Safety And Protection Of Systems And Devices Patents (Class 361/1)
  • Patent number: 7626286
    Abstract: The method for mains-synchronous switching of circuit breakers comprises the following method steps: measurement of the current flowing through a circuit breaker (9) and measurement of a mains voltage on a first side of the circuit breaker (9), additional voltage measurement on a second side of the circuit breaker (9), feeding of all the measurement signals to a control device (18), deciding in the control device (18), on the basis of the characteristic data stored there, which measurement signal will be used as the reference value for the mains-synchronous tripping of the circuit breaker (9), generating a switching command, which initiates the mains-synchronous switching of the circuit breaker (9) on the basis of this decision, and carrying out the switching command by the circuit breaker (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventor: Michael Stanek
  • Patent number: 7608304
    Abstract: A substrate carrying method for removing the electrical charges on a substrate and then carrying the substrate includes forming a conductive layer with conductivity on a part of the surface of the substrate, and carrying the substrate while supporting a conductive layer-forming region of the substrate by a grounded substrate supporting unit with conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Minoru Koyama
  • Publication number: 20090258283
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a bare cell and a protection circuit assembly electrically connected to the bare cell. The protection circuit assembly includes a protection circuit board on which a protection module, a PTC thermistor, an external connection terminal, a first connection terminal and a second connection terminal are mounted. A first lead plate and a second lead plate are in contact with the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal, respectively. The protection circuit board defines opposite lateral edges and a first groove in each of the opposite lateral edges, and the first lead plate is exposed through the first groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventor: Bong-Young Kim
  • Publication number: 20090231763
    Abstract: An over-voltage protection device comprises a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, a first nonrectangular conductor having a first protrusion positioned on the first surface of the substrate, a second nonrectangular conductor having a second protrusion positioned on the first surface of substrate, at least one alignment block positioned on the second surface, and a variable impedance material positioned between the first protrusion and the second protrusion. Preferably, the second protrusion faces the first protrusion to form an arcing path from the first protrusion to the second protrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: POLYTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Pao Hsuan Chen, David Shau Chew Wang, Ching Han Yu, Tong Cheng Tsai
  • Patent number: 7570062
    Abstract: An arc fault circuit breaker includes a housing, separable contacts, an operating mechanism adapted to open and close the separable contacts, and an arc fault trip mechanism cooperating with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. The arc fault trip mechanism includes an arc fault test circuit adapted to simulate an arc fault trip condition to trip open the separable contacts. A proximity sensor, such as a Hall effect sensor, is adapted to sense a magnetic target to actuate the arc fault test circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick W. Mills, Kevin D. Gonyea, Richard G. Benshoff
  • Publication number: 20090168272
    Abstract: A protective circuitry (20) is connected between a power input port (11) and an electronic component (12) of an electronic device. The protective circuitry includes a field effect transistor (21) and a detection unit (25). The field effect transistor has a gate and a drain both electrically connected to an anode of the power input port, and a source electrically connected to a cathode of the power input port via the electronic component. The detection unit has two conductive pads spaced to each other. One pad is electrically connected to the gate and the other pad is electrically connected to the cathode of the power input port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: CHI MEI COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: CHIEN-CHIH CHEN
  • Patent number: 7551411
    Abstract: A motor control module designed to control operation of a plurality of different motors in a plurality of different tools a power tool uses an electronic clutch in the module in conjunction with a mechanical clutch in the tool to protect the tool against an overload event. The module is adapted to implement methods to provide aural and/or tactile feedback to a tool user as a warning of an impending or current fault condition in the tool. The module can prevent power from inadvertently turning on either after an overload event has cleared with the tool plugged in and its power switch on, or after plugging in the tool within the power switch on. The control module is adapted to provide torque control for the power tool, to estimate tool motor temperature and to inform a tool user when a servicing need in the tool is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel G. Woods, Jason K. Leh, Daniel R. Beers, Michael K. Forster, John C. Vanko, William F. Gallagher, William G. Kalbfleisch, Robert A. Usselman, Zollie W. Privett
  • Patent number: 7542250
    Abstract: A motor starter is provided. The motor starter includes micro-electromechanical system switching circuitry. The system may further include solid state switching circuitry coupled in a parallel circuit with the electromechanical switching circuitry, and a controller coupled to the electromechanical switching circuitry and the solid state switching circuitry. The controller may be configured to perform selective switching of a load current from a motor connected to the motor starter. The switching may be performed between the electromechanical switching circuitry and the solid state switching circuitry in response to a load current condition appropriate to an operational capability of a respective one of the switching circuitries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William James Premerlani, Fengfeng Tao, Joshua Isaac Wright, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, John Norton Park, Robert Joseph Caggiano, David James Lesslie, Brent Charles Kumfer, Charles Stephan Pitzen, Kathleen Ann O'Brien, Edward Keith Howell
  • Publication number: 20090123821
    Abstract: A protection circuit module and a rechargeable battery pack including the PCM. The battery pack includes: an electrode assembly, which has a positive electrode plate, a separator, and a negative electrode plate; a case to house the electrode assembly and an electrolyte; and the protection circuit module. The protection circuit module includes: a protection circuit board having an inner surface that faces the electrode assembly and an opposing outer surface; and a protection circuit part mounted in a hole formed in the inner surface of the protection circuit board, such that the protection circuit board is flush with the inner surface of the protection circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Woochull KIM
  • Publication number: 20090097171
    Abstract: In an apparatus and method for operation of an electrical machine, the electrical machine is connected to an external controller via a switch-off line and is switched off when the external controller identifies a fault in order to prevent an electrical machine from being operated incorrectly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: Lothar Rehm, Thomas von Raumer
  • Patent number: 7518838
    Abstract: A method of protecting an electromechanical power transfer system from excessive peak electrical potentials, the power transfer system comprising a prime mover, a dynamoelectric machine coupled to the prime mover for generating multiphase alternating current (AC) power, and at least one multiphase AC electrical load coupled to the dynamoelectric machine by way of a multiphase AC power bus, the dynamoelectric machine having a control coil responsive to control current for varying power supplied to the electrical load, comprises the steps of: analysing electrical potentials on the power bus to generate analysed power bus characteristics; comparing the analysed power bus characteristics to predetermined power bus characteristics; simultaneously shunting power across the power bus and reducing control current to the control coil for the dynamoelectric machine when the analysed power bus characteristics approximate the predetermined power bus characteristics to reduce the measured electrical potentials; and simult
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne H. Oldenburg, Nicholas Allen Lemberg
  • Patent number: 7489484
    Abstract: A protective device for a controlling system of a sewage pump has a protective circuit to protect a start capacitor and to avoid the start capacitor from burnout when an overload is occurred by actuating power source (ON status) or a transient voltage is occurred by malfunction of a controlling circuit. Therefore, the start capacitor is certainly protected and significantly improved in lifespan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Inventor: Robert M. Keener
  • Patent number: 7484612
    Abstract: The invention relates to an overload protection device (1) comprising a housing (2) which is designed to be fixed to a manipulation device. The overload protection device comprises a tool holder (3) for fixing a tool that is attached to the housing in a displaceable manner, a pre-tensioning unit (4) for generating a pre-tensioning force between the housing and the tool holder, the pre-tensioning unit being configured as a piston assembly with a pressure piston which can be loaded by a medium and with a switching unit (5) that operates by means of relative displacement between the housing and the tool holder. The switching unit has a least one electrically conducting switching surface (6) and at least one electrically conducting contact element (7) that can be brought into electrical contact with the switching surface, the switching surface (6) and the contact element (7) being provided on an opposing surface section (8) of the tool holder and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Schunk GmbH & Co. KG Fabrik fuer Spann- und Greifwerkzeuge
    Inventors: Ralf Winkler, Bruno Felhauer, Friedrich Kurz
  • Patent number: 7486490
    Abstract: An actuator for a clutch or gear mechanism in a motor vehicle comprises an electric motor and an incremental encoder. The encoder comprises a position measurement signal output at which a position measurement signal can be output which has a number of different signal states, each of which is assigned to a relative position between a primary part and a secondary part of the electric motor. For the commutation of the electric motor, the position measurement signal output is connected to a position measurement signal input of a control device for a motor winding of the electric motor. The control device comprises a device for checking the plausibility of the position measurement signal and is designed in such a manner that on the occurrence of an implausible signal state the power supply to the electric motor is disconnected and/or the power of the electric motor is limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Thomas Pfund, Wai-Wal Buchet, Sven-Jostein Kro, Martin Zimmermann, Juergen Gerhart, Martin Fuss
  • Publication number: 20090021077
    Abstract: A system to connect an electrical device to a switch which connects or disconnects the device to the power source, and providing power to the charger and/or another operational circuit of the device, for example, keep-alive circuit, with no dependency in the state of the switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventor: Ofer Zilberberg
  • Publication number: 20090002900
    Abstract: A system for protecting an electronic devices includes a memory unit, a reading unit, a judging unit, an extra action unit, and a writing unit. The memory unit is configured for storing a variable, the variable having a first value representing the last power off of the electronic device being abnormal and a second value representing the last power off of the electronic device being normal. The reading unit is configured for reading the variable stored in the memory unit in the power-on process of the electronic device. The judging unit is configured for judging whether the last power off of the electronic device is abnormal according to the value of the variable. The extra action unit is configured for protecting the electronic device by executing an extra action, if the last power off of the electronic device was abnormal. The writing unit is used for changing the variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tsung-Je CHIU
  • Publication number: 20080310070
    Abstract: A device protection system for a device that operates using a replaceable component provided with a replaceable component, component monitor, and a means for disabling the replaceable component. The component monitor is provided with a storage unit, a sensing unit, a determination unit and a control unit that engages a disabling device for rendering the replaceable component inoperable in, or incompatible with, a device within which the replaceable component is intended to operate such as, an image forming device. In particular, the component monitors the temperature of an environment relating to the replaceable component that if exceeded, will affect performance of the replaceable component. The component will disable the disabling unit to protect the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Paul Wegman
  • Publication number: 20080309252
    Abstract: The dimmer controller cart be installed within the structure of a light fixture or freestanding lamp, alternatively the circuit can be installed in a cord. The circuit includes a power shaping circuit for control of the incoming AC power which is then sent through a variable control dimmer to vary the power to the lamp. The wattage through the lamp is monitored and the monitored wattage is sent as an input to the a control IC which uses an outout to control the voltage to the lamp as an overload protection. The circuit is used to control the wattage supplied to & lamp from a minimum non-activating wattage to a maximum a maximum wattage which can for example be 190 W. When the current reaches the maximum wattage, for example 190 W, then the light will exceed protection overload and the circuit will re-start.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Ye Guanrong, Ye Guanlin, Chou Shih Biry
  • Publication number: 20080305367
    Abstract: A battery pack including: a bare cell, a case to house the bare cell, having at least one hole formed therein; a protection circuit board connected to bare cell; an adhesive applied onto the case, and to the bare cell via the hole, and a label attached to the bare cell and the case, by the adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Woon-Seong BAEK, Heong-Sin Kim
  • Patent number: 7463463
    Abstract: A motor controller includes: an estimated temperature calculating section that calculates and stores an estimated temperature of a motor, and a control section that can perform a drive control of the motor only when this estimated temperature is not larger than a predetermined value. When the motor is stopped, a second temperature gradient while the temperature of the motor decreases from a stop-time temperature to a predetermined first set temperature is stored in correspondence to the stop-time temperature. The first temperature gradient corresponding to the estimated temperature at a time when the motor is stopped is calculated by using the first temperature gradient storing means, if the estimated temperature stored in the estimated temperature storing means when the motor is stopped is larger than the first set temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: ASMO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Kobayashi, Tatsuya Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20080297956
    Abstract: A method of electronic ballast protection including providing an electronic ballast having an AC/DC converter 104 with an electronic ballast input and a mains voltage connection 103 connectable to a mains voltage 102, an inverter 120 operably connected to the AC/DC converter 104 and having an electronic ballast output 125 connectable to a lamp 124, a control circuit 116 controlling the inverter 120, and a low voltage power supply 114 providing low voltage power to the control circuit 116; supplying power to the low voltage power supply 114 from the electronic ballast input when the mains voltage connection 103 is wired to mains voltage 102; and disconnecting the power to the low voltage power supply 114 when the electronic ballast output 125 is wired to the mains voltage 102.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: Roy Hendrik Anna Maria Van Zundert, Subramanian Muthu, Wouter Edgard Koen Broeckx, Gerlach Corne Pieter Maria Emmen, Oscar Jan Deurloo, Lukas Leyten
  • Patent number: 7460929
    Abstract: A fault monitoring and management system integrates a fault controller with the power load functions within the power management device of a battery operated system. Multiple input load lines allow the fault controller to diagnose and disable defective or faulty power load functions that draw current from the system supply or battery. In addition, the fault monitor allows the system to stay operational if the fault is non-catastrophic to the critical functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas D. Lopata
  • Publication number: 20080291593
    Abstract: Device protection using temperature compensation. A logic module associated with groups of capacitors adjusts complex impedance planes associated with the capacitor groups to account for ambient temperature variations. In particular, the logic module is configured to adjust a center of a circle of each complex impedance plane based on an average impedance. The average impedance for a selected capacitor group includes impedance measurements for groups other than the selected group, to prevent capacitor failures in that group from skewing the average. The logic module can adjust the circle center in response to changes in average impedance over periods of time. For example, the logic module can filter measured differences in average impedance using a low pass filter, to distinguish slow impedance changes caused by temperature variations and rapid impedance changes caused by capacitor failures. The logic module can adjust the circle center in accordance with the filtered difference value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Timothy Robert Day, Daniel Patrick Roth
  • Publication number: 20080291587
    Abstract: An electronic appliance having a plurality of components is equipped with: a first component whose failure is directly coupled to a risk with respect to a safe aspect of the electronic appliance; a second component by which even when the second component fails, although the failure of the second component does not give an adverse influence to safety of the electronic appliance, the failure of the second component causes the electronic appliance to lose a major function thereof; and a fail-safe circuit for stopping operation of the second component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventor: Tsutomu DAIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20080285184
    Abstract: A power converter includes a controller and at least one output terminal for providing an output voltage and an output current to a load. The controller is configured for monitoring the output voltage and the output current and calculating an efficiency of the power converter based on the monitored output voltage and output current. The controller is also configured to generate a fault signal after detecting a degradation in the power converter efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Vijay Phadke, Gordon Currie, Arlaindo Asuncion
  • Publication number: 20080266726
    Abstract: Embodiments include a server and a sensor that detects when a first fluid line to the server fails so a second fluid line to the server is activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Vance Murakami, Christian L. Belady, Paul L. Perez, Robert A. Pereira
  • Patent number: 7433164
    Abstract: A ceiling fan motor control module includes a digital core controller coupled to a brushless motor for computing, processing, transmitting and controlling signals and providing a soft start and stop function, a back stage output device for receiving signals from the digital core controller and modulating the voltage to a predetermine operating value for driving the brushless motor, a protection control device for receiving and detecting signals from each power supply, back stage output device and brushless motor to effectively provide an automatic tripping protection, a signal indication module for receiving signals from the digital core controller to indicate the current status of the digital core controller, and an interface processing device installed between each power supply and the digital core controller for receiving a feedback signal and a control command of the digital core controller, such that the protection control device can automatically and effectively disconnect the output and stop the operat
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Inventor: Hui-Yen Chu
  • Publication number: 20080236886
    Abstract: The invention concerns a panel box, for the electrical connection of a photovoltaic module for a solar installation, with a base piece (1) for mounting on the photovoltaic module and for the electrical connection of a connection line of the photovoltaic module, and with another part for placement on the base piece (1). According to the invention, the other part is designed as a functional part (2), having at least one functional device performing an electrical and/or electronic function. This provides a panel box which is easy to install and, what is more, it enables an easy replacement of a defective component in event of a fault.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicants: GUNTHER SPELSBERG GMBH & CO. KG, MULTI-CONTACT AG
    Inventors: Walter Gerull, Anton Burge-Allenspach
  • Patent number: 7428131
    Abstract: A protective shield that may be secured to an electrical racking rod of the type used for performing electrical work on various types of energized electrical equipment. The protective shield includes a transparent plate formed of an impact resistant, fire retardant material; a clamping mechanism secured to the plate and at least one adaptor for securing the racking rod to the plate. The adaptor is engaged by the clamping mechanism to secure the racking rod to the plate. The protective shield provides physical protection to workers when removing or resetting electrical circuit breakers by acting as a barrier between the worker and the equipment while providing complete visibility to the task being performed. A plurality of adaptors may be provided to enable the plate to be utilized with any one of a plurality of different diameter racking rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Gary Guard, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Stillwagon, Elihu Hoagland, IV
  • Publication number: 20080224850
    Abstract: At least one embodiment of the invention relates to a fieldbus system, in particular for use in an explosion-hazard area. The fieldbus system, in at least one embodiment, has a plurality of bus line sections with bus lines; an isolating element, by which in each case two of the plurality of bus line sections are coupled to one another and which galvanically isolates the bus lines of the two bus line sections from one another such that this prevents any direct current flowing between the bus lines of the two bus line sections and communication signals are transmitted between the two bus line sections; and a supply source for each of the bus line sections, in order to provide an electrical power supply for field devices which can be connected to the respective bus line section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Klaus Indefrey, Maximilian Korff, Andreas Schiff, Bernhard Wiesgickl
  • Publication number: 20080218916
    Abstract: A system and method is presented for component failure protection. In one embodiment, the system includes an operational circuit configured to operate in a first operational state, wherein the first operational state is in proximity of a circuit failure threshold. Additionally, the system may include a canary circuit configured to mimic the operational characteristics of the operational circuit, wherein the canary circuit is configured to operate in a second operational state, and wherein the second operational state is in closer proximity of a circuit failure threshold than the proximity of the of the first operational state. The system may also include a variable input control coupled to the operational circuit and the canary circuit, wherein the variable input control is configured to monitor the second operational state and adjust an input to the operational circuit based on the proximity of the second operational state to the circuit failure threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: David Frank Hepner, Andrew Dale Walls
  • Publication number: 20080211426
    Abstract: A method according to on embodiment may include generating AC voltage and current and a striking voltage. The method of this embodiment may also include generating striking voltage and steady-state voltage for at least two lamp loads. The method of this embodiment may also include coupling at least two lamp loads in parallel. The method of this embodiment may also include coupling current balancing circuitry to the at least two lamp loads and providing, by the current balancing circuitry simultaneous striking voltage to the at least two lamps loads. The method of this embodiment may also include balancing, by the current balancing circuitry, AC current through the at least two lamp loads. Of course, many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: O2MICRO INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Ching Chuan Kuo, Houng Kuo Hsu
  • Publication number: 20080203941
    Abstract: An image display apparatus includes: a lighting unit which includes a lamp unit, and illuminates light onto a display screen; a power supply unit which supplies electric power to drive the lamp unit in the lighting unit; a main circuit unit which outputs a brightness control signal to control brightness of the lighting unit, and controls the power supply unit; and a constant voltage generator which is provided between the main circuit unit and the power supply unit, and controls magnitude of the brightness control signal which is output from the main circuit unit, to generate a constant voltage, wherein, by detecting over-current flowing in the lamp unit, the main circuit unit outputs the brightness control signal to apply a corresponding voltage to the lamp unit according to a form of the over-current, or activates the constant voltage generator so that the brightness control signal can be controlled by the constant voltage generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-cheol HEO
  • Patent number: 7417388
    Abstract: A running machine that can prevent overturning of a body in the case of occurrence of an abnormality is provided. The running machine substantially supports the body with coaxially arranged drive wheels, and can drive while maintaining the balance of the body. A control module of the machine comprises a stabilization controller that computes a first torque command for maintaining the balance of the body and a travel controller that computes a second torque command for driving the running machine. A sum of the first torque command and the second torque command is inputted into the motors. When an abnormal condition detector detects occurrence of an abnormal condition, a safe mode controller prohibits the travel controller from outputting the second torque command. This could enable all torque that the motors can output to be used to maintain the balance of the body when occurrence of an abnormal condition is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshio Fuwa
  • Publication number: 20080192399
    Abstract: A protection circuit is located in a secondary battery apparatus. The secondary battery apparatus includes a battery module and an input/output terminal. The protection circuit includes a first protection module, an electronic module, and a second protection module. The first protection module is coupled between the battery module and the input/output terminal. The first protection module is used to conduct on or cut off the circuit loop between the battery module and the input/output terminal. The electronic module is coupled with the battery module for monitoring the parameters of the battery module and controlling the first protection module to conduct on or cut off the circuit loop between the battery module and the input/output terminal. The second protection module is coupled with the electronic module for monitoring the operation current of the electronic module to conduct on or cut off the circuit loop of the electronic module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventor: Sheng-Chung Chen
  • Patent number: 7401237
    Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one load, a control circuit, and a power supplying apparatus including a control-use power supply part, at least one load-use-power supply part, and a power supply control part. The control-use power supply part supplies first electric power to the control circuit, and stops supplying the first electric power and outputs a first detection signal when detecting a first abnormal operation state. The at least one load-use power supply part supplies second electric power to the respective at least one load, and stops supplying the second electric power and outputs a second detection signal when detecting a second abnormal operation state. The power supply control part causes the control-use power supply part to stop supplying the first electric power according to the first detection signal, and causes the at least one load-use power supply part to stop supplying the second electric power according to the second detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kentaroh Hara
  • Publication number: 20080151443
    Abstract: An apparatus 100 for protecting electrical products, consumer electronics devices in particular, from A/C voltage problems while providing enhanced wireless or wired networking data functionality. Apparatus 100 transmits data signals on AC power lines and routes them around selected power protection components to outlets for connecting with the electronic devices. Apparatus 100 delivers analog and/or digital high resolution media from an Internet protocol home or world network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Monster Cable Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Noel Lee, Demian Martin, Anthony Dichiro
  • Publication number: 20080143243
    Abstract: A flat or substantially flat luminous structure. First and second walls face each other and define an internal space that includes a light source. First and second electrodes for the light source generate electric field lines with at least one component perpendicular to the first and second electrodes, the first electrode supplied or configured to be supplied with a high frequency electromagnetic signal. As an outer covering for the first electrode, an electrical safety system includes an electrical conductor separated from the first electrode by a dielectric, the conductor connected or configured to be connected to a power supply with a potential V and/or with a frequency f, these being adjusted so that the peak value of the external leakage current is equal to 2 mA or less if f is zero, or equal to 0.7 mA or less if f is nonzero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Guillaume Auday, Jingwei Zhang, Didier Duron, Sereyvuth Chan
  • Publication number: 20080134841
    Abstract: A powered driver and methods are disclosed, the driver including a head having a gapped jaw and housing a motor driven drive transfer assembly for operating a rotatable split socket engageable at a threaded connector. A reaction unit having a biased fitting engagement attached to rail guides is movably maintained through the head, and a probe and switch are associated with different ones of the reaction unit and the head. A safety assembly includes a biased gate switch engageable with a signal switch and is located at the head for sending run status electrical signals to the driver dependent on position of the gate switch. Indicator and control arrays are provided for user interface and driver status monitoring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventor: David Wilson
  • Patent number: 7370218
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable computer including a main body, a display rotatably connected to the main body, a latching portion provided in one of the main body and the display part, a latch member provided in the other one of the main body and the display and movable between a latching position, wherein the latch member is latched in the latching part and the display is prevented from opening, and a releasing position, where the latch member is released from the latching portion, a latch switch contacting the latch member if the latch member is at the releasing position, and a controller supplying electric power to a system of the computer if the latch switch generates a contact signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin-hyung Lee
  • Patent number: 7352546
    Abstract: A motor overcurrent protection device connectable to a motor. The motor has a rotary shaft and a controlling port. The motor overcurrent protection device includes a sensing unit, a driving unit and a controlling unit. The sensing unit includes a magnetic block arranged on a circumference of the rotary shaft and a Hall device positioned beside the rotary shaft. The magnetic block is rotatable along with the rotary shaft to be instantaneously aligned with the Hall device. The driving unit is electrically connected with the controlling port of the motor. The controlling unit is electrically connected with the sensing unit and the driving unit. When the motor operates, each time the magnetic block is aligned with the Hall device, the Hall device outputs a pulse signal which is stored in the controller of the controlling unit. All the pulse signals are summed up in a preset sensing time of the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignees: Tranmax Machinery Co., Ltd., Emir System Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Frank Wang, Pao-Hsiang Chen
  • Publication number: 20080074809
    Abstract: A power level meter and method for an AC electrical appliance that can be implemented in the plug of the appliance, monitoring power in response load on the appliance and/or implemented as a module into which an existing appliance is inserted, thereby providing a retrofit solution for appliance AC current monitoring. By using thermo chromic ink and a heat generating resistor, the meter will display different colors on its face to illustrate electrical current flow or demand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventor: Farhad Aframian
  • Publication number: 20080077340
    Abstract: Some embodiments of a method, apparatus, and system for power source failure prediction are described. According to some embodiments, the system may include, among other things, a display device to draw power from a direct current power source, two or more electrical lines positioned on either side of the direct current power source to determine a voltage across the direct current power source, and a power source management unit coupled to the two or more electrical lines to measure the voltage. In some embodiments, a cell monitoring unit may be coupled to the two or more electrical lines to measure the voltage for the power source management unit, where the cell monitoring unit is capable of converting the measured voltage to a digital signal, measuring the rate of change of the voltage over a period of time, and providing information to the power source management unit. Other embodiments are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventor: Don J. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20080059087
    Abstract: A method of identifying an electrical fault in an electrical system may include coupling an electronic service tool to an electronic control module. The method may also include instructing the electronic control module to disable an enable condition and modify a trip condition set by the electronic control module. The method may further include monitoring the electrical system as a user wiggles a component of the electrical system. The method may further include providing the electronic control module with electrical system data, and generating a fault code when the electrical system data fulfills the modified trip condition. The method may further include communicating the fault code to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: James A. Roal, Mark J. Hilbert
  • Patent number: 7337081
    Abstract: A metering device of a power substation and method are provided for operating on a secondary analog waveform output by a transformer assembly receiving a primary waveform. The method includes stepping down the secondary waveform and generating a corresponding output signal; operating on the corresponding output signal for generating a corresponding first digital signal having a value proportional to the corresponding output signal and within a first range; and operating on the corresponding output signal for generating a corresponding second digital signal having a value proportional to the corresponding output signal and within a second range. The method further includes processing the first digital signal and outputting a corresponding first output signal; processing the second digital signal and outputting a corresponding second output signal; processing the first and second output signals; and generating output corresponding to the processing of the first and second output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Electro Industries/Gauge Tech
    Inventor: Erran Kagan
  • Patent number: 7330126
    Abstract: A power supply controller is used in a device including at least one component and at least one control board for controlling an operation of each component, and includes: a power supply section; and a power supply board for independently supplying a power supply voltage output from the power supply section to each of the component and the control board. The power supply board includes an output control circuit for independently controlling to output or to stop outputting the power supply voltage supplied from the power supply board to each of the components based on a signal indicating one of a normal state and an abnormal state of the power supply voltage used in each control board, which is fed back to the power supply board from each control board when the power supply voltage is supplied from the power supply board to each control board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Fuji Film Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kouji Yanagi, Jun Fukazawa
  • Publication number: 20080030931
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enabling internal circuitry associated with a device to be efficiently replaced in an operating environment for the device are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a device includes an enclosure that defines an interior of the device, and a circuit arrangement that is located in the interior. A data port interface is located in the interior, and the device also includes a receptacle and a protection circuitry arrangement. The receptacle is coupled to the circuit arrangement, and the protection circuitry arrangement provides protection to the circuit arrangement. The protection circuitry arrangement has an interface that is removably coupled to the receptacle such that at least a portion of the protection circuitry arrangement is contained in the interior of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: FREDERIC MICHAEL KOZAK, KEVIN FRANKLIN CASEY, MARK ALLEN ROSEN, MILTON PALMER HILLIARD
  • Publication number: 20080024939
    Abstract: The present invention provides for an Ethernet, or similar, communication system safety device for hazardous environments arranged for coupling to an apparatus within a hazardous environment in an Intrinsically Safe manner, including first input means arranged for receiving data signals; first output means arranged to transmit data signals; and an energy limiting means having at least one capacitor, and generally at least two capacitors, arranged to block a DC component of data signals received in the safety device, the energy limiting means being coupled at a first end to the first input means and at a second end to the first output means and arranged to limit the energy of data signals received in the safety device prior to transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: CONTROLLED SYSTEMS LTD
    Inventor: Ian COOPER
  • Publication number: 20080012720
    Abstract: A current monitoring device (CMD) with a set of electromagnetic field sensors located within one or more grounded housings positioned within the combined electromagnetic fields generated by one or more electric power lines. The CMD includes electronics, typically located within the grounded housings, defining impedance networks that combine the measurements received from the field sensors to create output signal indicative of electric current values for the phase conductors. The housings can be conveniently attached and to transmission line towers, distribution line poles, and high voltage power line supports in transmission and distribution substations. The CMD controls response equipment, such as a circuit interrupter that responds to current disturbances detected by the CMD. The CMD may also include communication for sending the current values to a remote controller, such as a central control station, that implements a wide range of response equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventor: Joseph R. Rostron
  • Patent number: 7319922
    Abstract: A protective device for an electrical power distribution network has: means for processing measured values from measurement appliances for the power distribution network, means for initiating switching commands by means of primary appliances for the power distribution network, as well as a programmable protective function which, when it is carried out, determines the switching commands on the basis of the measured values. In this case, the protective device has programmable logic, which can be programmed in order to carry out the protective function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd
    Inventors: Bernhard Deck, Franz Zurfluh, Michael Stanimirov