With Voltage Or Current Signal Evaluation Patents (Class 324/713)
  • Patent number: 8975901
    Abstract: Measurement devices, systems, and methods to measure a high field conductivity of a fluid are provided herein. The measurement device includes a fluid cell, a pair of electrodes, a voltage switch, and a measurement unit. The fluid cell is on an inclined plane to receive the fluid. The pair of electrodes are connected to the fluid cell. The pair of electrodes are spaced apart from one another to receive the fluid therebetween and positioned parallel to one another to pass an electrical current therethrough. The power unit provides a high voltage power supply to one electrode of the pair of electrodes. The measurement unit measures the electrical current that passes between the pair of electrodes through the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Henryk Birecki, Omer Gila, Michael H Lee, William D Holland
  • Patent number: 8972216
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a power regulator according to various aspects of the present invention may comprise a sensor adapted to generate a measurement of a voltage or a current. A memory may store a correction parameter that corresponds to the measurement, and a correction system may be adapted to adjust the measurement according to the correction parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Benjamim Tang, Chun-Yen Lin, Rohan Samsi, Jinghong Guo, Tim M. Ng, Richard Pierson
  • Patent number: 8963574
    Abstract: A device for detecting a fault attack, including: a circuit for detecting an interruption of a power supply; a circuit for comparing the duration of said interruption with a first threshold; and a counter of the number of successive interruptions of the power supply having a duration which does not exceed the first threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SAS
    Inventor: Francesco La Rosa
  • Publication number: 20150048854
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring maximum power point tracking (MPPT) by measuring, external to a device that performs the MPPT, a DC current and a DC voltage to obtain a DC current value and a DC voltage value, wherein the DC current and the DC voltage are from a distributed generator (DG) coupled to the device. The method determining, external to the device, a constellation of data points, wherein each data point of the constellation comprises a DC voltage change and a corresponding DC current change resulting from an AC waveform, and determining, a dynamic resistance of the DG based on the constellation. The method computes a ratio of the DC voltage value to the DC current value, compares the dynamic resistance to the ratio, and determines, based on the comparison of the dynamic resistance to the ratio, if the DG is biased at a maximum power point (MPP).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventor: Martin Fornage
  • 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: 8947099
    Abstract: An equivalent power method for reducing the effects of voltage variation during at least one active material actuation event, includes determining an applied real output based on the ideal voltage of a voltage source, the corresponding ideal output of a controller, and a measured real voltage, and for providing voltage out of bounds compensation, by further determining a difference based on the maximum available power output of the controller during said at least one event, and applying the difference to determine the applied real output during subsequent event(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Xiujie Gao, Lei Hao
  • Patent number: 8941399
    Abstract: A first integrated circuit includes a first voltage output circuit for outputting a voltage, which proportionally increases in correspondence to an angular position of a throttle valve, a first protective resistor, a first output terminal connected to the first protective resistor, and a first abnormality detection circuit for outputting a first abnormality detection signal based on a voltage produced by the first protective resistor. A second integrated circuit is configured similarly to the first integrated circuit by a second voltage output circuit, a second protective resistor, a second output terminal, and a second abnormality detection circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuya Hara, Yoshiyuki Kono, Toru Shimizu, Takamitsu Kubota
  • Publication number: 20150022225
    Abstract: An electronic device includes: a detection circuit to detect a voltage difference between both ends of a wiring portion which is at least a portion of a power supply wiring that connects a power supply circuit and a receiver circuit; a current supply circuit to supply a pilot current having a first current value which is smaller than a second current value of a main current to the power supply wiring; and a control circuit to control supply of the pilot current and stop of the supply of the pilot current, to calculate a wiring resistance value of the wiring portion based on a first value of the voltage difference when the supply is stopped, a second value of the voltage difference when the pilot current is supplied, and the first current value and to calculate the second current value based on the first value and the wiring resistance value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Hiroshi Onimaru, Yuji Ishii, Kenji Rikimaru, Kenichi Kawazoe, Hiroshi Adachi
  • Patent number: 8937487
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer program products for evaluating current transients measured during an electrical stress evaluation of a dielectric layer in a semiconductor device. Measured current transients are fit to an equation representing a time dependence for stress induced leakage currents. The measured current transients are corrected based upon stress currents computed from the equation to define corrected current transients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven W. Mittl, Ernest Y. Yu
  • Publication number: 20150009715
    Abstract: Disclosed is a power saving current measuring apparatus which includes a sensing resistor; a switch that is connected to the sensing resistor in parallel; a controller that controls on and off operations of the switch; and a current measuring unit that measures current flowing in the sensing resistor, wherein when the switch is turned on, the controller controls the current to bypasses the sensing resistor to flow to the switch, and when the switch is turned off, the controller controls the current to flow in the sensing resistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Joung Hu Park
  • Patent number: 8928339
    Abstract: A structure is described that includes a first faying surface, a second faying surface for creating an electrical bond with the first faying surface, and a sensor operatively placed proximate the first faying surface and the second faying surface. The sensor includes a current port for injecting a fixed current through the electrical bond, a voltage port for sensing a voltage across the electrical bond induced by the fixed current, a processing device programmed to determine a resistance of the electrical bond based on the fixed current and sensed voltage, and a wireless interface for transmitting at least one of the sensed voltage and the determined resistance to an external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jason P. Bommer, Andrew M. Robb, Stephen Lee Fahley
  • Publication number: 20150001965
    Abstract: A method for determining the temperature of an electronic component in an electronic device comprises supplying a current to the electronic component via a power converter device, measuring an input current supplied to the power converter device, determining a power dissipation of the electronic component based on the measured input current, a value for an efficiency of the power converter device and an output voltage of the power converter device, and determining the temperature of the electronic component based on the determined power dissipation and a thermal resistance value for the electronic component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: Dialog Semiconductor GmbH
    Inventors: Alessandro Angeli, Michele DeFazio, Stefano Scaldaferri, Christian Wolf
  • Publication number: 20150002179
    Abstract: There is provided a voltage detector including a reference voltage generator that generates a constant reference voltage when a power supply voltage is higher than a predetermined threshold voltage, and a detector that, when the power supply voltage exceeds a voltage that is higher than the threshold voltage by a predetermined potential, detects whether the power supply voltage is higher than a defined voltage based on the reference voltage and outputs a detection result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Sachio Akebono, Kiyoshi Makigawa, Daisuke Hirono, Moonjae Jeong, Taiki Iguchi
  • Publication number: 20150006095
    Abstract: A method measures a resistance of an element that is operably coupled to receive an AC line voltage. The method includes obtaining a first voltage measurement value V1A from a first side of the element at a first time, and obtaining a second voltage measurement value V2A from a second side of the element at the first time. The method also includes obtaining a first current measurement value IA through the element at the first time, and obtaining a second current measurement value IB through the element at the second time. The method further includes obtaining a third voltage measurement value V1B from the first side of the element at a second time, and obtaining a fourth voltage measurement value V2B from the second side of the element at the second time. The processing device determines the resistance at least in part based on the values V1A, V2A, V1B, V2B, IA and IB. The determination based on an adjusted difference of V2B and V2A.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: John T. Voisine
  • Publication number: 20150002077
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for testing a USB cable applied in an electronic device. The electronic device includes a battery charged by a charger via the USB cable. The method can include determining at least two different values of charging currents. The method can further include generating a first control signal according to the determined values of charging currents. Sending the first control signal to the charger via the USB cable, to inform the charger to respectively charge the battery by charging currents with the determined values. Detecting values of at least two voltages output to the battery. Comparing a calculated variation degree between the detected values of voltages with a preset variation degree. Generating a first type of message according to a compared result between the calculated variation degree and the preset variation degree.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: YIN-ZHAN WANG
  • Publication number: 20140375342
    Abstract: A sensing circuit for a power PET. A first sensing FET senses current flow from load to ground. A second sensing FET senses current flow from ground to load. The current flows are converted to voltages, then added to generate a sensed output voltage. The specific amplitude of the sensed output voltage indicates the direction of the current flow. Resistive elements used to convert currents to voltages are configured as pairs of resistors having temperature coefficients of opposite polarity in order to compensate for temperature effects in the sensing circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Yew Tat Chuah, Zhao Tang, Wei Lu
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140368224
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first die, a second die coupled to the first die through a Through-Silicon-Via (TSV), and a test circuit suitable for measuring a resistance of the TSV by controlling an amount of current flowing through the TSV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Dong-Uk LEE
  • Patent number: 8914249
    Abstract: A resistance measuring apparatus includes: a voltage injector that injects an AC signal into a circuit by applying an AC voltage to an injection coil; a current measuring unit that measures an AC current produced in the circuit by the injection coil using a detection coil; a processing unit that calculates the circuit resistance from the AC signal voltage and the measured AC current; and a reference signal generator that outputs a binary reference signal that has a same period as the AC voltage and is synchronized to the clock. The voltage injector generates a stepped wave whose amplitude changes in synchronization with a clock, applies a signal based thereon as the AC voltage. The current measuring unit converts the current in the detection coil to a voltage signal, carries out synchronous detection using the reference signal, and measures the AC current based on the synchronous detection result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Hioki Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Imaizumi
  • Patent number: 8907656
    Abstract: An integrated current sensing apparatus includes a magnetic-field sensing element, a power supply circuit, an offset adjustment circuit, a gain adjustment circuit and a regulating unit. The magnetic-field sensing element is configured for sensing magnetic field, and correspondingly generating a sensing voltage. The power supply circuit is electrically coupled to the magnetic-field sensing element, for generating a constant current to the magnetic-field sensing element to control the sensing voltage. The offset adjustment circuit is electrically coupled to the magnetic-field sensing element, for adjusting an offset of the sensing voltage. The gain adjustment circuit is electrically coupled to the offset adjustment circuit, for amplifying the sensing voltage to a rated output voltage. The regulating unit is electrically coupled to the power supply circuit, the offset adjustment circuit and the gain adjustment circuit, for controlling the constant current, the offset and a gain value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Shih-Tsung Chen
  • Patent number: 8907680
    Abstract: A voltage detector for detecting a voltage generated in a second resonant coil that is disposed to face a first resonant coil and that performs at least one of electric power transmission and electric power reception to and from the first resonant coil in a contactless manner by means of electromagnetic resonance includes: a first high-impedance element having one end connected to one end of the second resonant coil; a second high-impedance element having one end connected to the other end of the second resonant coil; a low-impedance element connected between the other end of the first high-impedance element and the other end of the second high-impedance element and having an impedance smaller than each of those of the first and second high-impedance elements; and an output terminal for outputting a signal associated with a voltage applied across the low-impedance element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignees: Nippon Soken, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sakakibara, Shinji Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20140354308
    Abstract: A temperature-measurement input stage is disclosed. In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, a temperature-measurement input stage may comprise a resistor, a thermistor, a first multiplexor, an amplifier, a second multiplexor, and an output stage. The first multiplexor may be configured to couple the resistor to a first amplifier input during a first multiplexor state, and couple the thermistor to the first amplifier input during a second multiplexor state. The amplifier may comprise the first amplifier input, a second amplifier input coupled to a voltage reference, and an amplifier output coupled to a feedback path. The second multiplexor may be configured to route a feedback current to the resistor during the first multiplexor state and route the feedback current to the thermistor during the second multiplexor state. The output stage may be configured to provide an output current based on the feedback current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Merit Hong, David Harnishfeger, Kris Kaufman
  • Publication number: 20140354309
    Abstract: Control circuitry for controlling a spa water heater, wherein a microcontroller is configured to detect zero crossings of an A.C. line voltage from a voltage sense signal, to cause closing of a first heater relay and a second heater relay, to detect the time at which heater current is initially sensed by a current sensor after the initial closing of the second heater relay, to measure a time delay between the time that the second heater relay is closed and the time at which heater current is initially sensed, and to adjust the time at which a second closing of the second heater relay occurs such that zero crossings of the heater current occur at the same time as zero crossings of the voltage waveform. The control circuitry further includes a voltage sense circuit comprising a first diode connected in series with a current limiting resistance connected in series with a Zener diode, which is in turn connected in series with an optical coupler LED.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Watkins Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Larry Nicholson
  • Publication number: 20140347078
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for current sensing in switching regulators are disclosed. In certain implementations, a current sensing circuit senses current of a power stage of a power converter. The power converter can include first and second transistors. The current sensing circuit comprises a transistor that is a scaled version of one of the transistors of the power converter. A circuit of the current sensing circuit matches a drain-to-source voltage of the transistor of the current sensing circuit to the corresponding transistor of the power converter. A current mirror generates a current that mirrors the current flowing through the transistor of the current sensing circuit. A first resistor converts the mirrored current to a current sensed signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: ANALOG DEVICES TECHNOLOGY
    Inventor: Song Qin
  • Patent number: 8896323
    Abstract: Systems and methods for radiation-tolerant overcurrent detection are disclosed. In some embodiments, an integrated circuit may include a plurality of overcurrent detectors, each of the plurality of overcurrent detectors configured to detect a candidate overcurrent event. The integrated circuit may also include a voting circuit coupled to the overcurrent detectors, the voting circuit configured to indicate an overcurrent in response to receiving a selected number of candidate overcurrent events from the overcurrent detectors. At least one of the overcurrent detectors may be subject to detecting the candidate overcurrent in error, at least in part, due to exposure to ionizing radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Charles Parkhurst, Mark Hamlyn
  • Patent number: 8896331
    Abstract: A measurement instrument for measuring the impedance of a device under test (DUT) includes a first source of either a voltage or a current and a second source of either a voltage or a current, wherein the first source is connectable in a first feedback relationship with the DUT and the second source is connectable in a second feedback relationship with both the DUT and the first source. The first and second sources are operated respectively as a current source responsive to the current through the DUT and a voltage source responsive to the voltage across the DUT or operated respectively as a voltage source responsive to the voltage across the DUT and a current source responsive to the current through the DUT. The second feedback relationship has a narrower bandwidth than the first feedback relationship. The resulting voltage across the DUT and the current through the DUT establish the measured impedance of the DUT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Keithley Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Niemann
  • Patent number: 8890503
    Abstract: A power supply has first and second reference voltage sources; a step-down voltage generator, including a transistor supplied with a first voltage, a resistor string between the transistor and a second voltage, and an op-amp which controls the transistor, and outputting the voltage at a first node among nodes in the resistor string; switches, coupled to the nodes; a comparison circuit, which compares the voltage at a common node the switches coupling in common with the second reference voltage source; and a calibration control circuit, which selects any switch according to a comparison result to calibrate. During calibration, the calibration control circuit couples a second node among the nodes to a non-inverting terminal of the op-amp, and the first reference voltage source to an inverting terminal of the op-amp, and after calibration, couples the common node to the non-inverting terminal, and the second reference voltage source to the inverting terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventors: Hiroto Kodama, Akimitsu Tajima, Hideaki Kondo, Osamu Moriwaki
  • Patent number: 8890552
    Abstract: A flyback converter includes a transformer to convert an input voltage into an output voltage, a control circuit senses a primary current of the transformer to generate a current sense signal, and a sensing circuit is configured to sense a variation of the current sense signal between two time points for extracting the input voltage information therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Richtek Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Pei-Lun Huang, Kuang-Ming Chang
  • Patent number: 8884615
    Abstract: A sensor unit for the measurement of a current in a conductor (1) comprising at least one magnetoresistive sensor (5, 6) located at a radial distance from the outer surface of the conductor (1) is disclosed, wherein the conductor (1) has a circular cross-section, and wherein it comprises at least one auxiliary coil (7) for the generation of a bias magnetic field (Hbias) to the magnetoresistive sensor (5, 6) strong enough for inducing magnetic saturation in the magnetoresistive sensor (5, 6) continuously during the whole current measurement process. Further the use of such a sensor and a method for measuring the current in the conductor using such a sensor unit are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Rudolf Gati, Markus Abplanalp
  • Publication number: 20140327457
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for tracking energy consumption. An energy tracking system comprises at least one switching element, at least one inductor and a control block to keep the output voltage at a pre-selected level. The switching elements are configured to apply the source of energy to the inductors. The control block compares the output voltage of the energy tracking system to a reference value and controls the switching of the switched elements in order to transfer energy for the primary voltage into a secondary voltage at the output of the energy tracking system. The electronic device further comprises an ON-time and OFF-time generator and an accumulator wherein the control block is coupled to receive a signal from the ON-time and OFF-time generator and generates switching signals for the at least one switching element in the form of ON-time pulses with a constant width ON-time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventor: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • Publication number: 20140327458
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electronic circuit with an integrally formed capability of providing information indicative of a value of a current flowing in the electronic circuit, wherein the method comprises forming an electrically conductive wiring structure on a substrate, configuring a first section of the wiring structure for contributing to a predefined use function of the electronic circuit, and configuring a second section of the wiring structure for providing information indicative of the value of the current flowing in the electronic circuit upon applying a stimulus signal to the second section, wherein at least a part of the configuring of the first section and the configuring of the second section is performed simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Martin GRUBER, Angela Kessler
  • Publication number: 20140327459
    Abstract: A substrate of an electronic device may include a first test region and a second test region to measure resistance at a connection portion. The first test region and the second test region each comprise a plurality of measuring pad portions, a protective layer disposed on the plurality of measuring pad portions, and a contact assistance member disposed on the protective layer. The protective layer in the first test region comprises a first contact hole exposing the plurality of measuring pad portions. The contact assistance member in the first test region contacts the measuring pad portion exposed through the first contact hole. The protective layer in the second test region comprises two second contact holes exposing one measuring pad portion, and the contact assistance member in the second test region contacts the one measuring pad portion through the two second contact holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Won-Gu CHO
  • Publication number: 20140320153
    Abstract: An oscilloscope current probe system includes a probe amplifier unit, a probe head identifier, and first and second probe heads interchangeably connectable to the probe amplifier unit. Each probe head has a respective electrically-readable type identifier, a respective current input to receive a current to be measured, a respective internal sensing resistor in connected series with the current input, and a respective output at which a measurement voltage across the sensing resistor is output. The first and second probe heads differ in the resistance of their sensing resistors and the way their type identifiers read. The probe amplifier unit includes a differential amplifier to amplify the measurement voltage output by the probe head connected thereto. The probe head identifier is to read the type identifier of the probe head connected to the probe amplifier unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. JOHNSON, Edward Vernon BRUSH, IV
  • Patent number: 8872529
    Abstract: Provided is a component detection device, which is installable on component processing means which performs a predetermined operation to a conductive component interposed between one conductive member and another conductive member, the component detection device comprising a detection circuit (41) for distinguishing between the conductive component and a conductive foreign matter interposed between the one conductive member and the another conductive member, the detection circuit (41) being electrically connected between the one conductive member and the another conductive member, wherein the detection circuit (41) comprises: a reference voltage generating circuit section (43) for generating a reference voltage based on an input voltage; a voltage comparing circuit section (44) for comparing between the reference voltage and a detection voltage input from a detection terminal; and a sensitivity adjusting circuit section (45) for adjusting the detection voltage so that, when the conductive component is interpo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Yoshitaka Aoyama
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Aoyama, Shoji Aoyama
  • Patent number: 8872530
    Abstract: A method for correcting measurement of a voltage across output terminals of a sensor, the sensor configured to be assimilated with an assembly including a generator and a series resistance, each of the output terminals being respectively connected to a pull up/down resistor. The method includes: evaluating the series resistance of the sensor, including measuring first and second voltages across the output terminals when first and second bias voltages are applied on each pull up/down resistor; evaluating the series resistance from the first and second voltages; and correcting, from the series resistance, a voltage measured across the output terminals of the sensor to infer therefrom a corresponding voltage generated by the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Sagem Defense Securite
    Inventors: Bertrand Lacombe, Nicolas Geneste, Marc Raes
  • Publication number: 20140312923
    Abstract: A voltage from a switching device across a plurality of attenuation paths is received. Each of the attenuation paths provides a different attenuation to the voltage from the others. At embedded control logic, at least one of the plurality of attenuation paths is chosen and a sensed voltage is determined according to the at least one attenuation path that is chosen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: GE Intelligent Platforms, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel ALLEY
  • Patent number: 8860428
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for recognizing an error in a power bridge circuit containing a load, a high-side branch and a low-side branch. Accordingly, a first switched current source is connected to the load and to a diagnosis connection for a high-potential of a diagnosis voltage, a second switched current source is connected to the load and to a diagnosis connection for a low-potential of the diagnosis voltage, and a control device for controlling the first switched current source and the second switched current source. The control device switches on one of the switched current sources when the high-side power switch and the low-side power switch are open, while the other switched current source is switched off. A testing device tests a voltage at the load when one of the switched current sources is switched on and the other of the switched current sources is switched off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Eckart Garneyer, Christoph Haggenmiller
  • Patent number: 8860444
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to fault detection comparator circuitry and methods that can operate in conjunction with a power-on-reset (POR) scheme to put a chip into a reliable power-down mode upon fault detection to avoid disrupting the communication bus link such that other connected chips and the host can continue to operate. Power-on of the affected chip can then be carried out when the connection with that chip is restored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Cheow Guan Lim, Fan Yung Ma
  • Publication number: 20140292360
    Abstract: A broadband directional coupler for measuring a power of a forward or returning high-frequency signal on a coaxial line provides a voltage splitter comprising a first resistor, a second resistor and a third resistor. The first connection of the first resistor is connected to an inner conductor of the coaxial line, the second connection of the first resistor and the first connection of the second resistor are connected to a measuring unit. The first connection of the third resistor is connected to an outer conductor of the coaxial line and to the second connection of the second resistor. The second connection of the third resistor is connected to a ground. The third resistor is annular in shape and arranged concentrically to the inner conductor in a plane orientated orthogonally relative to the inner conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Michael Morgenstern, Dirk Fehse
  • Patent number: 8847614
    Abstract: A combiner box capable of monitoring energy output from a photovoltaic system and having improved troubleshooting functionality, the ability to independently verify utility charges, and a mechanism for reducing incorrect readings of energy output and consumption due to noise and interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: E Gear LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Robert DeBone, Steven Peter Godmere
  • Patent number: 8841930
    Abstract: An integrated circuit and a method for efficiently operating integrated circuit devices. The integrated circuit includes an input that is configured to receive a first current which is representative of a leakage current drawn by leakage in a portion of the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit includes a leakage calibrator that is configured to compare the first current to a current required to perform a switching operation and output a value indicative of the leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Marvell Israel (MISL) Ltd.
    Inventor: Eitan Rosen
  • Publication number: 20140266269
    Abstract: A multiple current sensor device or a multiple current shunt device includes at least two resistive sections comprising a first resistive section and a second resistive section, at least two connecting sections comprising a first connecting section and a second connecting section and a common connecting section. The first resistive section is electrically coupled in between the first connecting section and the common connecting section. The second resistive section is electrically coupled in between the second connecting section and the common connecting section. Using an embodiment may improve a trade-off between an efficient integration, a compact integration, a compact implementation and an accurate determination of at least one value indicative of at least one of multiple currents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Udo Ausserlechner, Volker Strutz
  • Publication number: 20140278172
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptive distance protection are provided. An adaptive ground distance protection system may be installed in a power system to provide an accurate measurement of the apparent impedance of the transmission lines thereby ensuring reliable and stable operations of the power system. The potential of a system ground in reference to the remote earth is measured and used in calculating the apparent impedance of a transmission line. An accurate assessment of the apparent impedance of a transmission line is therefore provided and reduces the risk of misoperation of relays. Existing protection systems of a power system may be augmented, for example, via a retrofitting process, to enhance reliability of the power system, reduce costs, reduce customer service interruption, and expand opportunities for deployment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: GIROLAMO ROSSELLI
  • Publication number: 20140278174
    Abstract: A battery pack monitoring apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a voltage measurement system configured to couple to opposed ends of each of a plurality of blocks of a battery pack and to measure voltages thereof, the blocks being coupled in series by interconnects each having an interconnect resistance. The voltage measurement system is configured to derive an internal resistance of each of the plurality of blocks based upon the voltages of the opposed ends of each of the plurality of blocks and based upon a measurement of current of the battery pack and derive the interconnect resistance of each of the interconnects based upon the voltages of the opposed ends of each of the plurality of blocks and based upon the measurement of current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Atieva, Inc.
    Inventor: Atieva, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8836338
    Abstract: A switching circuit for connection to a load and to a voltage source is provided. The switching circuit includes at least one switching device for switching on and off power to the load. A pulldown device is provided for shorting out the load thereby isolating the load from the voltage source; and a controller operable while the load is shorted to activate at least one of the switching devices at a time. The current passes through the activated switching device and is measurable to test whether the activated switching device is operating correctly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems Limited
    Inventors: Peter Michael Tyler, John Oliver Collins
  • Patent number: 8836352
    Abstract: An integrated circuit comprises at least one pin and has at least one resistor connected between a reference voltage and the at least one pin. Current measurement circuitry applies a voltage across the at least one resistor and measures a current at the at least one pin responsive to the applied voltage in a first mode of operation. The measured current enables determination of a current limit set point for the integrated circuit. In a second mode of operation, the at least one resistor comprises a pull up resistor and the at least one pin that is connected to the at least one resistor comprises an open-drain output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.
    Inventors: William Brandes Shearon, Lawrence Gilbert Gough
  • Publication number: 20140247063
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for measuring earth ground resistivity are provided. A main unit can be configured to couple to each of a plurality of electrodes over a respective wire, perform a resistance measurement over the plurality of electrodes, and transmit an induction signal over one or more of the respective wires indicating a representation of a resistance value calculated as part of the resistance measurement. A remote unit can be configured to detect the induction signal over the one or more of the respective wires using an inductance mechanism, process the induction signal to determine the representation of the resistance value, and render the representation of the resistance value on an interface of the remote unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Cy Kawasaki, Prabhat Shrivastav
  • Patent number: 8823402
    Abstract: An exemplary implementation of the present disclosure is a power sourcing equipment (PSE) for determining a resistance of a powered cable. The PSE includes a first supply voltage to cause a first current to flow through first and second output terminals of the PSE. The PSE also includes a second supply voltage to cause a second current to flow through third and fourth output terminals of the PSE. The PSE further includes a current modulation circuit offsetting the second current from the first current to create an offset voltage between the second and the first supply voltages to determine the resistance of the powered cable. The current modulation circuit can offset the second current from the first current utilizing a variable resistance switch to adjust the second current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Marius I. Vladan
  • Patent number: 8825449
    Abstract: In a structure and a method of data synchronization for multi measuring apparatuses, the multi measuring apparatuses link together to expand channels. One of those apparatuses is a master control measuring apparatus, and others are slave measuring apparatus. The master measuring apparatus can output synchronous signal to the slave measuring apparatuses. The slave measuring apparatus can retrieve the synchronous signal as a mark of data synchronization, and the synchronous signal and the marks are further stored in a memory. All the data and marks stored in the memory of the measuring apparatuses are transferred to a processing platform. By the software installed in the processing platform, the data wave form length of the master control measuring apparatus and slave measuring apparatus can be adjusted to the same, and the problem caused by the clock error of the measuring apparatus can be solved as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Zeroplus Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Chiu-Hao Cheng
  • Publication number: 20140239985
    Abstract: An alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) power converter may have a connector with a pair of power supply contacts and a pair of data contacts. An electronic device may be connected to the connector of the power converter. The power converter may supply DC power to the electronic device using the power supply contacts. The power converter may include control circuitry that has a resistor coupled across the data contacts. When the electronic device and the power converter are connected to each other, each may advertise to the other that capabilities are present that exceed industry standards. At the same time, standard-compliant discovery operations may be performed to probe the value of the resistance of the resistor that is coupled across the data contacts. When extended capabilities are discovered, extended functions may be performed including accelerated charging functions and data communications functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Sims, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Alexei Kosut, Timothy Johnson, Barry Corlett