vehicle battery system also includes a controller that opens and closes the switch, and inhibits charge of the traction battery according to changes in voltage across the second resistor due to opening and closing of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Baojin Wang, Chingchi Chen, Benjamin A. Tabatowski-Bush
  • Patent number: 10928441
    Abstract: There is provided a circuit device including: a circuit board; a housing configured to support the circuit board; and a bending adjuster configured to adjust bending of the circuit board supported by the housing, wherein the circuit board is supported by the housing by having a portion of the circuit board fixed to the housing, and wherein the bending adjuster includes: a reference member mounted on the housing and spaced apart from a non-fixed portion of the circuit board supported by the housing, the non-fixed portion being a portion that is not fixed to the housing; and a distance adjuster configured to adjust a distance between the non-fixed portion of the circuit board and the reference member such that the circuit board is deformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Koichi Kanosue
  • Patent number: 10923404
    Abstract: An inspection method according to an embodiment is an inspection method of performing laser marking on a semiconductor device (D) including a substrate (SiE) and a metal layer (ME) formed on the substrate (SiE), and the inspection method includes specifying a fault point (fp) in the semiconductor device (D) by inspecting the semiconductor device (D), and irradiating the semiconductor device (D) with laser light having a wavelength that is transmitted through the substrate (SiE) from the substrate (SiE) side so that a marking is formed at least at a boundary between the substrate (SiE) and the metal layer (ME) on the basis of the fault point (fp).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Shinsuke Suzuki, Akira Shimase
  • Patent number: 10859623
    Abstract: At least one aspect of the disclosure is directed to a power conversion unit (PCU). The PCU includes a power converter circuit, a safety detection circuit including a plurality of known network impedances and a switch having a first end coupled between two of the plurality of network impedances and a second end coupled to an output terminal, and a controller communicatively coupled to the safety detection circuit and the at least one power converter circuit. The controller may be configured to operate the switch, determine one or more voltage values of the safety detection circuit, and calculate an insulation impedance based at least in part on the one or more voltage values, a position of the switch, and the plurality of known network impedances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC SOLAR INVERTERS USA, INC.
    Inventors: Emanuel Serban, Cosmin Pondiche-Muresan
  • Patent number: 10742106
    Abstract: An AC power supply system and a state monitoring circuit for the same, and a power consumption equipment are provided. The state monitoring circuit includes: a monitoring circuitry, configured to monitor current state information of the AC power supply system; and a control circuitry, coupled with the monitoring circuitry and configured to identify a current state of the AC power supply system based on the current state information monitored by the monitoring circuitry, and to determine whether to enable an AC power supply to deliver electrical energy to a power consumption equipment. Safety during an AC power supply process may be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: SHANGHAI LUMIXESS LIGHTING TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Zhong Chen, Xin Wu
  • Patent number: 10590915
    Abstract: A condition monitoring system for a wind turbine generator includes an orientation sensor installed in a nacelle and configured to detect an orientation of the nacelle and a condition monitoring unit configured to receive an output from the orientation sensor and perform at least any one of recording, analysis, or transmission of a signal. The condition monitoring unit preferably detects, based on the output from the orientation sensor, the movement along the rotation direction of the nacelle associated with a torsional oscillation of the tower. The orientation sensor can also detect slow directional fluctuations that are difficult to detect using an acceleration sensor or the like, and thus, can satisfactorily detect the rotation of the nacelle associated with the torsional oscillation of the tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toru Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10586743
    Abstract: An inspection method according to an embodiment is an inspection method of performing laser marking on a semiconductor device including a substrate and a metal layer formed on the substrate, and the inspection method includes specifying a fault point in the semiconductor device by inspecting the semiconductor device, and irradiating the semiconductor device with laser light having a wavelength that is transmitted through the substrate from the substrate side so that a marking is formed at least at a boundary between the substrate and the metal layer on the basis of the fault point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Shinsuke Suzuki, Akira Shimase, Shinsuke Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10514412
    Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying faulted segment(s) in a multiphase power network may include receiving a current measurement that was measured during a fault, obtaining a set of equivalent sequence impedances for the segments, building a set of sequence bus impedance matrices, selecting a segment, calculating coefficients for the segment based on the set of equivalent sequence impedances for the segment and the sequence bus impedance matrices, calculating an estimated per unit fault distance for the segment based at least partially on the current measurement and the coefficients, identifying the segment as a potentially faulted segment if the estimated fault distance for the segment is between about zero and about one, and repeating for each of the segments the calculating coefficients, calculating an estimated per unit fault distance, and identifying as a potentially faulted segment if the estimated fault distance for the segment is between about zero and about one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: ABB Inc.
    Inventors: Ning Kang, Mirrasoul Mousavi
  • Patent number: 10355473
    Abstract: A power safety device comprising a controller, a load monitor and switching circuitry, wherein the switching circuitry is operable in a first operation state in which a power supply side and a load side are connected by a lower impedance power conduction path or a second operation state when impedance between the load side and the power supply side is high so that hazardous operation current is prevented from flowing from the power source side, through the switching circuitry, and to the load side, wherein the load monitor comprises circuit arrangements to determine and/or monitor load condition on the load side and the controller is to operate the switching circuitry to operate in the first operation state upon detection of a non-hazardous load condition or a predetermined safe load condition on the load side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: ETON SOLUTIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Man Yau Law, Hin Hung Ng
  • Patent number: 10262934
    Abstract: A three plate MIM capacitor structure includes a three plate MIM capacitor, a first wire in a metal layer above/below the three plate MIM, a second wire below/above the three plate MIM, a third wire below/above the three plate MIM, a first via connected to the first test wire, a second via connected to a middle plate of the three plate MIM, and a third via connected to the top and bottom plates of the three plate MIM. The test structure may verify the integrity the MIM capacitor by applying a potential to the first test wire, applying ground potential to both the second test wire and the third test wire, and detecting leakage current across the first wire and the second and third wires or detecting leakage current across the second wire and the third wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew T. Kim, Baozhen Li, Barry P. Linder, Ernest Y. Wu
  • Patent number: 10214907
    Abstract: The present invention is a leak detection and location system that includes a waterproofing membrane; an underlayment disposed directly below the waterproofing membrane, wherein the underlayment is non-conductive and will become conductive only when saturated; a conductive layer disposed below the underlayment; a voltage source attached to the upper side of the waterproofing membrane and the lower side of the underlayment; a test set with two handheld poles and an indicator that indicates a difference between voltages detected by the handheld poles; and a device that creates an electrical field across the waterproofing membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Inventor: Clark Robert Gunness
  • Patent number: 10196153
    Abstract: The method allows to monitor a composite material comprising an epoxy resin filled with electrically conductive nanoparticles, wherein at least one electrical property i.e. impedance of the composite material is influenced by being subjected to a mechanical deformation. The method provides for inserting the composite material in an electric circuit emitting an electric signal whose value depends on the electrical property, so that, when the value of the signal overcomes a given threshold value, a warning message is delivered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: LEONARDO S.p.A.
    Inventors: Patrizia Lamberti, Giovanni Spinelli, Vincenzo Tucci, Luigi Vertuccio, Liberata Guadagno, Salvatore Russo, Generoso Iannuzzo
  • Patent number: 10156600
    Abstract: Method and device for impedance analyzer with binary excitation with improved accuracy, where the non-idealities of the sampling and preprocessing of the response signal (including aliasing effects) are taken into account by using of the overall system model with equivalent circuit diagrams of the analyzed object and the model of the preliminary analysis of the response signal. The analysis result is the equivalent circuit diagram with component values with the best match of the overall model analysis and of the preliminary analyze of the response signal. Further, the analysis result can be the impedance frequency characteristic or the classifier of the analyzed object. It could be reasonable to use the pre-calculated function (e.g. in the form of the look-up-table) for matching the results of the over-all model against the preliminary analyzed results of the response signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: TALLINN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Olev Märtens, Raul Land, Mart Min, Paul Annus, Marko Reidla
  • Patent number: 9991694
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a ground wire tone monitor, a multi-channel open loop ground wire tone monitoring system, and method for monitoring two or more ground wires in a power distribution system. A tone monitor includes a transmitter assembly and a receiver assembly. The receiver assembly on the power center communicates with the transmitter assembly on the machine side through a ground wire, so that this ground wire can be directly monitored, the location of the receiver and transmitter interchangeable. The multi-channel system includes up to 16-standalone tone monitor pairs used together to form a multi-channel system. Each tone monitor pair forms one channel in the multi-channel system and each channel operates on a unique preselected frequency. Filters are used to pass signals through to the receivers; the Amplitude of the signal is used to calculate the resistance of the ground wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Becker Mining America, Inc.
    Inventor: Sam Handshoe
  • Patent number: 9835673
    Abstract: A method analyzes a fault of an ungrounded power distribution system. The method determines a type of a fault in a line segment of the ungrounded power distribution system, and modifies a nodal admittance matrix of the line segment determined before the fault using a transformation matrix corresponding to the type of the fault to produce a faulty nodal admittance matrix of the line segment after the fault. The ungrounded power distribution system is analyzed using the faulty nodal admittance matrix and nodal admittance matrices of functional branches or line segments of the power distribution system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Hongbo Sun
  • Patent number: 9804218
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve a testing device or apparatus configured to test PTP contacts of user-specified cables capable of transmitting electrical signals along a particular path between two points, such as between a transmitter and a receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Inventor: Manuel Luna Diaz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9748150
    Abstract: Test line structures on a wafer are provided. A first testing pad is formed in a scribe line of the wafer. A second testing pad is formed in the scribe line. A transistor under test is formed in the scribe line and is coupled between the first testing pad and the second testing pad. A device is formed in the scribe line and is coupled between the first testing pad and the transistor under test. A third testing pad is formed in the scribe line and is coupled between the device and the transistor under test. A current passing through the transistor under test is measured via the second testing pad or the first testing pad when a first voltage is applied to the first testing pad, wherein the first voltage is determined according to a second voltage from the third testing pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yueh-Chuan Lee, Chia-Chan Chen, Ping-Chieh Chin
  • Patent number: 9733295
    Abstract: A sensor circuit, including at least a first sensor arranged to selectively receive a first test current; a first digital-to-analog converter, DAC, arranged to receive a first signal from the first sensor and output a first compensation signal in response thereto; a second DAC arranged to receive a second signal from a second sensor and output a second compensation signal in response thereto; and a controller operably coupled to the first and second DACs and operable to determine from at least one of: the first compensation signal and second compensation signal whether a short condition exists between the first sensor and the second sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Benoit Alcouffe, Sebastien Abaziou, Roberto Velazquez
  • Patent number: 9678026
    Abstract: A structural health monitoring system includes a signal transmission element and a sensor unit. The sensor unit is designed to feed a first signal into the signal transmission element and to read out a second signal from the signal transmission element. The signal transmission element has carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventor: Blanka Lenczowski
  • Patent number: 9454637
    Abstract: A technique validates results from a circuit simulation estimation program. The technique determines whether the estimated results satisfy Kirchhoff's current law (KCL), Kirchhoff's voltage laws (KVL), and power conservation for the original circuit. A reporting tool shows the validation results and may be customized by the user. The tool can show in the original circuitry where the estimated results may be inaccurate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Worldwide Pro Ltd.
    Inventor: William Wai Yan Ho
  • Patent number: 9423444
    Abstract: A method includes coupling an electrical cable, including multiple wires, to circuitry including a resistor bank connected to the wires. A gain of the circuitry is measured including the cable. Based on the measured gain, one or more of the wires in the cable that are defective are identified. An indication of the defective wires is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL), LTD.
    Inventor: Oleg Dulger
  • Patent number: 9377492
    Abstract: The device according to the invention for estimating the impedance of an ground connection, the ground connection being connected to the ground of an alternating electric network (14) comprising a phase connected to an electric phase conductor and a neutral connected to an electric neutral conductor, comprises: an electrical component having a predetermined value impedance positioned between the phase conductor and the ground connection; a first sensor capable of measuring a first value of a first property between the phase conductor and the ground connection and a second value of the first property; a second sensor capable of measuring a first value of a second property between the neutral conductor and the ground connection and a second value of the second property; and a computation member computing the impedance of the ground connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES SAS
    Inventors: Francois Vincent, Simon Tian
  • Patent number: 9341540
    Abstract: Systems, a software product, and a method for leak detection and location where there are multiple distinct layers of waterproofing or roofing membranes separated by insulation or other building materials to create a sealed roofing envelope and in which the system monitors leakage from the primary and secondary membranes and also monitors leakage from the edges of the roofing or waterproofing envelope formed by the membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Inventor: Clark Robert Gunness
  • Patent number: 9297846
    Abstract: Disclosed is a continuous broken sense lead detection system (“CBSLDS”) for use with a Kelvin-connected device under test (“DUT”), a power source, and detection system stimulus configured to provide a periodic stimulus voltage. The CBSLDS is configured to detect a discontinuity in a first sense lead, second sense lead, or both, that are in signal communication with the DUT. The CBSLDS includes a first transformer, second transformer, first DC-blocker, second DC-blocker, first detection module, and second detection module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Keysight Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Marko Vulovic
  • Patent number: 9219460
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein may involve dynamically adjusting the equalization of a playback device based on the environment in which the playback device is operating. One embodiment may involve emitting a first audio signal from a playback device, detecting, by the playback device, a second audio signal, where at least a portion of the second audio signal is a reflection of the first audio signal, in response to the detecting, determining one or more reflection characteristics, where each of the one or more reflection characteristics are based on at least the second audio signal, adjusting an equalization setting of the playback device based on the one or more reflection characteristics, and causing an audio track to play according to the adjusted equalization setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Bush
  • Patent number: 9160084
    Abstract: A housing structure is prevented from becoming complicated. A connector (A) includes: a housing (10) having a terminal accommodation chamber (11); a terminal fitting (20) inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber (11); a lance (14) which can lock the terminal fitting (20) in a detachment prevention state; a front retainer (30); a mold removal space (19) which serves to mold the lance (14); and a detection hole (35) formed in the front retainer (30), allowing insertion of a probe P from the front side and communicating with the terminal accommodation chamber (11) via the mold removal space (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiko Saitou, Yukihiro Fukatsu
  • Patent number: 9041410
    Abstract: A wind turbine blade with a lightning protection for a blade with a shell body has at least one lightning receptor arranged freely accessible in or on a surface of the shell body surface, and a lightning down conductor electrically connected to the lightning receptor and comprising an inner conductor made of electrically conductive material imbedded in a bedding insulation made of an electrically non-conductive material. The lightning down conductor further includes a first conductive layer having a resistance in the range of 10 to 10,000 Mega Ohm per meter (M?/m). The first conductive layer is located in a transverse distance from the inner conductor and being electrically isolated from the inner conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: LM Glasfiber A/S
    Inventor: Lars Bo Hansen
  • Patent number: 9043039
    Abstract: An arc detection and intervention system for a solar energy system. One or more arc detectors are strategically located among strings of solar panels. In conjunction with local management units (LMUs), arcs can be isolated and affected panels disconnected from the solar energy system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: TIGO ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Eizips, Shmuel Arditi
  • Patent number: 9030207
    Abstract: A method for monitoring an insulation fault in an electric network with at least one electric power system supplying electric power to one or more electric loads, and at least one insulation resistance monitor is provided, wherein the at least one electric power system includes at least one electrical power source, and wherein the at least one insulation resistance monitor monitors an insulation resistance between terminal leads of the at least one electric power source and at least one reference potential. The steps are performed of disconnecting the at least one electric power source from the one or more loads by opening each terminal lead; measuring the insulation resistance between the electric circuit of at least one electrical power source and the reference potential; measuring the insulation resistance for the total electric network; closing the second terminal lead with the first terminal lead open; and measuring the insulation resistance for the total electric network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Anders Lasson, Jörgen Kjellberg
  • Patent number: 9018957
    Abstract: A method of measuring squib loop resistance including non-linear elements in a restraint control module is disclosed by the present invention. The squib loop resistance is comprised of both linear and non-linear elements. The non-linear elements are linearized into resistive components about the bias points used to make the squib loop resistance measurement. The calculation of the linear squib loop resistance is provided by comparing the complete squib loop resistance and the linearized value of the non-linear elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: David Eiswerth, Vincent Colarossi, Stuart Andrew Koch
  • Patent number: 9018958
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring electrical parameters for an electrical system measures a first and second parameters of the electrical system between connections to the electrical system. A processor determines a third electrical parameter of the electrical system as a function of the first parameter and the second parameter. Wireless communication is provided between components of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Patent number: 9007064
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of evaluating electric joints includes: partially separating a terminal portion from a busbar portion of a joint formed between a battery cell terminal and an interconnector busbar; and measuring electric resistance between the terminal portion and the busbar portion. In another embodiment, the step of measuring includes connecting the terminal portion of the joint to a first clip of a first polarity and connecting the busbar portion of the joint to a second clip of an opposing polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Humi Widhalm
  • Patent number: 8981785
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting an earth fault on a three-phase electric line are provided. The apparatus includes means for determining a neutral admittance on the basis of a residual current and a residual voltage, means for comparing the determined neutral admittance to a predetermined operation characteristic to detect an earth fault on the three-phase electric line, and means for determining one or more harmonic components of the residual current and one or more harmonic components of the residual voltage. The harmonic components have frequencies n*fn such that n?2 and fn is a fundamental frequency. The means for determining a neutral admittance are configured to use at least one of the determined one or more harmonic components of the residual current and at least one of the determined one or more harmonic components of the residual voltage for determining the neutral admittance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Ari Wahlroos, Janne Altonen
  • Patent number: 8975899
    Abstract: An inverter device for feeding electrical energy from a DC-power source into a power grid includes a pair of bus lines to be connected to the DC-power source; a plurality of capacitors connected in series between the bus lines; a surveying topology surveying an integrity of the plurality of capacitors, and to provide a signal indicating a loss of integrity of one capacitor of the plurality of capacitors; a voltmeter measuring a voltage drop over the plurality of capacitors; a DC/AC-inverter; and a controller. in case of the signal indicating a loss of integrity of one capacitor of the plurality of capacitors, the controller compares the voltage drop over the plurality of capacitors to a lost integrity threshold voltage value, and reduces a current load to the plurality of capacitors by reducing the power uptake of the DC/AC-inverter, when the voltage drop exceeds the lost integrity threshold voltage value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Henrik Wolf, Thomas Wegener, Daniel Clemens, Harald Drangmeister
  • Patent number: 8970237
    Abstract: A system and method for low-cost, fault tolerant, EMI robust data communications, particularly for an EV environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel Brian Martin, Ian Casimir Dimen, Samuel Douglas Crowder
  • Patent number: 8963557
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for locating possible fault locations in an electrical power network. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for locating possible fault locations in an electrical power network. The method can include receiving fault information including one or more of: an identifier associated with at least one tripping device or a fault impedance value associated with a faulted section of the electrical power network; determining a fault direction; and generating a list of possible fault locations based at least in part on the received fault information and the fault direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ramon Juan San Andres, Blaine Madison Mucklow, Shitanshu Srivastava
  • Patent number: 8947097
    Abstract: A device for measuring electrical current, voltage and temperature in a conductor made of rigid material is disclosed. The conductor is formed from two conductor sections, between which an electrical resistor element is provided that is made of a material having greater resistance than the material of the conductor sections. In the region of the resistor element, a flattened area with a depression is provided, over which a measuring arrangement, through which a portion of the current flowing through the conductor flows, is placed in the manner of a bridge. In the measuring arrangement is arranged in the vicinity of a contact piece by means of which the conductor can be connected in an electrically conducting manner to another conductor such that the heat generated at the contact point is measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus-Georg Müller
  • Patent number: 8941387
    Abstract: An electrical waveform is received over an electrical power line. A plurality of nominal electrical parameters are determined for the electrical power network and the plurality of nominal electrical parameters are associated with a state of the electrical power network in the absence of at least one transitory electrical fault in the network. Subsequently, a plurality of electrical parameters of the electrical waveform are sampled when the at least one transitory electrical fault exists in the network. A plurality of inductances are determined based at least in part upon a comparison of the nominal electrical parameters and the plurality of sampled electrical parameters. The plurality of inductances are representative of inductances present in the network when the at least one transitory electrical fault exists in the network. The plurality of inductances are analyzed to determine a distance and/or direction to the at least one electrical fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignees: Howard University, San Diego Gas & Electric Company
    Inventor: Charles Kim
  • Patent number: 8941398
    Abstract: A heat spreader includes a plurality of sensors that indicate that the heat spreader is flat against a chip stack. One or more nodes within a sensor are electrically connected. The electrical resistance values of the connection may be compared to determine if the nodes within the sensors are relatively flat. Sensor flatness may be correlated to heat spreader flatness for determining whether the heat spreader is flat against the chip stack when the heat spreader is installed upon the chip stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Arvind K. Sinha, Kory W. Weckman
  • Patent number: 8917104
    Abstract: A testing structure, system and method for monitoring electro-migration (EM) performance. A system is described that includes an array of testing structures, wherein each testing structure includes: an EM resistor having four point resistive measurement, wherein a first and second terminals provide current input and a third and fourth terminals provide a voltage measurement; a first transistor coupled to a first terminal of the EM resistor for supplying a test current; the voltage measurement obtained from a pair of switching transistors whose gates are controlled by a selection switch and whose drains are utilized to provide a voltage measurement across the third and fourth terminals. Also included is a decoder for selectively activating the selection switch for one of the array of testing structures; and a pair of outputs for outputting the voltage measurement of a selected testing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Fen Chen, Roger A. Dufresne, Kai D. Feng, Richard J. St-Pierre
  • Patent number: 8897635
    Abstract: A signal is conducted from a controller module onto a network via a first coupling. The signal is transmitted across the network and received at one or more receiver modules via one or more second couplings. At the one or more receiver modules, the received signal is analyzed and based upon the analysis, a determination is made as to whether a fault has occurred in the network and/or where the occurrence occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Howard University
    Inventor: Charles J Kim
  • Patent number: 8888226
    Abstract: Crack detection circuits for printheads are described. In an example, a crack detection circuit for at least one printhead, includes: crack detectors formed on the at least one printhead; switches selectively coupling the crack detectors on each printhead to a communication bus; and a configuration circuit on each printhead coupled to control inputs of the respective switches, each configuration circuit responsive to a crack detection configuration input to control the respective switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: James M. Gardner, Chris Bakker, Eric T. Martin
  • Patent number: 8890553
    Abstract: A method detects one or more cracks in a piezoelectric element interposed between a pair of electrodes and deforms according to a voltage applied thereto through the pair of electrodes. The method includes steps of applying a voltage at least at a resonance frequency of the piezoelectric element to the piezoelectric element through the pair of electrodes, measuring a dielectric tangent between the pair of electrodes under the applied voltage, and detecting if there are cracks in the piezoelectric element according to the measured dielectric tangent. The dielectric tangent of the piezoelectric element at the resonance frequency has a large peak or no peak depending on whether or not the piezoelectric element has cracks. Accordingly, the method easily and surely detects if the piezoelectric element has cracks according to the dielectric tangent of the piezoelectric element measured at the resonance frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eijiro Furuta, Hajime Arai
  • Patent number: 8878552
    Abstract: A system includes a capacitor, a plurality of notification devices connected in parallel with the capacitor, and a controller. The controller is capable of determining capacitance of the capacitor during charge-up of the capacitor, and the controller is capable of determining the wiring impedance of the emergency notification circuit during discharge of the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: UTC Fire and Security Americas Corp., Inc.
    Inventors: Andres Cordoba Galera, William Edwards, Joseph Peter Calinski, Donald Becker, Antonio Gonzalez Requejo, Miguel Angel Perez Gandara
  • Patent number: 8836524
    Abstract: A detecting device is used for detecting a battery leak, a positive terminal of the battery is electrically connected to a first contact, a negative terminal of the battery is electrically connected to a second contact. The detecting device includes a first conductor, a second conductor electrically connected to the second contact, and a warning unit electrically connected between the first contact and the first conductor. The second conductor being electrically connected to the first conductor through electrolyte leaked out of the battery, thus the warning unit will be actuated to produce a warning signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lung Dai