Circuit Interruption By Thermal Sensing Patents (Class 361/103)
  • Patent number: 11133667
    Abstract: A protection circuit for an automotive wiring harness includes an input node receiving a sensing signal indicating intensity of current in a conductor, an output node emitting a current control output signal to reduce the current and/or emitting a warning signal indicating the current intensity having reached a limit value. Signal processing circuitry coupled to the input node compares the current intensity with a reference value, and produces a comparison signal indicating whether the current intensity exceeds the reference value. A counting circuitry driven by the comparison signal counts in a first count direction as a result of the comparison signal indicating that the current intensity exceeds the reference value. Latching circuitry coupled to the counter circuitry generates the output signal at the output node as a result of the count value of the counter circuitry reaching a limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventor: Romeo Letor
  • Patent number: 11118850
    Abstract: A thermal abnormality detection system includes: a first heat dissipation system having a first temperature sensor for measuring an actual temperature of the first heat dissipation system; a second heat dissipation system having a second temperature sensor for measuring an actual temperature of the second heat dissipation system. Assuming that a difference between the actual temperature of the first heat dissipation system and an upper limit temperature of the first heat dissipation system is d1, and a difference between the actual temperature of the second heat dissipation system and an upper limit temperature of the second heat dissipation system is d2, when a value of d1?d2 is greater than an error threshold value Error1_level, the first heat dissipation system is determined to be abnormal, and when the value of d1?d2 is less than an error threshold value Error2_level, the second heat dissipation system is determined to be abnormal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Lei-Chung Hsing, Hsien-Chih Ou, Chun-Chang Huang
  • Patent number: 11069498
    Abstract: A direct current interrupting switch assembly comprising a primary conductor and secondary conductor integrated with a voltage source and load. The primary conductor has two parallel branches, the first branch including a fuse with a melting member and the second branch including a pyroswitch with an interrupting member. In a first position, the second branch of the primary conductor is uninterrupted, and the interrupting member is a sufficient distance apart from the secondary conductor. When the interrupting member is moved to a second position, the current in second branch of the primary conductor is interrupted an the interrupting member contacts the secondary conductor of the switch assembly. The switch assembly also has a parallel circuit with a thermal fuse with a contact member, and an electromagnetic switch; which activates when a pre-determined value of electric current is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: NELA RAZVOJNI CENTER ZA ELEKTROINDUSTRIJO IN ELEKTRONIKO, D.O.O.
    Inventors: Mitja Koprivsek, Brane Lebar
  • Patent number: 11065962
    Abstract: An inverter ECU is applied to a hybrid vehicle having an engine and a motor generator as drive power source and a motor generator control system. A drive control part generates drive signals for an inverter based on torque request to the motor generator. A temperature information acquiring part acquires an element temperature value and a cooling water temperature value as an inverter temperature value. An abnormality detection part detects whether the inverter temperature value is within a diagnosable temperature range, and performs abnormality detection for the motor generator control system when the inverter temperature value is within the diagnosable temperature range. When the inverter temperature value is not placed within the diagnosable temperature range, the energy supplied to the inverter is adjusted to move the inverter temperature value into the diagnosis allowable temperature range to correctly perform the abnormality detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaki Nishiyama, Hirofumi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 11063418
    Abstract: One example device for overcurrent protection for wireless power receivers includes a wireless power antenna comprising a wire coil; a conditioning circuit electrically coupled to the wireless power antenna to receive an electric power signal from the wireless power antenna; a temperature-sensitive fuse electrically coupled between the wireless power antenna and the conditioning circuit and configured to electrically decouple the wireless power antenna from the conditioning circuit in response to being blown; and a thermal energy source configured to generate thermal energy based on an electrical signal from an output of the conditioning circuit, the thermal energy source positioned proximate the temperature-sensitive fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: VERILY LIFE SCIENCES LLC
    Inventor: Arvind Govindaraj
  • Patent number: 11056855
    Abstract: An embodiment provides a beam projector module that includes: a light source configured to output light; a substrate configured to support the light source; an optical device configured to reduce the light in terms of intensity output to a predetermined space; a frame configured to space the optical device apart from the light source by a predetermined distance, the frame forming a closed space with the substrate and the optical device; a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the frame; and a processor configured to control an output of the light source. The processor is configured to operate the light source in an eye-safety mode when a temperature drop rate of the frame exceeds a reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: NAMUGA, CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Youb Lee, Young Gyu Kang, Jeong Hwa Seo
  • Patent number: 11054874
    Abstract: An electronic device comprises an interface including a first terminal that receives power from an external device and a second terminal for communicating with the external device, and at least one processor and/or at least one circuit to perform the operations of a communication unit that communicates with the external device via the second terminal, and a control unit that controls a connection between the second terminal and a ground, wherein in a case that a state of power received via the first terminal is a predetermined state, the communication unit sends a reset request for stopping the supply of power to the external device, and the control unit controls the connection between the second terminal and the ground from a connected state to a disconnected state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Moritomo, Tsuyoshi Fujisaki, Kazuya Miyahara, Yasuhiro Sato, Tomoya Yamashita
  • Patent number: 11047554
    Abstract: A light fixture includes a housing, a light module, and a trim assembly. The trim assembly includes a trim body, an upper flange, and an adjustable collar attached to the upper flange. The adjustable collar can attach to the upper flange in a plurality of different positions easily permitting adjustment of the orientation of the trim assembly with respect to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Jay P. Bokros, Charles Vasquez, Jason Q. Paulsel
  • Patent number: 11050242
    Abstract: A driver for a power device. The driver includes: a voltage providing module, configured to provide a voltage required for the power device; a drive signal isolation module, including a signal input end and a signal output end isolated with each other, the signal input end being configured to receive an external drive signal, and the signal output end being connected to a control end of the power device and configured to provide an isolation drive signal for the power device; a short circuit/overcurrent protection module, connected to a drain electrode of the power device, and configured to cut off the power device when a short circuit or an overcurrent occurs for the power device. The driver also includes a Miller clamp module, an under-voltage protection module and an over-temperature protection module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: SHENZHENSHI PENGYUAN ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chunxian Ye, Xubiao Zhan, Tao Li, Shengchao Ruan, Wenbo Chen
  • Patent number: 11041766
    Abstract: An assembly, for example an electrostatic chuck, is provided including a substrate, an electrostatic chuck, a heating plate, and a bond layer comprising a phosphorescent material. In one form, an optical sensor is disposed proximate the bond layer to detect a temperature of the bond layer in the field of view of the optical sensor. The phosphorescent material is illuminated and the subsequent decay is observed by the optical sensor. From this information, the temperature of the electrostatic chuck and substrate is determined and heating elements may be adjusted by a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: John Patrick Bergen, Daryl G. James
  • Patent number: 11037700
    Abstract: A system and method for an LCDI power cord and associated circuits is provided. The system and method include energizing shielded neutral wires and shielded line wires and monitoring the energized shields for surges, e.g., arcing, detected by a Leakage Current Detection Circuit (LCDC) and/or voltage drops, e.g., shield breaks, detected by a Shield Integrity Circuit (SIC).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Tower Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Victor V Aromin, Louis Jay Shatkin
  • Patent number: 11029365
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an external terminal, a switching output stage that performs switching drive of a terminal voltage at the external terminal, an output control unit arranged to generate a drive signal for the switching output stage according to an input pulse signal, a counter arranged to count the number of pulses of the input pulse signal so as to generate a mask signal, a logical gate arranged to mask the input pulse signal according to the mask signal, and a comparator arranged to compare the terminal voltage with a predetermined threshold value voltage so as to generate a reset signal of the counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Maejima, Junichi Hagino
  • Patent number: 11005259
    Abstract: A monitoring and load controlling system for a switchboard, according to one embodiment of the present specification, comprises: a gateway which acquires respective temperature information of circuit breakers included in a switchboard, and respective current amount information of lines corresponding to the circuit breakers, acquires respective capacity information of the circuit breakers on the basis of the acquired temperature information, and, on the basis of the acquired capacity information and current amount information, detects a circuit breaker corresponding to a line in need of load regulation; and a load controlling device which regulates the load of said line by stopping the operation of at least one device among devices connected to the detected circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: LS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Seong-Joon Lee
  • Patent number: 10990661
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a power button, a fingerprint sensor, and a controller. The fingerprint sensor is integrated into the power button. The controller connects to the fingerprint sensor and the power button. The controller performs a booting process of the electronic device when the power button is pushed by an external object. The controller then compares the fingerprint pattern of the external object sensed by the fingerprint sensor with a previously stored fingerprint pattern. If the fingerprint pattern does not match the previously stored fingerprint pattern, the controller stops the booting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: QUANTA COMPUTER INC.
    Inventor: Li-Te Hung
  • Patent number: 10978889
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for a multi-level battery protection system. In some embodiments, a multi-level battery protection system can include multiple levels at the junction box level and multiple levels at the battery level. In some embodiments, at the junction box level, the multi-level battery protection system can include junction box fuses and a current limiting circuit. In some embodiments, at the battery level, the multi-level battery protection system can include battery fuses and a microprocessor circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: HADAL, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron Goldin, Ben Kfir, Douglas Traeger, Robert S. Damus, Richard J. Rikoski
  • Patent number: 10971928
    Abstract: A remote suppression unit retains a first set of surge suppression modules. A base suppression unit retains a second set of surge suppression modules. An over voltage protection (OVP) board in the remote suppression unit includes power strips that couple the first set of surge suppression modules to remote ends of DC power cables. A configurable terminal assembly in the base suppression unit couples the second set of suppression modules to local ends of the DC power cables. The surge suppression modules in combination with the OVP board and terminal assembly provide more suppression protection in both the remote and base suppression units. A remote voltage monitor circuit in the remote suppression unit measures voltages on remote ends of the DC power cables and transmits the voltages and alarm status to a monitor circuit in the base suppression unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: RAYCAP IP ASSETS LTD
    Inventors: Shawn Warner, Michael Bloxham, Louie Mysse, Jonathan Martinez
  • Patent number: 10965119
    Abstract: Power cycle life of an intelligent power module that includes an IGBT is estimated by an abnormality detection circuit(s) while a chip temperature detection circuit or a case temperature detection circuit is outputting a chip overheating warning signal or a case overheating warning signal. Once the estimated power cycle life has reached a prescribed value, the abnormality detection circuit outputs an abnormality detection signal to forcedly and permanently stop operation of a driver circuit that drives an IGBT. The abnormality detection circuit may include a prescribed period calculation circuit that calculates the duration of the warning signal, a prescribed count calculation circuit that calculates the number of times the warning signal has been generated, and/or a cumulative time calculation circuit that calculates that the cumulative duration of periods in which the warning signal has been generated so as to estimate the power cycle life of the intelligent power module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Naoki Shimizu
  • Patent number: 10964988
    Abstract: This disclosure details exemplary battery pack designs for use in electrified vehicles. Exemplary battery arrays that may be incorporated into electrified vehicle battery packs may include a grouping of battery cells and a circuit connector module configured for electrically connecting the grouping of battery cells. The circuit connector module may include a first bus bar made of a single material and a second bus bar that is fusible and made of at least two dissimilar materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Francisco Fernandez-Galindo, Daniel Paul Roberts
  • Patent number: 10958264
    Abstract: A circuit system for controlling an electrical consumer, the circuit system including an up-down counter, and the circuit system being configured to generate a control signal for controlling the electrical consumer, in particular for shutting off the electrical consumer, as a function of a counter content of the up-down counter. The circuit system includes a controllable clock divider circuit, with the aid of which the circuit system is configured to predefine a counting direction and a counting speed of the up-down counter as a function of at least one variable characterizing an actual current and/or a nominal current of the electrical consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Yannick Chauvet, Federico Ignacio Sanchez Pinzon, Johannes Zondler, Michael Wilhelm Haas
  • Patent number: 10938302
    Abstract: A power system comprises a converter including an inductor core defining a gap, and a separator spanning the gap and contacting the core. The power system also includes a controller programmed to, responsive to a decrease in current ripple amplitude output by the converter to less than a first threshold, decrease power supplied by the converter. The first threshold is indicative of an inductance change through the core due to a temperature driven decrease in size of the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Craig Brian Rogers
  • Patent number: 10926603
    Abstract: A system includes a computer including a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to predict an overheat time at which a vehicle computer temperature will exceed a threshold and actuate a cooling component when the overheat time is prior to an initiation time of a trip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Adel Awad Alla, Ray Siciak
  • Patent number: 10900846
    Abstract: An appliance includes an appliance interface forming a plug connection with an appliance-side interface unit of a power cable. The appliance interface includes at least one power contact part forming a power connection with a power contact part of the appliance-side interface unit supplying the appliance with electrical energy from a supply grid. The appliance interface includes a first thermoelectric element contacting a second thermoelectric element of the appliance-side interface unit, when the power connection exists. The first thermoelectric element is coupled to a first measurement input of a control unit. The appliance interface includes a measurement contact part forming a measurement connection, between the second thermoelectric element and a second measurement input of the control unit, with a measurement contact part of the appliance-side interface unit. The control unit determines measurement data relating to a measurement voltage between the first and second measurement inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Magnus Koeppl, Holger Helmschmidt, Claus Plecher
  • Patent number: 10901447
    Abstract: A power amplifier configured to amplify a received input signal, and the power amplifier includes a bias circuit and an output stage circuit. The bias circuit includes a reference voltage circuit and a bias generating circuit. The reference voltage circuit receives the first system voltage and provides a reference voltage according to a first system voltage, and the reference voltage changes as the temperature of the wafer changes. The bias generating circuit receives the second system voltage and the reference voltage, and generates an operating voltage. The output stage circuit is coupled to the bias circuit to receive the operating voltage and the driving current to receive and amplify the input signal. When a chip temperature is changed, the bias generating circuit changes the operating voltage according to the reference voltage, such that the driving current approaches a predetermined value as the chip temperature rises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: RichWave Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Hwey-Ching Chien
  • Patent number: 10892130
    Abstract: A protection device comprises a first planar substrate, a second planar substrate, a heating element and a fusible element. The second planar substrate is attached to the underside of the first planar substrate to form a composite structure. The heating element comprises an insulating layer and a heating layer disposed thereon. The heating element is disposed on the first planar substrate, and the insulating layer is disposed between the first planar substrate and the heating layer. The fusible element is disposed above the heating element. The heating element heats up to blow the fusible element in the event of over-voltage or over-temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: POLYTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventors: Tsungmin Su, Tongcheng Tsai, David Shau Chew Wang
  • Patent number: 10853547
    Abstract: Embodiments are described for identifying critical sensors of a device, such as a FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) card, installed within an IHS (Information Handling System). A remote access controller identifies temperature sensors provided by the device and determine alert level thresholds for each of the sensors. The temperature sensors are ranked based on the respective ranges of the alert level thresholds. A first portion of the temperature sensors with the smallest ranges of alert level thresholds are assigned to a first ranked list. Readings from the temperature sensors are monitored and temperature sensors indicating temperature sensor readings rising faster than a first threshold are assigned to a second ranked list. A portion of the temperature sensors in the first ranked list and a portion of the temperature sensors in the second ranked list are designated for use by an airflow cooling system of the IHS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Johan Rahardjo, Pavan Kumar Gavvala
  • Patent number: 10833574
    Abstract: A switching element control device for controlling a switching element incorporating a reverse conducting diode is provided. The switching element control device includes: a voltage detection circuit detecting a voltage across first and second main electrodes of the switching element; a comparator circuit comparing the voltage detected by the voltage detection circuit with a threshold voltage; and a drive circuit controlling driving of the switching element. The comparator circuit controls the drive circuit so that an on signal is not provided to the switching element when the detected voltage exceeds the threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Kaneda, Tetsuo Takahashi, Shinya Soneda, Ryu Kamibaba
  • Patent number: 10830622
    Abstract: A method for determining a flow rate and/or a flow velocity of a medium interacting with at least a first and a second temperature sensor element and a heating element, wherein the method comprises the following method steps: heating the medium by means of the heating element for a predetermined heating duration, wherein the medium before the heating is largely in thermal equilibrium with at least the first and second temperature sensor elements; registering at least a first and a second measured value with the assistance of the first temperature sensor element and at least a third and a fourth measured value with the assistance of the second temperature sensor element for characterizing first and second temperature rises of the medium; and ascertaining the flow rate and/or flow velocity of the medium based on the at least two temperature rises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: JOBST TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventor: Gerhard Jobst
  • Patent number: 10817457
    Abstract: A paddle board includes an electronic marker circuit configured to indicate at least one capability of a cable assembly to a device coupled to the cable assembly and to select the device as one of a source or a sink, the paddle board being powered by the device, a register configured to store at least one variable value associated with at least one of the cable assembly and the paddle board, and a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of the paddle board and configured to store a value indicating the sensed temperature in the register.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert A. Card, Erik Maier
  • Patent number: 10816316
    Abstract: A position sensor device includes a sensor head with a sensor coil, and an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter for digitizing output from the sensor coil, and sending the digital input to electronics of the device for further processing. The A/D converter is located closer to the coil than it is to the electronics, which may be in an electronics box mounted remotely from the sensor head. The A/D converter may be a part of the sensor head, may be adjacent to the sensor head, and/or may be connected to the sensor coil by an analog output cable. The analog output cable between the sensor coil and the A/D converter may be of negligible length (and of negligible capacitance), and in any event may be shorter than a digital output cable between the A/D converter and the electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Philip H. Ives, John J. Anagnost
  • Patent number: 10782338
    Abstract: A method estimates a level of damage or a lifetime expectation of a power semiconductor module having at least one die that is mechanically and electrically attached to a ceramic substrate. The ceramic substrate has piezoelectric properties and the method includes: controlling the at least one power die, the control of the at least one power die generating changes in the electrical potential across the ceramic substrate; obtaining information representative of a mechanical deformation of the ceramic substrate; determining if a notification indicating the level of damage or the lifetime expectation has to be performed according to the obtained information and reference information; and notifying the level of damage or the lifetime expectation if the determining step determines that the notification has to be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nicolas Degrenne, Stefan Mollov
  • Patent number: 10783303
    Abstract: Various aspects of a technology disclosed herein relate to thermal model obfuscation. A thermal model for a first assembly is received. An obfuscated thermal model is then generated from the thermal model. The generation comprises replacing name or names associated with one or more objects in the first assembly with obfuscated names. The obfuscated thermal model can be used in a thermal simulation of a second assembly, of which the first assembly is a component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Mentor Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: John Parry, Robin Bornoff, John Richard Wilson
  • Patent number: 10764979
    Abstract: A lighting device, such a light-emitting diode (LED) light source, may operate in an interim operable state to avoid and/or prevent undesirable characteristics in the light emitted by the lighting device (e.g., strobing and/or flickering of a brightness of the light and/or shifting or change of a color of the light). When operating in a normal state, the control circuit may determine if a measured value of a first operational characteristic (e.g., a forward voltage of an emitter of the lighting device) is outside of a range and operate in the interim operable state if the measured value of the first operational characteristic is outside of the range. When operating in the interim operable state, the control circuit may adjust a drive current for the emitter in response to a measured value of a second operational characteristic (e.g., a forward voltage of a detector of the lighting device).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Ketra, LLC
    Inventors: Jason E. Lewis, Jivan J. Luu
  • Patent number: 10759301
    Abstract: A method for charging a battery includes detecting, with an electronic processor, a presence of the battery coupled to a charging interface. The method includes receiving, with the electronic processor, a command, the command including a charge mode. The method includes, in response to receiving the command, controlling a charging circuit coupled to the charging interface to charge the battery to a predetermined level based on the charge mode. The method includes, when the battery reaches the predetermined charge level, sending a battery control command, based on the charge mode, to control an active limiting circuit of the battery via a single wire data line coupled to the charging interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Thean Song Ooi, Amy T. Herrmann, Michael D. Geren, Kow Chee Chong, Roger L. Boyer, Muhamad Ridzuan Azizan, Scott J. Arendell, John E. Herrmann, Macwien Krishnamurthi, Roy L. Kerfoot, Jr., William B. Kiger
  • Patent number: 10746425
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for performing thermal modeling. In one aspect, a method includes receiving monitoring data comprising temperature data measured inside a site, mode data, and state data, receiving weather data descriptive of weather at the site, and aligning the received temperature data, mode data, and state data with the received weather data. The method also includes determining an internal heat gain representing an amount of heat generated at the site irrespective of the heating or cooling system, determining at least one of a thermal product for the site or a thermal potential for the heating or cooling system, generating, based on the internal gain and the thermal product or the thermal potential, a thermal model for the site, and providing, as output, the generated thermal model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: EnergyHub, Inc.
    Inventors: Seth Frader-Thompson, Benjamin Hertz-Shargel, Michael DeBenedittis
  • Patent number: 10725118
    Abstract: A floating input detection method and circuits. A method for detecting a floating signal input terminal includes providing a common-mode input voltage to a first amplifier coupled to the signal input terminal, and providing an output signal generated by the first amplifier to: a non-inverting input of a second amplifier coupled to the signal input terminal, an inverting input of the second amplifier, coarse detection circuitry, and fine float detection circuitry. The method also includes comparing, by the coarse detection circuitry, the output signal to a first threshold voltage, and determining the signal input terminal to be not floating responsive to the comparing indicating that the output signal is greater than the first threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Dileep Kumar R, Srihari Varma Datla, Dipankar Mandal
  • Patent number: 10707675
    Abstract: An electric-wire protection device includes a voltage adjustment unit that adjusts the voltage to a load, and a controller that includes a temperature calculation unit that calculates temperature information on an electric wire from a value of current, and makes the voltage adjustment unit into a shut-off state based on the temperature information. The temperature information is calculated from an amount of temperature changes based on the current value and a predetermined initial value. The controller shifts into a sleep state when a sleep condition is satisfied that includes a condition that the temperature information is lower than the initial value. The initial value when the controller returns from the sleep state is based on a convergence value of temperature in conducting energization on the electric wire at a maximum value of steady-state current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignees: YAZAKI CORPORATION, HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Kikuchi, Keisuke Ueta, Syunsuke Nagakura, Takahiro Miyakawa, Tomoya Nishino, Noboru Ujigawa, Seiju Kawamata, Masataka Tsukioka, Rikuya Ezoe
  • Patent number: 10697836
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring a junction temperature of a power module junction temperature are provided. The method is capable of improving accuracy of temperature measurement by more accurately applying temperature change in a junction temperature rising section, capable of more accurately predicting durability life of a power module, and capable of increasing output power of the power module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Je Hwan Lee, Han Geun Jang, Seong Min Lee, Sang Cheol Shin, Heon Young Kwak
  • Patent number: 10690704
    Abstract: A multi-relay including a first relay switch operable over a first current range; a second relay switch operable over a second current range; and a current sensor configured to: detect an input current; in response to the input current being within the first current range, activate the first relay switch; and in response to the input current being within the second current range, activate the second relay switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: I.D. Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Ehrman, Gaurav Sheth, Maulik Patel
  • Patent number: 10678278
    Abstract: Controlling an activation status of a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller for an information handling system cooling system, such as the on/off status of the PID controller, can reduce power consumption and processing and memory requirements for such a system. A decrease in resource consumption can be realized by deactivating the PID controller during certain periods and activating the PID controller during others. For example, the PID controller can be deactivated when a temperature of a system component falls below a threshold temperature and activated when the temperature of the system component rises above the threshold temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Kevin Locke, Travis North, Joohyun Woo
  • Patent number: 10622801
    Abstract: A circuit interrupter for protecting a protected circuit includes separable contacts, an operating mechanism structured to trip open the separable contacts, a current sensor structured to sense a current flowing through the protected circuit, a temperature sensor structured to sense a temperature of the protected circuit proximate the current sensor, and a processor configured to select a trip time based on the sensed current, to adjust the selected trip time based on the sensed temperature, and to cause the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts when the adjusted selected trip time is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Sandy Jimenez, Jian Jiao
  • Patent number: 10614936
    Abstract: A varistor module includes a base, a case, a varistor body and a metal flat spring. The base has two limit structures. The case is assembled with the base and to form a closed space. The limit structures are disposed in the closed space. The varistor body includes a ceramic chip and two limit pins. The ceramic chip has two electrode layers located on two opposite surfaces, respectively. The limit pins are disposed on the electrode layers, respectively. The limit pins extend outward from the corresponding electrode layers and pass through the limit structures. One of the limit pins forms a splice segment between the electrode layer and the limit structure. The metal flat spring is disposed on the base. One end of the metal flat spring passes out of the closed space, and the other end of the metal flat spring is connected to the splice segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: POWERTECH INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jung-Hui Hsu
  • Patent number: 10607018
    Abstract: A secure memory that couples to a host memory controller via a host memory interface remains secure by permanently altering a security key when a hardware interrupt detector detects that a signal between the host memory interface hardware and the host memory controller hardware is interrupted. Such an interruption could be, for example, a blackout, a brownout, or a person decoupling any portion of the host memory interface, even pins that are normally unused by a standard memory module, such as a DRAM, MRAM, or SSD module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Xitore, Inc.
    Inventor: Mike Hossein Amidi
  • Patent number: 10593501
    Abstract: A base of a surge protector, the surge protector comprising a function rotating member (3), and the function rotating member (3) having a remote linkage rod contact wall (3D) and a remote linkage notching (3H), and the base comprising a remote device, and the remote device having at least one remote linkage rod (9), and when the function rotating member (3) is situated at the first position, the remote linkage rod (9) is pressed down by the remote linkage rod contact wall (3D), and when the function rotating member (3) is rotated from the first position to the second position, the function rotating member (3) is rotated from the remote linkage rod contact wall (3D) to the remote linkage notching (3H) with respect to the point of action of the remote linkage rod (9) to release the remote linkage rod (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignees: SHANGHAI CHENZHU INSTRUMENT CO., LTD., DINKLE ENTERPRISE CO., LTD., DINKLE ELECTRIC MACHINERY (CHINA) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chunpo Zhai, Keqi Chen, Shang-Tsai Wu
  • Patent number: 10574004
    Abstract: A cable includes: a cable part that includes a power supply line forming a power line; a connector that is provided on at least one of one end and another end of the cable part; and a circuit board that has a protection circuit including a temperature detection element and a switch that accepts a detection result of the temperature detection element to perform an operation of switchably conducting and interrupting the power line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATON
    Inventors: Yuichi Akita, Tomohiro Koga
  • Patent number: 10508957
    Abstract: A circuit is disclosed that includes a first differential input pair, a second differential input pair, and a capacitive element. The first differential input pair is configured to be activated according to an output of the second differential input pair, and the second differential input pair is configured to be activated according to an output of the first differential input pair. The first differential input pair and the second differential input pair each comprises an input configured to receive an output signal. The capacitive element configured to be charged according to the output of the first differential input pair, and configured to be discharged according to the output of the second differential input pair, in order to generate the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jaw-Juinn Horng, Szu-Lin Liu
  • Patent number: 10459516
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to restrictions in portable computing device electric power to accommodate reductions in the voltage level of a power source. An apparatus comprises a controller caused to receive configuration data from a main processor circuit specifying a voltage level threshold and selected action to take to reduce electric power to a first component in response to the voltage level falling below the first voltage level threshold, recurringly monitor the voltage level; based on the voltage level falling below the first voltage level threshold, take the first selected action and transmit a signal to the main processor circuit indicating that the voltage level has fallen below the first voltage level threshold and that the first selected action has been taken; transmit the voltage level to the main processor circuit; receive a signal from the main processor circuit to undo the first selected action; and so undo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Reed D. Vilhauer, William T. Glennan
  • Patent number: 10457119
    Abstract: An air conditioning system for motor vehicles includes a blower configured to blow an air into a vehicle room, a PTC heater configured to heat the air blown into the vehicle room, the PTC heater having a heat generation amount adjusted by PWM duty ratio control, a blower air volume change amount measurement unit configured to, when an air volume of the blower is changed, measure a blower air volume change amount per unit time during a predetermined time period from a time point at which the air volume of the blower is changed, and a control unit configured to, when the air volume of the blower is changed, correct a PWM duty ratio of the PTC heater in view of the blower air volume change amount per unit time measured by the blower air volume change amount measurement unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: HANON SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Hong Rae Jung, Se Won Min, Sang Jun Yoo
  • Patent number: 10439336
    Abstract: A plug connector part for connection to a mating plug connector part includes: at least one electrical contact element for carrying an electrical current and establishing electrical contact with at least one other contact element of a mating plug connector part; and a temperature sensor device for recording an increase in temperature of the plug connector part, the temperature sensor device including at least one sensor element, which is designed to detect infrared radiation emitted by the at least one electrical contact element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT E-MOBILITY GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Fuehrer, Markus Rose, Bodo Finken
  • Patent number: 10428625
    Abstract: A power system may include a primary battery and a reserve battery coupled with an actuator to actuate a downhole tool to perform operations downhole in a wellbore. The reserve battery may include an electrolyte having a solid state at an ambient temperate the wellbore. The primary battery may be coupled to the thermal battery to activate a heat source of the reserve battery. The heat source may generate a heat that melts the electrolyte to a molten state and actuates the reserve battery to transmit power to the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, INC.
    Inventor: Scott Thomson Leslie
  • Patent number: 10424914
    Abstract: A protective circuit protects against overheating of the stator windings of an EC motor. The stator windings are connected to a semiconductor output stage which is designed for time-offset control of the stator windings using a driver circuit of a commutation controller. The protective circuit has two redundant sensor circuits, wherein two resistance-dependent sensor elements connected in series are provided in the first sensor circuit and one resistance-dependent sensor element is provided in the second sensor circuit. The first and the second sensor circuits are connected, respectively, to two evaluating circuits separated from each other and cause an interruption of the driver circuit using switch-off means when a system-specific resistance value of the first sensor element or the one sensor element associated with the second sensor circuit is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: ebm-papst Mulfingen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Bürkert, Steffen Kammleiter, Günter Haas, Daniel König