Using A Magnetic Field Sensor Patents (Class 324/529)
  • Patent number: 11846666
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed to identify defects in a cable plant including a cable comprises a carriage and a roller attached to the carriage. The roller is configured to sit on a cable plant. A motor is attached to the carriage and is coupled to the roller to cause rotation of the roller in at least a first direction, to cause movement of the carriage across the cable plant. A transmitter is attached to the carriage and an antenna is coupled to the transmitter. The antenna is configured to emit an RF signal under the control of the transmitter. If there is a defect in the cable, the RF signal may enter the cable through a defect. Detection of the RF signal in the cable is indicative of the presence of a defect in the cable and the location of the defect. Methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Charter Communications Operating LLC
    Inventor: Patrick Phillip Hunter
  • Patent number: 11777324
    Abstract: This invention provides a monitoring system (10) including a detection unit (11) that detects that a detection value relating to a power storage system satisfies a condition; an identification unit (12) that identifies a type of fault occurring in the power storage system in accordance with the detection of the detection unit (11); and a decision unit (13) that decides an operation continuable time of the power storage system after the type of fault is identified, on the basis of the type of fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichiro Kosugi, Hiroshi Hanafusa, Hideki Tanabe, Yusuke Mori
  • Patent number: 11600989
    Abstract: Methods and systems include identifying an abnormal condition in a PFC circuit comprising an input configured to be coupled to a 3-phase power source and to receive input 3-phase power from the 3-phase power source, a bus having a plurality of bus lines, each bus line configured to be coupled to the input and to carry one phase of the input 3-phase power, a PFC leg including a contactor configured to selectively couple a capacitor bank included in the PFC leg to the bus. In response to identifying the abnormal condition, the contactor is controlled to decouple the capacitor bank from the bus, and after a reset button has been activated, the contactor is recoupled to the capacitor bank to resume operating the PFC leg to provide power factor correction to the input 3-phase power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC USA, INC.
    Inventors: Pradeep William A, Malatesha B. Chakrasali, Ravindra Narayan Kulkarni, Sutanu Basu
  • Patent number: 11555836
    Abstract: A current measurement apparatus includes: a current sensing element generating a signal according to a current to be measured; a current measurement means measuring an amount of the current to be measured from the signal outputted from the current sensing element; a communication unit receiving system information from at least one upper-level controller; a correction amount calculation unit calculating information on an amount of a corrected current based on the amount of the current to be measured and the system information; and a measurement operation unit outputting the information on the amount of the corrected current to the at least one upper-level controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: ELEXSEN CORP.
    Inventors: Ki Chul Hong, Ki Seok Kim
  • Patent number: 11499941
    Abstract: A flexible eddy current probe for non-destructive testing of a metallic object may include one or more plus-point coils and a flexible printed circuit having first and second parallel sides, third and fourth parallel sides, and a number of adjacent strips. The strips have first and second ends that are contiguous with the first and second parallel sides, respectively. Each of the strips may contain a pair of coils oriented along the length of the strip, a first coil being proximate to the first end and a second coil being proximate to the second end, and each of the coils is configured to excite an eddy current in the metal object or to sense an eddy current. Each of the strips may also be independently flexible from one another. The eddy current sensor array is configured to be scanned over the metal object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Zetec, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Timm, Evan Lloyd, Tom O'Dell, Bill Ziegenhagen, Evans Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11428751
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a cable verification system for efficiently tracing, identify, and performing cable verification testing for one or more telecommunication cables. The cable verification system comprises one or more auxiliary testing devices, a software application, a portable communication device, a network, a probe, and a network cable testing device. The one or more auxiliary testing devices each are capable of being remotely controlled and operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Starburst Industries LLC
    Inventor: Pablo Ordonez
  • Patent number: 11039284
    Abstract: A system for tracking vehicle position using a smart phone in the vehicle as an active transponder, which is detected by roadside equipment is disclosed. In an embodiment, the system uses existing RF transceivers on the smart-phone, such as Bluetooth LE or WiFi to periodically transmit an identifying message. Road-based equipment detects and locates the smart phone. In a further embodiment, the smart phone is alerted by roadside beacons and only then responds with its identification information. Processing can be performed either on the smart phone or by roadside or central office equipment as is the case in prior art active or passive transponder-based tolling systems. Vehicle location detection can be enhanced through the use of directional antenna matrices such as a Butler matrix. The system can be used for automated roadway tolling and monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Amtech Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Kelly Gravelle, John Todd Elson, Greg Lantz, Michael Melville, Paul Hamel
  • Patent number: 10962590
    Abstract: A magnet mounting apparatus including a cage, a magnet carriage and first actuator for use in testing Magnetic Tunnel Junction (MTJ) devices. The cage can be configured for mounting to an Automated Test Equipment (ATE). The magnet carriage can be configured for coupling to a wafer test magnet. The first actuator can be coupled between the cage and the magnet carriage. The first actuator can be configured to move the magnet carriage between a first position and a second position along a z-axis. The first position can be configured for locating the wafer test magnet within a predetermined proximity to a Device Under Test (DUT) wafer, and the second position can be configured for replacing a probe card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Spin Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Danny Yam, Jorge Vasquez, Roberto Cordero, Georg Wolf
  • Patent number: 10794935
    Abstract: A current sensor includes a bus bar through which a measured current is carried, a pair of shielding plates that include a magnetic material, and are arranged to sandwich the bus bar in a thickness direction of the bus bar, and a magnetic detection element that is arranged between the bus bar and one of the shielding plates, and detects an intensity of magnetic field caused by the current carried through the bus bar. The shielding plate has a length of not less than 20 mm in a length direction of the bus bar, and a width of not less than 24 mm and not more than 38 mm in a width direction orthogonal to the length direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: HITACHI METALS, LTD.
    Inventors: Ken Okuyama, Katsuya Akimoto, Naoki Futakuchi, Haruyasu Komano, Jun Umetsu, Yujiro Tomita
  • Patent number: 10726752
    Abstract: An array substrate is disclosed, which includes a substrate, at least one test line, an insulating layer, and an electrostatic shielding pattern. The at least one test line is disposed over the substrate. The insulating layer is disposed over the at least one test line. The electrostatic shielding pattern is disposed over, and insulated by the insulating layer from, the at least one test line in the array substrate. The electrostatic shielding pattern is configured to absorb, and guide out from the array substrate, static electricity to thereby avoid the static electricity from entering an interior of the array substrate via the at least one test line. A method for manufacturing the array substrate, and a display panel containing the array substrate are also provided in the disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., BEIJING BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zijin Lin, Haisheng Zhao, Xiaoguang Pei
  • Patent number: 10643511
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a flexible display such as an organic light-emitting diode display. A strain sensing resistor may be formed on a bent tail portion of the flexible display to gather strain measurements. Resistance measurement circuitry in a display driver integrated circuit may make resistance measurements on the strain sensing resistor and a temperature compensation resistor to measure strain. A crack detection line may be formed from an elongated pair of traces that are coupled at their ends to form a loop. The crack detection line may run along a peripheral edge of the flexible display. Crack detection circuitry may monitor the resistance of the crack detection line to detect cracks. The crack detection circuitry may include switches that adjust the length of the crack detection line and thereby allow resistances to be measured for different segments of the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Rui Zhang, Mohammad Hajirostam, Hung Sheng Lin, Mohammad B. Vahid Far, Sang Y. Youn, Zhen Zhang, Prashant Mandlik, Sun-Il Chang, Jie Won Ryu, Shengkui Gao, Hyunwoo Nho, Wei H. Yao, Yafei Bi, Yun Wang
  • Patent number: 10641806
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for detecting electrical discharges that precede electrical fires in electrical wiring. One or more sensor devices coupled to a circuit detect one or more signal waveforms generated by electrical activity on the circuit. The sensor devices identify one or more transient signals within the one or more signal waveforms, and generate one or more transient characteristics based upon the identified transient signals. A server communicably coupled to the sensor devices receives the one or more transient characteristics. The server analyzes the one or more transient characteristics to identify one or more electrical discharge indications. The server generates one or more alert signals when one or more electrical discharge indications are identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Whisker Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Marshall, Christopher Dale Sloop, Stan Heckman, Donnie Bixler, Eric Hoppmann
  • Patent number: 10281515
    Abstract: Devices and methods for arc fault detection, based on arc sound signals, are disclosed. The device can monitor sound data from a power device by one or more microphones arranged near the power device and extract the characteristic of the sound data. The device can also compare the characteristic of the sound data with the arc fault feature database, and then determine to generate an arc alarm signal. The device is a stand-alone device, which can provide the forecast and early warning of arc faults, and can improve the reliability of arc fault detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Li Ming Huang, Yue Zhuo
  • Patent number: 10254324
    Abstract: Device for electric and magnetic measurements. In some embodiments, an electrical probe can be configured to include an unshielded inner conductor at an end of a coaxial assembly to allow an electrical field to induce differential-mode currents in the coaxial assembly. In some embodiments, a magnetic probe can be configured to include a loop connected to inner and outer conductors of a coaxial assembly to induce a common mode current by a change in magnetic field flux through the loop. In some implementations, such probes can be utilized to obtain near-field measurements to facilitate applications such as electromagnetic (EM) shielding designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Dinhphuoc Vu Hoang, Guohao Zhang
  • Patent number: 10241136
    Abstract: A high voltage capacitor current monitor that attaches to a bushing on the exterior of a capacitor container (commonly referred to as a “can”). The capacitor current monitor, which draws operating power from the power line, detects the current flowing through the high voltage capacitor and can be used as part of a capacitor status monitor to detect internal failures down to the level of a single capacitor pack. The monitor may include a radio transmitter and/or a visual status indicator, such as an electronic flag, indicating the detection of a fault or capacitor failure. The current monitor may also include a power supply current transformer providing power to the monitor from the power line. Capacitor current measurements may be communicated with a remote transmission unit (RTU), which communicates with a central control station that schedules capacitor maintenance based on the data received from the status monitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Southern States, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph R Rostron, Josh Keister, Tan Tran, Karl Fender
  • Patent number: 10139455
    Abstract: Correlated double sampling (CDS) for magnetoresistive (MR) sensors is provided. Here the MR sensor output is sampled at two closely spaced times. The first sample is MR signal+baseline+noise and is sampled when the modulated magnetic field is non-zero. The second sample is baseline+noise only because it is sampled when the modulated magnetic field is zero. The difference between the first and second samples will have significantly reduced low frequency noise and baseline cancellation. Modulation of the electrical bias provided to the MR sensor can be used to provide a baseline signal for temperature compensation. In a second aspect, we provide MR sensor arrays having input and output multiplexing and demultiplexing for row and column line selection, in combination with a per-sensor switch to prevent noise accumulation and bandwidth reduction from idle MR sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Kyunglok Kim, Drew A. Hall, Shan X. Wang
  • Patent number: 9817050
    Abstract: A system for detecting a condition of a contactor configured to connect a battery string to a direct-current bus in a vehicle may include a controller configured to open or close the contactor. The system may also include an alternating-current (AC) signal source configured to provide an AC test signal when the controller opens the contactor. The system may further include an AC coupling circuit. The AC coupling circuit may include a primary side of the AC coupling circuit connected to the AC test signal source, and a secondary side connected to the contactor. The system may also include a detection circuit configured to receive an AC return signal corresponding to the AC test signal, and determine a defective condition of the contactor based on the AC return signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: FARADAY&FUTURE INC.
    Inventors: Phillip J. Weicker, Anil Paryani, Caio D Gubel, Long Huynh
  • Patent number: 9804111
    Abstract: The device for the impedance-based probing of materials described herein comprises a two-dimensional array of coils (1) and a measurement unit (4) adapted to determine, for each coil (1), a parameter indicative of its impedance. A pulse generator (3) is able to generate current pulses in each coil (1). The circuitry drives and senses the coil array through row and column lines (rp1 . . . rpN1, cp1 . . . cpN2, c21 . . . csN2) in order to minimize the number of required components. The device can, in particular, be used for probing concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: PROCEQ SA
    Inventor: Peter Stierli
  • Patent number: 9618543
    Abstract: A method and a control system for a multiphase-phase inverter system, the control system comprising an electric current detection circuit and a processor, wherein each phase of an electrical cycle is separated into a plurality of sections, inputs from the electric current detection circuit are received, each input indicating a measured phase current, and a phase current is calculated in each section, wherein the phase current calculation in at least one of the sections is determined from a changing ratio of the value of the phase current calculated from the measured values of the other phase currents in the multiphase system and the measured value of the phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: CONTROL TECHNIQUES LIMITED
    Inventor: Simon David Hart
  • Patent number: 9523729
    Abstract: A testing device for testing electric conductors includes a probe configured to measure a magnetic field caused by a current in one or more electric conductors of a device under testing (DUT). An output generator configured to generate output data, wherein the output data depend on the measured magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Michael Nelhiebel, Bernhard Zagar, Achim Osterloh, Petar Fanic
  • Patent number: 9215173
    Abstract: Systems and methods can provide for fiber node discovery using ranging delay data for broadband communication infrastructure. In some implementations, such systems and methods can provide for determining and storing fiber node ranging delay windows. In other implementations, such systems and methods can also provide for using ranging delay data from CPE devices to ascertain the associated fiber node. Improved diagnosis and discovery of fiber node associated CPE devices can, for example, help operators plan maintenance and thereby reduce truck rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Williams
  • Patent number: 9198500
    Abstract: A device for attaching to an electric power line conductor includes a housing with an opening for accepting the power line conductor and a first jaw assembly and a second jaw assembly. The first jaw assembly and the second jaw assembly are located within the housing and are configured to engage the power line conductor. The first jaw assembly is fixed relative to the housing and the second jaw assembly is movable relative to the housing. A first magnetic core is movable relative to the first jaw assembly and a second magnetic core is fixed to the second jaw assembly. The first magnetic core and the second magnetic core are configured to surround the power line. An actuator is connected to the second jaw assembly and is configured to move the second jaw assembly relative to the first jaw assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Inventor: Murray W. Davis
  • Patent number: 9020685
    Abstract: In the disclosed method of measuring contact failure and contact failure measuring device, the magnitude of the excessive response fluctuation of the inductive magnetic field around a harness under measurement when an external force is applied to a terminal fitting part of the harness is detected by a magnetic sensor, and the result is displayed as an index of the quality of the contact state of the terminal fitting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Maruyama, Hideyuki Tsuchikiri, Koji Fukuda, Atsushi Demachi
  • Patent number: 8847586
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor inspection apparatus has a rectangular frame including a stage, a probe card, and a plurality of magnetic field generating coils. A wafer-like array of magnetic sensors is mounted on the stage, which is movable in horizontal and vertical directions. The probe card includes a plurality of probes which are brought into contact with a plurality of magnetic sensors encompassed in a measurement area. The magnetic field generating coils are driven to generate a magnetic field toward the stage. A plurality of magnetic field environment measuring sensors is arranged in the peripheral portion of the probe card surrounding the probes. A magnetic field controller controls magnetic fields generated by the magnetic field generating coils based on the measurement result of the magnetic field environment measuring sensors. Thus, it is possible to concurrently inspect a wafer-like array of magnetic sensors with the probe card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8836318
    Abstract: A proximity electric current sensing device includes a main body, a first and second adjusting components, a first to third sensing units. The main body has a hole for a conducting wire to go through. The first and second adjusting components are disposed on a first and second sides of the main body respectively for adjusting a first and second positions of the conducting wire. The first to third sensing units are disposed on the main body and adjacent to a first to third sides of the conducting wire respectively for sensing a first to third magnetic fluxes of the conducting wire. The processing unit rotates the adjusting components to ensure the third sensing unit is right above the center of the conducting wire according to the first and second magnetic flux, estimates an installation position, and calculates an amount of an electric current according to the third magnetic flux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Shih-Hsien Cheng, Ming-Jhe Du, Lien-Yi Cho
  • Patent number: 8823369
    Abstract: A non-destructive inspection system that has particular application for inspecting a bore in a valve for defects. The system includes an inspection yoke having a ferromagnetic core, where a first coil is wound around the core in one direction and a second coil is wound around the core in an orthogonal direction so that orthogonal electromagnetic fields can be generated within the bore. A controller provides a current flow through the coils to generate the electromagnetic fields to detect defects in the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Segletes, Erik A. Lombardo
  • Patent number: 8564303
    Abstract: An anomaly on an elongate conductive member is detected by causing a source electromagnetic wave to propagate in a first direction along the elongate conductive member such that the source electromagnetic wave passes through the at least one anomaly. The anomaly causes a reflected electromagnetic wave to propagate in a second direction along the elongate conductive member. The second direction is opposite the first direction. The electric field of the reflected electromagnetic wave is sensed. The magnetic field of the reflected electromagnetic wave is sensed. A direction of propagation of the reflected electromagnetic wave is determined based on the electric field of the reflected electromagnetic wave and the magnetic field of the reflected electromagnetic wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: WaveTrue, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Frost, Ronald J Focia
  • Patent number: 8513958
    Abstract: A sensor is provided for testing a porous medium. The sensor includes a plurality of porous elements, a number of electrically conductive interface plates which is one greater than the quantity of elements, and the same number of conductors. Each element operates as a discrete variable capacitor, exhibits a different known liquid release curve, and includes a first axial opening. The elements are stacked one on top of another. Each plate includes a second axial opening. The plates are axially distributed within the sensor such that the first and second axial openings combine to form a longitudinal cavity that extends from the sensor's proximal end to its distal end, and each element is sandwiched between a different pair of plates. A distal end of each conductor is attached to a different one of the plates, and a proximal end is routed through the cavity to the sensor's proximal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Soilmoisture Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Whitney Skaling, Steve Riley
  • Patent number: 8368390
    Abstract: A well (2) doped for a conductivity type and provided as the sensor region is formed in a substrate (1) made of semiconductor material. Contact regions (4), arranged spaced apart from one another and doped for the same conductivity type as the well (2), are formed in a cover layer (3) that delimits the region with the conductivity type of the well. The contact areas (4) are electroconductively connected to the well (2) and provided for terminal contacts (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Austriamicrosystems AG
    Inventors: Martin Schrems, Sara Carniello
  • Patent number: 8339275
    Abstract: An arrangement that includes a transmitter unit and a receiver for locating a circuit interrupter associated with a selected branch circuit of a power distribution system. The transmitter is electrically interconnected with the selected branch circuit and produces a sequence of tracing signals in a branch circuit that is to be traced. Each tracing signal is transmitted and detected at times measured with respect to a detected known phase of the signal on the branch circuit. In one embodiment, tracing signals are transmitted on a branch circuit of a 3 phase power distribution system when the branch circuit to be tested has a positive phase and the other phases are negative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventor: Michael F. Gallavan
  • Patent number: 8269504
    Abstract: Described is a system for locating a partial break in a wire loop antenna. More specifically, the system generates two test signals, each test signal having a signal pattern distinguishable from the other. The system transmits the test signals by way of the antenna such that each test signal radiates from the antenna. The system receives the radiating test signals and generates a signal indicator for each test signal, each signal indicator reflecting properties of its respective test signal. Each signal indicator is analyzed with respect to the other to determine the location of the partial break. Because the test signals have distinguishable signal patterns, the analysis of the signal indicators is simplified and, in certain circumstances, made possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Duane A. Gerig
  • Patent number: 8222888
    Abstract: A sensor having a power management mechanism controlled by an external trigger signal is presented. The sensor includes a magnetic field signal generating circuit and a control circuit coupled to the magnetic field signal generating circuit. The control circuit, responsive to an externally generated trigger signal, initiates a supply current pulse that activates the magnetic field signal generating circuit for a predetermined time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Allegro Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul David, Nevenka Kozomora, Gary T. Pepka
  • Patent number: 8183854
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring linear velocity of a movable element relative to a stationary element includes a magnetic element fixed in relation to the stationary element. A soft-magnetic yoke is fixed in relation to the movable element to move with the movable element and is in non-contact relation with the magnetic element. A yoke pole is positioned proximate to the magnetic element and spaced therefrom by an air gap. The pole is magnetically coupled to the magnetic element so that a magnetic flux is generated in the air gap substantially orthogonal to the axis of motion. A conductive coil is coiled around a coil axis and is fixed in relation to the stationary element with the coil axis substantially parallel to the axis of movement. The coil is in non-contact relation with the yoke and resides between the magnetic element and the pole of the yoke in the magnetic flux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Calnetix Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Alexei V. Filatov
  • Patent number: 8085517
    Abstract: The present invention is implemented by deploying an enhanced ground fault detection and location apparatus and by using the apparatus in conjunction with specific circuit analysis methods, using the information generated by the ground fault detection and location apparatus. The ground fault detection and location apparatus comprises the functionality of a voltmeter, an ammeter, a phase angle meter, a frequency generator, and a variable power supply, thereby providing for a variety of signals and analyses to be performed on a unintentionally grounded circuit in an ungrounded AC or DC power distribution system. The ground fault detection and location apparatus is capable of operating in six different modes, with each mode providing a different capability or opportunity for detecting, analyzing, and locating one or more unintentionally grounded circuits in an normally ungrounded AC or DC power distribution system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventors: Warren A. Weems, II, Russsell L. Kincaid, Wayne L. Green
  • Patent number: 8058881
    Abstract: In order to make it possible to detect a fault location, safely, reliably and with a high response sensitivity, in a braided wire which has a plurality of individual wires, an electric current is passed through the braided wire and the magnetic field which is formed as a result of the braided wire through which current flows is detected by a sensor and is evaluated. A fault location is deduced if the measured magnetic field has an oscillation whose length is a multiple of a lay length of the braided wire, and in particular corresponds to the lay length. The method is also used in particular for non-destructive testing of the quality of a contact connection of a contact element to the braided wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: LEONI Bordnetz-Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Engbring, Matthias Ebert, Johann Hinken
  • Patent number: 8004377
    Abstract: A fault interrupter and load break switch includes a trip assembly configured to automatically open a transformer circuit electrically coupled to stationary contacts of the switch upon the occurrence of a fault condition. The fault condition causes a Curie metal element electrically coupled to at least one of the stationary contacts to release a magnetic latch. The release causes a trip rotor of the trip assembly to rotate a rotor assembly. This rotation causes ends of a movable contact of the rotor assembly to electrically disengage the stationary contacts, thereby opening the circuit. The switch also includes a handle for manually opening and closing the electrical circuit in fault and non-fault conditions. Actuation of the handle coupled to the rotor assembly via a spring-loaded rotor causes the movable contact ends to selectively engage or disengage the stationary contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Nicholas Brusky, Kurt Lawrence Lindsey
  • Patent number: 7982458
    Abstract: There is obtained a wire-rope flaw detector capable of realizing a high signal-to-noise ratio even in the case where only one detection coil is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Yoshioka, Hiroshi Sasai, Yoshinori Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 7969157
    Abstract: A fault detection circuit connects to and determines the occurrence of failure in an inverter circuit. The inverter circuit comprises three outputs to connect three groups of lamps respectively, and the fault detection circuit comprises a magnetic unit and a signal detection unit. The magnetic unit comprises first, second and third flux generating windings electrically connected to the three outputs of the inverter circuit, and a flux detection winding. If no fault occurs on the outputs of the inverter circuit, total flux generated by the flux generating windings is cancelled out. As long as any fault occurs on the outputs of the inverter circuit, flux generated by the flux generating windings cannot be canceled out, and the flux detection winding is electromagnetically coupled accordingly and driven by the generated flux to output a coupling signal, based on which the signal detection unit generates an alert signal accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignees: Ampower Technology Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Chan Ger, Chi-Chang Lu, Chia-Kun Chen
  • Patent number: 7880473
    Abstract: System and methods for monitoring electric machines are provided. A magnetic field associated with the electric machine is measured at one or more points external to the electric machine, wherein a respective magnetic field value is associated with each of the one or more points. The one or more measured magnetic field values are compared to one or more corresponding expected values, and a determination of whether a fault is present in the electric machine is made based at least in part on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Madabushi Venkatakrishnama Chari, Sameh Ramadan Salem, Sheppard Salon, O-Mun Kwon
  • Patent number: 7881890
    Abstract: A method of prioritizing anomalies in a linear conductor buried under a ground surface includes the steps of obtaining prioritization values for a plurality of anomalies along a linear conductor, and ranking the prioritization values according to magnitude. For each anomaly, a prioritization value is obtained by: locating an anomaly; for each anomaly, determining a current, a depth of cover, and a voltage gradient using spaced voltage probes; using the depth of cover and the voltage gradient, calculating an effective probe spacing of the first and second voltage probes relative to the anomaly on the conductor; and determining the prioritization value of the anomaly based on a linear relationship between the voltage gradient and the product of the current and the effective probe spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Spectrum External Line Inspection Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Shamus McDonnell, Mike Westman, Chijioke Ukiwe
  • Patent number: 7868776
    Abstract: A system is provided for adjusting settings of a power system device. In one embodiment, the setting adjusted is an identification setting of the power system device. The system generally includes an actuator having a select arrangement of magnets. A magnetic field sensor is provided for sensing the select arrangement of magnets. A microprocessor is coupled to the magnetic field sensor such that upon sensing the select arrangement of magnets by the magnetic field sensor, the microprocessor establishes an identification setting based upon the select arrangement. The various embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and system for adjusting settings of power system devices in harsh conditions, such as persistent in water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Kesler, Luther S. Anderson, Steven A. McMahon, Witold R. Teller
  • Patent number: 7830099
    Abstract: A system for driving a plurality of lamps comprises a lamp module, an inverter circuit providing currents to the lamp module, an interface for conveying the currents, a splitter, a balance unit, and a fault detecting circuit. The splitter receives the currents provided by the inverter circuit through the interface and distributing the currents to the plurality of lamps. The balance unit balances the currents provided to the plurality of lamps in the lamp module. The fault detecting circuit detects and reports a condition of at least one of the lamps by detecting signals generated from the inverter circuit. The fault detecting circuit receives the signal from a point in the system, such that the fault detecting circuit can detects the signals before the signal undergoes the distributing by the splitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignees: Ampower Technology Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Chan Ger, Chi-Chang Lu, Chia-Kun Chen
  • Patent number: 7821251
    Abstract: A current sensor includes a sensing circuit for sensing current and supplying indications thereof. The current sensor also includes two or more output terminals coupled to the sensing circuit that alternately supply respective indications of the sensed current according to control signals supplied to the current sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Alfano, Timothy J. Dupuis
  • Patent number: 7791353
    Abstract: Described is a ground loop locator. A readout on the ground loop locator indicates the presence of a ground loop when a ground loop exists in conductors linked by a current transformer of an exciter portion and a Rogowski coil of a detector portion. Also described are how to make and use the ground loop locator and methods of use for the ground loop locator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Paul M. Bellan
  • Patent number: 7710131
    Abstract: A non-contact circuit analyzer includes a computer system having a memory with circuit parameters stored therein wherein the circuit parameters specify acceptable operating characteristics for a circuit. The analyzer further includes a magnetic field detector coupled to the computer and configured to detect the magnetic field emitted from the circuit while operational. The magnetic field relates to current in the circuit. The analyzer further includes an electric field sensor coupled to the computer and configured to detect the electric field emitted from the circuit while operational. The electric field relates to voltage and/or operating frequency in the circuit. The magnetic field detector and the electric field detector are configured to send signals for the detected fields to the computer system. The computer system is configured to compare the signals to the circuit parameters to determine whether the circuit is operating within the circuit parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Radiation Monitoring Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Tim Tiernan
  • Patent number: 7598748
    Abstract: An inverter system which converts DC input into AC output and supplies the AC output to a load such as an FL tube detects change in a circuit current due to anomaly such as discharge without contacting with a current route. Relating to an inverter which converts DC input into AC output and supplies the AC output to a load, change in a circuit current of the inverter is detected through the medium of magnetic flux change due to the change in the circuit current caused by discharge. For example, if change in a current occurs in the circuit current of the inverter by disconnection discharge or ground-fault discharge occurring in a current route including a load of the inverter, magnetic flux change occurs in circuit wiring and a space of a core gap of a transformer of the inverter. The change in the circuit current is detected through the medium of the magnetic flux change without contacting with the circuit wiring or the transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Seiji Hachisuka, Masaru Tanaka, Minoru Senba, Shuuichi Yadoori
  • Patent number: 7496466
    Abstract: A positioning system is provided for mounting a circuit board or device to be tested, and for mounting a sensor assembly, the positioning system having the capability of moving the sensor assembly in three dimensions. The sensor assembly is positioned on the mounting assembly such that it is not in contact with the circuit board under test. The sensor assembly in operation samples the electromagnetic field emanating from the circuit under test and converts those signals into a representative electrical signal in a digitized format. A processing system compares the measured values from the sensor assembly with reference values from the same point in a circuit known to be good and provides an indication to the user as to whether the difference therebetween is within an acceptable range or outside thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Huntron, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander T. Farkas
  • Patent number: 7443172
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the location and indication of cable splices and cable faults is disclosed. An audio frequency generator can be coupled to a cable under test and the magnetic field generated by the cable can be monitored by a receiver. A receiver includes at least two antenna coils situated to detect orthogonal components of the magnetic field. From test values measured at various test points along the cable route, a degree of inhomogeneity of the magnetic field along the cable route can be determined and displayed. Location of a cable fault and cable splice is then apparent in the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Hagenuk KMT Kabelmesstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Volker Fraedrich
  • Patent number: 7439747
    Abstract: The location of high resistance ground faults within buried co-axial power cables can be detected by transmitting a combined signal along the cable at a primary frequency of 0.718 Hz and a primary amplitude in the order of 4,500 volts peak to peak. This combined signal also has an interlocked secondary frequency of 11,780 Hz superimposed on the primary frequency. The ratio between the reactive impedance and resistive impedance is such as to create a condition where the 0.718 Hz primary frequency's single source caused resistive current is usually larger than the sum or total of all that cable's per foot of length's 0.718 Hz reactive currents. This condition then enables the detection of the resistive ground faults by a manually transported Receiver. When needed the effective resistance and/or capacitance of the cable can be increased by a remote end connection circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventor: Terrence M. Beeman
  • Publication number: 20080191705
    Abstract: Described is a ground loop locator. A readout on the ground loop locator indicates the presence of a ground loop when a ground loop exists in conductors linked by a current transformer of an exciter portion and a Rogowski coil of a detector portion. Also described are how to make and use the ground loop locator and methods of use for the ground loop locator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventor: Paul M. Bellan