Testing And Calibrating Electric Meters (e.g., Watt-hour Meters) Patents (Class 324/74)
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Patent number: 12198882Abstract: A method for monitoring the operating state of a set of circuit breakers includes the steps of arranging on the wall of each circuit breaker a synchronous triaxial digital magnetometer on a semiconductor chip, cyclically and synchronously reading temperatures measured by the magnetometers and from the temperatures measured by the magnetometers and a value of the ambient temperature, determining, for each circuit breaker, whether an internal heating temperature of the circuit breaker reaches a first temperature threshold which may be representative of an anomaly of the operating state of the circuit breaker.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2021Date of Patent: January 14, 2025Assignee: SmartfutureInventor: Paul Bertrand
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Patent number: 12153074Abstract: An electricity meter includes a front circuit connected to an external transformer and a conductor connected to the external transformer via the front circuit; a test circuit including a test generation chain and a test measuring chain connected to the conductor and a processing component; the test generation chain being arranged to apply a test voltage on the conductor, which produces a test current circulating in the test measuring chain, the test voltage having a level which depends on the impedance of the external transformer, the processing component being arranged to detect a cutoff of the external transformer when the level of the test voltage is greater than a predefined detection threshold.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2022Date of Patent: November 26, 2024Assignee: SAGEMCOM ENERGY & TELECOM SASInventors: Henri Teboulle, Marc Jeanrot, Julien Sotiere
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Patent number: 11988698Abstract: A method of evaluating the accuracy of an electricity meter, the method comprising: a preliminary stage comprising a step of acquiring first measurements of a first electrical magnitude, and a step of detecting a period of stability; a test stage comprising a step of injecting a test current into a conductor of the electricity meter, and a step of acquiring at least one second measurement of the first electrical magnitude; an evaluation stage comprising a step of comparing the second measurement of the first electrical magnitude with the sum of a first stability value representative of the first electrical magnitude during the period of stability plus a predefined value corresponding to the expected increase in the first electrical magnitude due to injecting the test current, and a step of evaluating the accuracy of the meter from said comparison.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2021Date of Patent: May 21, 2024Assignee: SAGEMCOM ENERGY & TELECOM SASInventors: Henri Teboulle, Christophe Grincourt
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Patent number: 11879955Abstract: An electricity meter includes a test circuit comprising a test component and a connection component arranged to place the test component in a connected configuration in which the test component is connected to the phase conductor and to the neutral conductor, and in a disconnected configuration in which the test component is disconnected from the phase conductor and/or from the neutral conductor; a processor component arranged to control the connection component in such a manner that it places the test component in the connected configuration during a predetermined test duration to measure surplus energy consumption, and to estimate measurement error of the electricity meter from the surplus energy.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2022Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: SAGEMCOM ENERGY & TELECOM SASInventors: Henri Teboulle, Frédéric Geheniau
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Patent number: 11585837Abstract: A current monitoring device for detecting an electrical current in a line includes a housing bottom part, a first current sensor, a housing top part, and a second current sensor. The housing bottom part has a first wall in which a first wall bead is formed and configured to partially enclose the line. The first current sensor is arranged in the housing bottom part and obtains a first current measured value by measuring a current strength of the electric current. The housing top part has a second wall in which a second wall bead is formed and configured to partially enclose the line. The second current sensor is in the housing top part and obtains a second current measured value by measuring the current strength of the electric current. The first and second wall beads align with one another to at least partially enclose the electrical line.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2019Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Martin Jankowski
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Patent number: 11555864Abstract: A monitoring system includes an array of optical sensors disposed within a transformer tank. Each optical sensor is configured to have an optical output that changes in response to a temperature within the transformer tank. An analyzer is coupled to the array of optical sensors. The analyzer is configured to determine a sensed temperature distribution based on the sensed temperature. The sensed temperature distribution is compared to an expected distribution. Exterior contamination of the transformer tank is detected based on the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2021Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATEDInventors: Saman Mostafavi, Hong Yu, Ajay Raghavan, Peter Kiesel
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Patent number: 11360008Abstract: In an FPGA, waveform data to be sent from the FPGA to a DAC is stored, and a logical circuit is configured from a detection circuit for extracting test force value and elongation value signal components from a signal input from an ADC, an offset subtractor, and a gain multiplier. The detection circuit extracts a resistance component proportional to the test force and displacement. In the detection circuit, an expression that includes a harmonic component of an odd multiple of the carrier frequency is used as a correlation function for extracting the resistance component. As a result, it is possible to obtain calculation results at a sampling frequency that is higher than the carrier frequency.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2016Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: Shimadzu CorporationInventor: Hiroshi Tsuji
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Patent number: 11350188Abstract: The present invention provides a gas meter fault prompting method and Internet of Things (IoT) system based on a compound IoT, and relates to the field of an IoT. Each of object sub-platforms is configured to check its own operation state information in real time for a fault; a management platform is configured to inquire a fault type and a fault solution according to the operation state information and preset fault inquiry table, and send the fault type and solution to a corresponding user sub-platform via the service platform to display, so that a user can know and view the fault type and solution of a gas meter at the user sub-platform in a timely manner and thus may repair some simple faults of the gas meter independently; and therefore, the time cost and the labor cost are saved.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2021Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: CHENGDU QINCHUAN IOT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventor: Zehua Shao
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Patent number: 11283225Abstract: A plug comprising: a plurality of pins or a plurality of sockets; a body portion housing the plurality of pins or the plurality of sockets and the body portion extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the plurality of pins or the plurality of sockets; a connection section connected to the body portion and extending from the body portion at an obtuse angle; and a cord connected to an end of the connection section; wherein the body portion and the connection section are connected at a joint and the joint includes a sub-flush radius on an underside of the joint.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2020Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignees: Gyrus Acmi, Inc., Gyrus Medical Limited, OLYMPUS WINTER & IBE GMBHInventors: Friedemann Schreiber, Mario Arnold, Daniel Thomas, Kester Julian Batchelor
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Patent number: 11262429Abstract: Provided are a method, an apparatus and a device for detecting abnormity of an energy metering chip. The method includes: inputting a target self-test signal to a to-be-tested component of a target energy metering chip in response to the target energy metering chip beginning to run under driving of a power signal; acquiring a first output signal from an output terminal of the to-be-tested component, and inputting the first output signal to a notch filter; inputting a second output signal from an output terminal of the notch filter to a signal correlator, and acquiring a third output signal from an output terminal of the signal correlator; and detecting a running state of the to-be-tested component based on the third output signal, to determine whether the target energy metering chip is abnormal.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2020Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: HANGZHOU VANGO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Zhengxun Wu, Ching-Kae Tzou
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Patent number: 11209515Abstract: A method includes setting a setting duty ratio of a pulse to a predefined first setting duty ratio, detecting a measured value of power of a microwave, and calculating an error of the measured value of the power with respect to the setting power level for each setting power level, calculating a correction value for the power for each setting power level on the basis of the error, and determining a first function indicating a relationship between the setting power level and the correction value by logarithmically approximating the relationship between the setting power level and the correction value, and determining the correction function indicating a relationship among the setting duty ratio, the setting power level, and the correction value by approximating the correction value defined by the first function, and the predefined correction value at a setting duty ratio of 100%, with a linear function.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2020Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITEDInventors: Kazushi Kaneko, Yohei Ishida
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Patent number: 11163017Abstract: A monitoring system includes an array of optical sensors disposed within a transformer tank. Each optical sensor is configured to have an optical output that changes in response to a temperature within the transformer tank. An analyzer is coupled to the array of optical sensors. The analyzer is configured to determine a sensed temperature distribution based on the sensed temperature. The sensed temperature distribution is compared to an expected distribution. Exterior contamination of the transformer tank is detected based on the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2019Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center IncorporatedInventors: Saman Mostafavi, Hong Yu, Ajay Raghavan, Peter Kiesel
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Patent number: 11088676Abstract: A calibration circuit includes an oscillator configured to generate an oscillation signal according to a control voltage; a counter configured to generate a count value according to the oscillation signal; and a control circuit configured to control a pull-up driver and a pull-down driver commonly coupled to an output node according to the count value, wherein the control circuit compares a reference count value of the counter by providing a reference voltage as the control voltage for a unit control period with a count value of the counter by providing an output voltage of the output node as the control voltage for a unit control period, and controls a pull-up control signal that adjusts turn-on impedance of the pull-up driver and a pull-down control signal that adjusts turn-on impedance of the pull-down driver.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2021Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignees: SK hynix Inc., Seoul National University R&DB FoundationInventors: Sangyoon Lee, Jaekwang Yun, Suhwan Kim
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Patent number: 10989744Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical energy meter comprising a current-measuring circuit and a voltage-measuring circuit, the current-measuring circuit comprising a current sensor producing a first analog measuring voltage and a first analog-to-digital converter arranged so as to carry out a first sampling of the first analog measuring voltage in a such a way as to produce first digital values, and the voltage-measuring circuit comprising a voltage sensor-producing a second analog measuring voltage and a second analog-to-digital converter arranged so as to carry out a second sampling of the second analog measuring voltage in such a way as to produce second digital values, the electrical energy meter also comprising a first synchronization circuit arranged so as to synchronize the frequency of the first sampling and the second sampling.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2019Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: Sagemcom Energy & Telecom SASInventor: Henri Teboulle
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Patent number: 10866282Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for calibrating a channel delay skew of automatic test equipment (ATE), the method comprising: providing multiple calibration reference devices, wherein the calibration reference devices have a second plurality of delay paths each having a predetermined path delay value and coupling a pair of pins of one of the calibration reference devices together, wherein each pin is coupled to at most one delay path; coupling each of the calibration reference devices with the ATE, respectively, wherein the test probe of each of the first plurality of test channels is coupled with a pin of one of the calibration reference devices; testing the calibration reference devices to obtain multiple delay measurements from one or more transmitting channels of the first plurality of test channels to one or more receiving channels of the first plurality of test channels using the ATE; and calculating based on the delay measurements.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2019Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: MONTAGE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Yong Wang, Dongming Lou, Weidong Fan, Ronghui Chen, Meng Mei
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Patent number: 10845436Abstract: A system for detecting current magnitudes in a circuit breaker panel includes multiple 3-sensor magnometers placed over the main breaker and branch circuits in the circuit breaker enclosure. The sensors communicate with a local processing node, which analyzes the raw data to compensate for external and local interference, and provides an estimated current measurement. The estimated current measurement is then communicated back to a user system which can then use the information to better manage current input and output.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Orison, Inc.Inventors: Eric Douglass Clifton, Marc Berte
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Patent number: 10502807Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating a voltage measurement device are provided herein. The voltage measurement device generates a reference current signal and senses the reference current signal in a conductor under test. A calibration system may control a calibration voltage source to selectively output calibration voltages in a calibration conductor. The calibration system may obtain data from the voltage measurement device captured by the voltage measurement device when measuring the calibration conductor. Such data may include one or more reference current measurements, one or more voltage measurements, etc. The calibration system utilizes the obtained measurements to generate calibration data which may be stored on the voltage measurement device for use thereby during subsequent operation. The calibration data may include one or more lookup tables, coefficients for one or more mathematical formulas, etc.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2017Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: Fluke CorporationInventor: Ronald Steuer
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Patent number: 10393791Abstract: A utility meter includes a meter housing that supports at least one current coil, a temperature sensor, and a processing circuit coupled to both. The current coil can be coupled to receive heat energy from a meter socket. The temperature sensor disposed generates a sensor signal based on a temperature within the meter housing. The processing circuit obtains the sensor signal and generates meter temperature information based at least in part thereon. The processing circuit also obtains a first predetermined threshold based on at least one of time of day information and date information. The processing circuit also determines whether an abnormal condition exists by comparing the meter temperature information to a value based on the first predetermined threshold, and generates an output signal to a memory, display or communication circuit responsive to determining that the abnormal condition exists.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2017Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Landis+Gyr LLCInventors: Mark David Minich, Steven John Schamber
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Patent number: 10274572Abstract: A system for calibrating a power meter may include mechanically detachably electrically engaging a first power meter with a second power meter. The first power meter may receive a first current input signal representative of a current level in a first conductor to a load and receive a first voltage input signal representative of a voltage level in the first conductor, and determine a first power level based upon the first current input signal and the first voltage input signal. A second power meter may receive a second current input signal representative of the current level in the first conductor to the load from the first power meter, receive a second voltage input signal representative of the voltage level in the first conductor to the load from the first power meter, and determine a second power level based upon the second current input signal and the second voltage input signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2016Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: Veris Industries, LLCInventor: Martin Cook
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Patent number: 10171174Abstract: An apparatus comprises a phase modulator having a first input port to receive a radiation and having a first output port to provide a first signal toward a device under test (DUT), wherein the phase modulator is configured to generate the first signal by performing phase modulation on the radiation received at the first input port; an intensity modulator having a second input port to receive the radiation and having a second output port to provide a second signal toward the DUT, wherein the intensity modulator is configured to generate the second signal by performing intensity modulation on the radiation received at the second input port; and a transfer function analyzer configured to determine a transfer function of the DUT based on the first signal and the second signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2017Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: SUZHOU LIUYAOSI INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Shilong Pan, Min Xue, Shifeng Liu, Shupeng Li, Jianbin Fu, Wansheng Pan
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Patent number: 10164320Abstract: A transmitter assembly for transmitting data from a utility meter to a remote location for disposition in a subsurface utility enclosure is described. The assembly includes a printed circuit board, including a transmitter portion receiving the data from the utility meter and configured to generate a meter data message for transmission to the remote location, an antenna portion including a board mounted antenna receiving the generated meter data message and using the boarding mounted antenna to propagate the generated meter data message to a remote location, and a seal mount portion configured to receive a seal affixed to the printed circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2017Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: Badger Meter, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Stuyvenberg, Ryan Beverung, Jeremy Aderhold
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Patent number: 9961979Abstract: “Hair Dryer with control switches underneath handle” (1) consisting of external body (2), provided of cable (2a), wire (3) and buttons/switches (4), and internally, engine (5), electrical resistance (6) and internal cabinet (7) that delimits heating air chamber (8), aforementioned cabinet (7) extending frontally out in short nozzle (7a), said hair dryer (1) incorporating digital hour counter (“hour meter”) (9associated with the appliance's engine (5), and presenting its buttons/switches (4) moved to the bottom (10) of the cable (2a), being provided cold air flow system, configured by spacing (11) and (12) that delimit cold air input and output, creating a cold air flow around and along the entire length of the outer surface of the internal cabinet (7), which isolates this latter of the inner surface of the body (2).Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2012Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Inventor: Oscar Jose Rodrigues
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Patent number: 9918145Abstract: A water meter transmission system reads data from a water meter and wirelessly transmits data to a central billing or receiving system. Disclosed transmission systems are fully integrated and contained within pit housings such that electronic components are well protected. A spiral antenna is integrated into a specially configured integrated antenna cover which fits into the top cover of a pit housing. The antenna cover and/or upper lip area of the upper lip of the main housing may comprise a distal barrier and a medial barrier used to exclude water and contaminates. Disclosed transmission systems offer high output and low power consumption and vitiate the need for meter readers to physically access a water meter or other meters.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2014Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: Mueller International, LLCInventor: Yoram Kenig
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Patent number: 9912047Abstract: An antenna cover has a plate with a top surface and outer perimetric edge, and a housing affixed to or integrally formed with the plate. The housing extends downwardly from an underside of the plate. The housing is positioned within the outer perimetric edge. The housing is adapted to receive an antenna therein. The plate is formed of a radio-frequency transmissive material. The top surface of the plate taper slightly upwardly from the outer perimetric edge. The housing has a generally rectangular configuration with an open bottom. The plate is formed of a material such as an acetyl copolymer, and acetyl homopolymer and, or a polyester-reinforced thermoplastic.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2016Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: PARK TEQ, LLCInventors: Chad W. Eberly, George W. Eberly, III, Christopher R. Howerton, Andreas H. Vu
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Patent number: 9864358Abstract: Disclosed is an event input module, wherein the event input module receives time information which is an IRIG-B signal of a predetermined method from an outside time provider, allocates the time information to a detected event and determines event generation information.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2014Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.Inventor: Yong Gak Sin
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Patent number: 9762980Abstract: A water meter transmission system reads data from a water meter and wirelessly transmits data to a central billing or receiving system. Disclosed transmission systems are fully integrated and contained within pit housings such that the electronic components are well protected. A flat spiral VHF antenna is integrated into a specially configured integrated antenna cover which fits into the top cover of a pit housing. The antenna cover and/or upper lip area of the upper lip of the main housing comprises protrusions complementary to the distal barrier and medial barrier of the integrated cover and is used to exclude water and contaminates. Disclosed transmission systems offer high output and low power consumption and vitiate the need for meter readers to physically access a water meter or other meters.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2017Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: Mueller International, LLCInventor: Yoram Kenig
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Patent number: 9548602Abstract: A ruggedized electronic enclosure for in-ground installation is disclosed. In one embodiment, the ruggedized electronic enclosure comprises a top cover which is exposed above a top surface of the ground and a cylindrical base portion which is embedded within the ground. The top cover and the cylindrical base portion are configured to create a channel conveying an adhesive toward the center of the ruggedized enclosure when the top cover and the cylindrical base portion are coupled.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2012Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: Trimble Inc.Inventors: John F. Cameron, Larry Collins, Daniel Shane Fitzgibbons
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Patent number: 9494671Abstract: A method of error correction in automated test equipment (ATE) is presented. The method comprises calibrating the ATE using a calibration board, wherein the calibration board comprises a reference voltage. The calibrating comprises: (a) measuring the reference voltage using a reference channel and each of a plurality of channels in the ATE; (b) recording a series of differential voltage measurement values obtained from the measuring in a calibration module; and (c) calculating a respective correction factor for each of the plurality of channels utilizing the series of differential voltage measurement values. The method further comprises obtaining a measured voltage value for a DUT connected to a first channel in the ATE, wherein the first channel is one of the plurality of channels. Finally, the method comprises correcting the measured voltage value using a respective correction factor for said first channel.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2013Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: ADVANTEST CORPORATIONInventor: Thien Ngo
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Patent number: 9444498Abstract: A transceiver circuit including a digital-to-analog converter, a filter coupled to the digital-to-analog converter, a passive mixer coupled to the filter, via a buffer and a multi-stage power amplifier coupled to the passive mixer via a passive amplifier. A transmitter and method for amplifying a RF signal for transmission are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2012Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Rahul Magoon, Michael (Meng-An) Pan, Ahmad Mirzaei, Mohyee Mikhemar
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Patent number: 9383223Abstract: A smart meter system architecture comprises of a local server, a coordinator, and a plurality of smart meters in a one-to-many data communication system configuration is disclosed. The invention discloses the architecture for a coordinator-server interface control register, data registers, routing table, non-volatile memory, parameter register, non-interruptible battery backup subsystem, and a low-power energy calculation and calibration method for resistive loads.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2014Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITYInventor: Karl L. Wang
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Patent number: 9246530Abstract: A communication device includes a DC input component, a transmitting component an envelope detecting component, a receiving component, a storage component and a comparator. The DC input component generates a first direct current signal and a second direct current signal. The transmitting component generates a first transmitted signal based on the first direct current signal and a second transmitted signal based on the second direct current signal. The envelope detecting component generates a first envelope signal based on the first transmitted signal and generates a second envelope signal based on the second transmitted signal. The receiving component generates a first received signal based on the first envelope signal and a second received signal based on the second envelope signal. The storage component has a priori information stored therein. The comparator outputs a correlation signal based on the first received signal, the second received signal and the a priori information.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2014Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Michael Orlovsky, Eran Nussbaum, Asaf Even-Chen, Roy Beeri
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Patent number: 9237007Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for securely transmitting and receiving a signal. A nonlinear keying modulator is used in the transmitter to encrypt the signal using a nonlinear keying modulation technique. A nonlinear keying demodulator is used in the receiver to decrypt the signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2012Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventor: Roy G. Batruni
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Patent number: 9196977Abstract: An apparatus for use in wiring a multi-configurable electrical device during installation thereof at point of operation includes a substrate defining a plurality of tabs separated by at least one gap. The tabs and the gap or gaps are arranged such that when the substrate is positioned proximate the electrical device, the tabs cover a first group of one or more wiring terminals of the electrical device and the gap or gaps provides access to a second group of one or more wiring terminals of the electrical device in accordance with a first wiring configuration of a plurality of possible wiring configurations. According to one exemplary embodiment, the substrate is generally rectangular and non-conductive. Visible indicia may be optionally disposed on the substrate (e.g., by adhering a label containing the indicia to the substrate) to provide information relating to wiring the electrical device according to the first wiring configuration.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2013Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: Consert Inc.Inventor: Erasmo Perez, Jr.
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Publication number: 20150061636Abstract: A system is provided for calibrating a device. The system includes a reference component, a sampling component, a calibration component, a comparing component and a proportional integral component. The reference component provides a reference power signal based on a voltage instruction and a current instruction. The sampling component samples a voltage signal to obtain a sampled voltage value and samples a current signal to obtain a sampled current value. The calibration component generates a calibrated power signal based on the sampled voltage value and the sampled current. The comparing component generates an error signal based on the reference power signal and the calibrated power signal. The proportional integral component and the calibration component are a feedback system that is operable to calibrate the gain of the sampled voltage and the sample current based on the error signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventors: Kaichien Tsai, Minghua Fu, Anand Dabak
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Publication number: 20150015232Abstract: An arrangement for measuring an internal clock within an electricity meter includes an optical communication circuit within the meter, an optical detector external to the meter, and a frequency counter. The optical communication circuit within the electricity meter is operably coupled to receive a pulse output of the meter's internal clock, and is further configured to generate a corresponding optical pulse representative of the pulse output. The optical detector is configured to detect the pulse output via an optical port of the electricity meter. The frequency counter is operably coupled to receive from the optical detector a signal that is representative of the detected pulse output.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2014Publication date: January 15, 2015Inventor: John T. Voisine
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Patent number: 8922224Abstract: An electronic system having a high speed signaling bus requiring training (calibration) of a calibrated item in a driver circuitry or a receiver circuitry for reliable operation. At manufacturing or in a secure location, secure calibration coefficients are determined for the electronic system and are stored in a non-volatile storage. During operation, the high speed signaling bus may be re-calibrated, resulting in a new currently active calibration coefficient for the calibrated item. A coefficient watchdog checks a new coefficient value selected by the re-calibration at present environmental conditions such as voltage and temperature against the secure calibration coefficients. If the new calibration coefficient value is the same as a calibration coefficient value in an acceptably close secure calibration coefficient, the new calibration coefficient is accepted; if not, a potentially probed warning is created by the coefficient watchdog.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2012Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Ronald L. Billau, Roger J. Gravrok, Brian G. Holthaus, Darryl Solie
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Patent number: 8902100Abstract: A aircraft hazard warning system or method can be utilized to determine a location of a turbulence hazard for an aircraft. The aircraft hazard warning system can utilize processing electronics coupled to an antenna. The processing electronics can determine an inferred presence of turbulence in response to lightning sensor data, radar reflectivity data, turbulence data, geographic location data, vertical structure analysis data, and/or temperature data. The system can include a display for showing the turbulence hazard and its location.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2008Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Daniel L. Woodell, Jeffery A. Finley, Gregory J. Koenigs, John G. Conkling
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Patent number: 8878517Abstract: A method and apparatus provides high-accuracy measurements of an electrical parameter across a broad range of parameter input values. In one embodiment, an intelligent electronic device (IED), e.g., a digital electrical power and energy meter, with a plurality of independently-adjustable gain factors measures a parameter, and calculates and stores calibration factors associated with known values of the measured parameter. The IED or meter applies the stored calibration factors when measuring unknown values of the measured parameter, to improve the accuracy of the measurement.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2011Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Electro Industries/Gauge TechInventor: Tibor Banhegyesi
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Patent number: 8837118Abstract: A combined current transformer and metering system is described, having a securable case, two or more current transformers each having a core and secondary windings connected to a secondary circuit, wherein the transformers are mounted within the case. A wiring harness connects the secondary windings of the transformers with shorting current switches for short circuiting the secondary current circuit, and voltage switches for disconnecting a voltage, wherein both sets of switches are mounted on the case. A process of manufacturing the system is described, wherein the transformer cores are positioned within the case, the wiring is connected between the transformer cores and attachment hardware on an upper deck of the case, and insulation medium is inserted within the case. A base plate is described, having rails to hold the system and having a tab at one end, and apertures for a rod positionable between rails at a second end.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2012Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Inventor: Kenneth William McGrail
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Patent number: 8823359Abstract: This disclosure relates to a three-phase electric energy measurement apparatus, comprising: a voltage detection unit for detecting voltage of each phase in power transmitting lines where the voltage detection unit is; a current detection unit for detecting current of each phase in the power transmitting lines where the current detection unit is; an electric energy calculation unit, connected to said voltage detection unit and said current detection unit, for receiving signals outputted from said voltage detection unit and said current detection unit, and performing signal processing and calculation, and then outputting a calculation result; wherein both said voltage detection unit and said electric energy calculation unit are connected in a star connection mode, forming a common virtual ground. Through the above-mentioned grounding manner different from that in the prior art, a three-phase four-wire electric energy meter is formed using a three-phase three-wire connection method.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2009Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: National Institute of Metrology P.R. ChinaInventors: Zhigao Zhang, Zhishou Zheng, Qingchang Qu
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Patent number: 8803546Abstract: An apparatus for performing power detection includes a squarer module and a calibration module that is coupled to the squarer module, where the squarer module includes a first squarer and a second squarer. The first squarer is arranged to convert an input signal of the squarer module into a first squarer output signal. In addition, the second squarer is arranged to output a second squarer output signal while a predetermined voltage level is input into an input terminal of the second squarer. Additionally, the calibration module is arranged to compare a difference between the first squarer output signal and the second squarer output signal with a reference signal to generate a comparison signal, and to compensate the difference according to the comparison signal, so as to perform a calibration on the apparatus. A method for performing power detection is also provided, and can be performed by utilizing the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2011Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: MediaTek Singapore Pte. Ltd.Inventor: Zhiming Deng
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Patent number: 8754630Abstract: An arrangement for measuring an internal clock within an electricity meter includes an optical communication circuit within the meter, an optical detector external to the meter, and a frequency counter. The optical communication circuit within the electricity meter is operably coupled to receive a pulse output of the meter's internal clock, and is further configured to generate a corresponding optical pulse representative of the pulse output. The optical detector is configured to detect the pulse output via an optical port of the electricity meter. The frequency counter is operably coupled to receive from the optical detector a signal that is representative of the detected pulse output.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2010Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: Lanids+Gyr, Inc.Inventor: John T. Voisine
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Patent number: 8742748Abstract: Calibration of a non-contact current sensor provides improved accuracy for measuring current conducted through a conductor such as an AC branch circuit wire. In a calibration mode, a predetermined DC current is injected through a conductor integrated in the non-contact current sensor. The magnitude of the magnetic field is measured using a sensing element of the non-contact current sensor. Then, when operating in measurement mode, a current conducted in a wire passing through the non-contact current sensor is determined by correcting the output of the non-contact current sensor using the result of the measurement made in the calibration mode.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2013Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Wael El-Essawy, Alexandre Peixoto Ferreira, Thomas Walter Keller, Sani R. Nassif
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Patent number: 8736249Abstract: A first envelope detector circuit and a second envelope detector circuit are the same in circuit configuration, where the former detects an input high frequency signal, and the latter generates a reference voltage for power level detection. A detector detects an output voltage of a selector configured to select an output of the first envelope detector circuit with reference to an output voltage of a selector configured to select an output of the second envelope detector circuit. A controller controls an input selector to determine and store control values for the two selectors during input of a high frequency reference signal generated by a high frequency reference signal generating unit, and controls the two selectors by using the stored control values when an actual high frequency signal is input.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2011Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Ryangsu Kim
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Patent number: 8717007Abstract: An intelligent electronic device having a terminal assembly for coupling the IED, e.g., a revenue meter, to a meter mounting socket. The assembly includes a housing including a generally planar, rigid base, the base including at least one opening and at least one circuit board having at least one electrically conducting terminal surface mounted thereon, the at least one electrically conducting terminal extending through the at least one opening of the base to mate with at least one matching jaw of a detachable meter mounting device coupled to the electrical circuit.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2009Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Electro Industries/Gauge TechInventor: Tibor Banhegyesi
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Patent number: 8692538Abstract: Calibrating test equipment may include: aligning timing of a first group of channels in the test equipment; aligning timing of a second group of channels in the test equipment, with the second group of channels being different from the first group of channels; determining a misalignment in timing between a first channel and a second channel, with the first channel being from the first group of channels, and the second channel being from the second group of channels; and compensating, for the misalignment, channels in at least one of the first group or the second group.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Teradyne, Inc.Inventor: Bradley A Phillips
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Patent number: 8558531Abstract: A method and system for determining a health of a metering system are provided. The metering system includes a meter base including a meter bus couplable between an electrical source and an electrical load, a plurality of sensors configured to determine electrical characteristics of electrical power in the meter bus, and a processor configured to execute at least one code segment. The code segments instruct the processor to determine revenue parameters for the metering system, determine at least one fault of a plurality of possible faults associated with the operation of the metering system using outputs from the plurality of sensors, the determination of the revenue parameters, and a processing fault generated by the processor, determine a severity level of each of the at least one faults, and determine a single value for a health of the metering system using the determined at least one fault.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Satish Sharadrao Khanke, Thrishul Patil
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Patent number: 8552739Abstract: In an electronic device and a method of correcting time-domain reflectometers, two channels of a time-domain reflectometer are connected to a corrector using cables, and the two channels are enabled to transmit pulses. Parameters Step Deskew and Channel Deskew of the two channels are zeroed. Resistance values of the two channels are measured simultaneously, and the value of the parameter Step Deskew of one of the two channels is adjusted according to the Resistance values of the two channels. Times of achieving the same resistance value of the two channels are measured after the cables and the connector have been disconnected, and the value of the parameter Channel Deskew of one of the two channels is adjusted according to the times of achieving the same resistance value. The adjusted values of the parameters Step Deskew and Channel Deskew are displayed through a display unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2011Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hsien-Chuan Liang, Shen-Chun Li, Shou-Kuo Hsu
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Publication number: 20130241529Abstract: Calibration of a non-contact current sensor provides improved accuracy for measuring current conducted through a conductor such as an AC branch circuit wire. In a calibration mode, a predetermined DC current is injected through a conductor integrated in the non-contact current sensor. The magnitude of the magnetic field is measured using a sensing element of the non-contact current sensor. Then, when operating in measurement mode, a current conducted in a wire passing through the non-contact current sensor is determined by correcting the output of the non-contact current sensor using the result of the measurement made in the calibration mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Wael El-Essawy, Alexandre Peixoto Ferreira, Thomas Walter Keller, Sani R. Nassif
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Patent number: 8508212Abstract: Calibration of a non-contact current sensor provides improved accuracy for measuring current conducted through a conductor such as an AC branch circuit wire. In a calibration mode, a predetermined current is injected through a voltage sensing conductor integrated in the non-contact current sensor. The magnitude of the magnetic field is measured using a sensing element of the non-contact current sensor. Then, when operating in measurement mode, a current conducted in a wire passing through the non-contact current sensor is determined by correcting the output of the non-contact current sensor using the result of the measurement made in the calibration mode. The voltage sensing conductor is used to provide an indication of the magnitude and/or the phase of the electrostatic potential on the wire. The calibration current may be a DC current, and calibration may be performed while the conductor is carrying an AC current.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2011Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Wael El-Essawy, Alexandre Peixoto Ferreira, Thomas Walter Keller, Sani R. Nassif