Reverse Energy Responsive (e.g., Directional) Patents (Class 361/82)
-
Patent number: 11996830Abstract: One example described herein includes a power switch control system. The system includes a first monitoring terminal coupled to a first terminal of a power transistor and a second monitoring terminal coupled to a second terminal of the power transistor. The power transistor and the power switch control system can form an ideal diode between the first monitoring terminal arranged as an anode and the second monitoring terminal arranged as a cathode. The system further includes a reverse current controller coupled to the first monitoring terminal and the second monitoring terminal and is configured to control activation of the power transistor to conduct a reverse current from the second monitoring terminal to the first monitoring terminal in response to a reverse voltage arranged as a cathode voltage at the second monitoring terminal being greater than an anode voltage at the first monitoring terminal.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2021Date of Patent: May 28, 2024Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Kushal D. Murthy, Subrato Roy, Dilip Kumar Jain, Abhijeet Gopal Godbole
-
Patent number: 11881770Abstract: A voltage converter having a voltage input and a voltage output, the voltage converter including a first and second transistors and an average current control circuit. The first transistor has a first control input, a first current terminal, and a second current terminal. The first current terminal is adapted to be coupled to a switch node. The second transistor has a second control input, a third current terminal, and a fourth current terminal. The third current terminal is adapted to be coupled to an inductor. The average current control circuit is coupled to the third current terminal and the fourth current terminal. The average current control circuit is configured to determine an average current level of current flowing through the second transistor and to control a voltage on the first control input of the first terminal based on the determined average current level.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2021Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Jian Liang, Yao Lu, Chen Feng
-
Patent number: 11632043Abstract: A circuit device includes a regulator, a charge pump circuit, an overvoltage detection circuit, and a control circuit. The regulator regulates a power supply voltage. The charge pump circuit outputs, a gate control voltage, to a gate node of an N-type transistor provided between a power supply node and a load, based on a regulated voltage. The overvoltage detection circuit detects an overvoltage of the regulated voltage. The control circuit controls to stop the charge pump circuit when the overvoltage is detected by the overvoltage detection circuit.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2022Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Inventors: Katsumi Inoue, Yusuke Sano, Motoaki Nishimura
-
Patent number: 11056874Abstract: An electric power delivery system may be protected upon occurrence of a fault condition by the systems and methods disclosed herein by detecting the fault condition and signaling a protective action before the overcurrent condition reaches the protective equipment. The protective action may be an opening of a circuit breaker or engagement of a fault current limiter. The overcurrent condition may be a non-steady-state condition. The fault may be detected using traveling wave or incremental quantity techniques.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2019Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, Bogdan Z. Kasztenny, David E. Whitehead
-
Patent number: 11050400Abstract: An impedance matching device comprises a variable capacitor including multiple capacitance elements and connected in parallel having capacitors and each having one end connected in series to a high-frequency power source and semiconductor switches and connected to the respective capacitors, and a control unit. The control unit derives a reflection coefficient based on the obtained information concerning an impedance viewed from the high-frequency power source toward the load side, updates the states of the respective semiconductor switches and included in the multiple capacitance elements and with a first cycle in the case where the reflection coefficient is equal to or more than a predetermined value, and updates the states of the respective semiconductor switches and included in the plurality of capacitance elements and with a second cycle longer than the first cycle in the case where the reflection coefficient is less than the predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2019Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: DAIHEN CorporationInventor: Tatsuya Morii
-
Patent number: 11031776Abstract: Embodiments of overvoltage protection devices and a method for operating an overvoltage protection device are disclosed. In an embodiment, an overvoltage protection device includes a switch circuit connected between an input terminal from which an input voltage is received and an output terminal from which an output voltage is output and including multiple NMOS transistors and multiple PMOS transistors connected in series between the input terminal and the output terminal, a first voltage generation circuit configured to, generate a first voltage that is applied to the NMOS transistors and a second voltage that is applied to a body of each of the PMOS transistors, in response to the input voltage and a supply voltage, and a second voltage generation circuit configured to generate a third voltage that is applied to the PMOS transistors in response to the input voltage and the first voltage.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2018Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: NXP B.V.Inventors: Siamak Delshadpour, Xiaoqun Liu
-
Patent number: 10805141Abstract: A generating unit that generates phase difference-added first data obtained by adding a phase change according to second data to a first signal indicating first data and a transmitting unit that transmits the phase difference-added first data are provided, and thus the first data and the second data can be transmitted through a simple configuration.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2017Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITEDInventor: Hideki Matsui
-
Patent number: 10439607Abstract: A circuit breaker device includes at least one circuit breaker component with an input terminal (18), an output terminal (22) and with a driving terminal (26). The circuit breaker component (14) is in a conductor state when driving voltage is applied to the driving terminal (26) and is in a diode state when driving voltage is not applied thereto, resulting in a component blocked state when the input terminal (18) is at a higher potential than the output terminal (22). A driving unit (30) provides a driving voltage to the driving terminal. An auxiliary driving unit (38) provides an auxiliary driving voltage to the driving terminal (26). The auxiliary driving unit (38) generates the auxiliary driving voltage based on a voltage drop between the input terminal and the output terminal in the diode state and the circuit breaker component output terminal is at a higher potential than the input terminal.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2017Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: Eberspächer Controls Landau GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Steffen Wandres, Christian Knopf
-
Patent number: 10027107Abstract: A host electronic device may be coupled to an accessory electronic device. The host device and the accessory device may be connected via power supply lines and user data lines. If the host and accessory devices are improperly connected or if the accessory device is exposed to an incorrect voltage environment, the internal circuitry on the accessory device can be damaged. The accessory device may therefore include a reverse voltage protection circuit that can help prevent a large amount of current from inadvertently flowing into the accessory device. The protection circuit may include a low-side-enabled reverse current protection switch coupled between the external and internal ground terminals and also a single low-drop switch coupled to each of the user data lines. The low-drop switch will be activated whenever the voltage at the external ground terminal exceeds the voltage at the data line to help deactivate low-side-enabled reverse current protection switch.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Robert M. Proie, Salvatore Reddiconto
-
Patent number: 9385529Abstract: Power supply current is supplied to a plurality of electric loads, the power supply current being generated by a DC power supply, flowing in and branching from a shared power supply switching device and then flowing in reverse connection protection devices that are a field-effect transistor and connected in series to the electric loads, respectively. The reverse connection protection devices are connected in a polarity such that the power supply current flows in the forward direction of parasitic diodes generated between the source terminal S and the drain terminal D of the field-effect transistor. When the current in the field-effect transistor is less than a predetermined value, a gate control circuit interrupts the gate voltage of the reverse connection protection device to cause the reverse connection protection device to open.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2013Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CoporationInventors: Shozo Kanzaki, Koji Hashimoto, Tomohiro Kimura
-
Patent number: 9270250Abstract: An impedance adjustment apparatus of the invention performs impedance matching using characteristic parameters, even where a high frequency power source of variable frequencies is used. The apparatus is applicable to a power supply system using a high frequency power source of variable frequencies. Characteristic parameters obtained by targeting a portion of combinations of position information (C) of a variable capacitor and output frequency information (F) of the power source are stored in a memory. A T-parameter acquisition unit acquires characteristic parameters corresponding to (Cnow, Fnow) at the current time. An output reflection coefficient calculation unit calculates a reflection coefficient of an output end. A target information specifying unit, based on the above information and a target input reflection coefficient, specifies target combination information in which a reflection coefficient of an output end approaches the target input reflection coefficient.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2015Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: DAIHEN CorporationInventors: Takashi Shimomoto, Koji Itadani, Masakatsu Mito
-
Patent number: 9252669Abstract: The present invention provides an Alternating Current/Direct Current (AC/DC) converter employing measures not only against residual voltage but also to reduce power consumption. The AC/DC converter receives an Alternating Current (AC) voltage through a concentric plug and converts the AC voltage into a Direct Current (DC) voltage. A discharge path is disposed on a path from a discharge terminal to a ground terminal. A detection circuit compares a wave detection voltage with a predetermined threshold voltage, and enables the discharge path to be turned on when the wave detection voltage is continuously lower than the threshold voltage for a predetermined detection time.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2012Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.Inventors: Satoru Nate, Hiroshi Hayashi
-
Bidirectional 3 phase power meter for compensating reverse load flow and method for metering thereby
Patent number: 9110110Abstract: The present invention relates to a bidirectional 3 phase power meter for compensating reverse load flow and a method for metering thereby. According to the present invention, there is provided a bidirectional 3 phase power meter for compensating reverse load flow which allows calculating power receiving and power transmitting apparent power and power factor using the detected voltage/current and a method for metering thereby.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2010Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATIONInventor: Dong-Yeol Shin -
Patent number: 9057751Abstract: A ground fault detection circuit for detecting ground faults in electrical subsea conductor lines including a first electrical conductor line, a second electrical conductor line, a first ground fault detection line, and a second ground fault detection line. The ground fault detection circuit further includes a first resistor operatively connected to a voltage source and the first ground fault detection line, a second resistor operatively connected to the voltage source and the second ground fault detection line, and a voltage detection device configured to detect the voltage at an output end of the first resistor to determine the presence of a ground fault in at least one of the first and second conductor lines.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2011Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Ronald Spencer, Kirtikumar Patel
-
Publication number: 20140247528Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for determining the direction of current flowing through a circuit breaker. An embodiment includes obtaining a sample value of current flowing through the circuit breaker and a differential value of current; obtaining a sample value of voltage at the circuit breaker; on the basis of a relationship between voltage and current in an equivalent circuit in which the circuit breaker lies at the present time and at a previous time, obtaining an equivalent resistance and an equivalent inductance in the equivalent circuit; if the equivalent resistance and equivalent inductance are both greater than zero, determining that the direction of current flowing through the circuit breaker is the same as the current reference direction, and if the equivalent resistance and equivalent inductance are both less than zero, determining that the direction of current flowing through the circuit breaker is opposite to the current reference direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2014Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Wei Gang CHEN, Feng DU, Yue ZHUO
-
Patent number: 8780513Abstract: A reverse battery protection circuit for an actuator or the like. The circuit includes at least a first transistor and a second transistor which is coupled to both the first transistor and a voltage supply in a manner wherein the second transistor is adapted to turn the first transistor off in the event of an interruption in the voltage supply.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2011Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: CTS CorporationInventor: Kristopher L. Desrochers
-
Patent number: 8680708Abstract: In response to turning-on of a lock-type power switch, an initial controller outputs a first voltage for a first period and a gate is turned on for the period via a first driver responsive to the first voltage, then DC power is supplied to a main circuit. During the period, a control processor causes a voltage output section to start outputting a second voltage so that the gate is turned on via a second driver to continue the DC power supply. When no event has been generated for a second period, the second voltage from the voltage output section is stopped to turn off the gate, thus the power supply to the main circuit is shut off. Once a power from outside is switched from OFF to ON while the power switch kept ON, the power supply to the main circuit is resumed via the controller and first driver.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventor: Tamotsu Shirai
-
Patent number: 8675326Abstract: A bidirectional switch device, has: a bidirectional switch having a HEMT; and a control circuit which, during a first condition, applies a first voltage lower than a threshold voltage across a gate and one terminal among a source and a drain of the HEMT to turn off a first current path from the other terminal among the source and the drain to the one terminal, and during a second condition, applies a second voltage lower than the threshold voltage across the other terminal and the gate to turn off a second current path from the one terminal to the other terminal, and further during a third condition, applies a third voltage higher than the threshold voltage across the source and the gate and across the drain and the gate of the HEMT to turn on the first and second current paths.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2012Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor LimitedInventor: Ken Shono
-
Patent number: 8553382Abstract: A circuit protection system for a power panel is disclosed. The circuit protection system includes a transistor connected in a channel of a power panel, the transistor connected between return connections of a load and a return path, and the power panel including a plurality of channels connected to the load. The circuit protection system also includes control circuitry electrically connected in parallel with the transistor, the control circuitry configured to selectively activate the transistor to allow current to pass through the transistor based on an observed voltage across the transistor.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2009Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.Inventor: Joseph C. Coffey
-
Patent number: 8547671Abstract: The electronic device for protecting against a polarity reversal of a DC power supply voltage comprises, produced within one and the same integrated circuit, an N-channel main transistor (TP) mounted on the line of expected positive polarity of the power supply voltage and command means (MCM) for the main transistor comprising a charging pump circuit (CP), associated with a dynamic biasing circuit (MCTRL) for the substrate regions of active components connected to the main transistor.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2010Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SASInventor: Antoine Pavlin
-
Patent number: 8494178Abstract: Methods and techniques to implement a digital signal processor for avoidance of audio feedback are disclosed, in particular, audio signal processing systems that reduce the requirement for physical segregation of sound acquisition and diffusion zones. In a more general aspect, the components and techniques described herein provide a for a sound space and sound processing equipment such that sound travelling electronically in a loop through the sound processing equipment that is output into a physical sound diffusion zone, received at the input to the sound processing equipment, and then re-amplified, etc. is attenuated over that loop by frequency modification. The frequency modification is such that, at least for some signals, on each pass through the loop, the sound processing equipment will attenuate or amplify individual sub-bands of the frequency spectrum of the audio signal that is received at the input of the sound processing equipment.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2010Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: PixarInventors: Loren Carpenter, Lanny Smoot, Alex Stahl
-
Publication number: 20120206110Abstract: A reverse current prevention circuit, connected to an input terminal, an output terminal, and a driver transistor, including a current detection circuit to detect a current flowing through the driver transistor, and convert the detected current into a detection voltage; a proportional voltage generator to generate a proportional voltage proportional to a difference voltage between an input voltage at the input terminal and an output voltage at the output terminal; an inversely-proportional voltage generator to generate an inversely-proportional voltage inversely proportional to the difference voltage between the input voltage and the output voltage; and a comparison circuit to compares the generated voltages. When the detection voltage, the proportional voltage, and the inversely-proportional voltage are equal, the comparison circuit determines that the indication of the reverse current is detected and prevents the reverse current flowing from the output terminal to the input terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2012Publication date: August 16, 2012Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventor: Junji NISHIDA
-
Patent number: 8222860Abstract: A power transmission control device included in a contactless power transmission system in which power is transmitted from a power transmission device to a power receiving device by electromagnetically coupling a primary coil and a secondary coil and the power is supplied to a load of the power receiving device, includes a controller controlling the power transmission control device, and a load condition detection circuit detecting a load condition on a power receiving side. The controller determines the load condition on the power receiving side based on threshold information received from the power receiving device and load condition detection information from the load condition detection circuit.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2009Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Takahiro Kamijo, Yoichiro Kondo, Kota Onishi, Masayuki Kamiyama, Nobutaka Shiozaki
-
Patent number: 8203234Abstract: A power safety system includes a first MOS, a second MOS, a switch and a body controller. The first MOS is connected between a power input and a power output. The second MOSFET is connected between the power output and a charging output. The switch has an end connected to the body of the first MOS, and the opposite end switched between the source and the drain of the first MOS. A body controller controls the switch according to the voltage at the power input and the voltage at the power output, to connect the body of the first MOS to the source or the drain of the first MOS. By switching the switch, the first MOS will have a parasitic diode effective to prevent a reverse current from the power output to the power input.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2010Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: Richtek Technology Corp.Inventors: Li-Wei Lee, Nien-Hui Kung, Kwan-Jen Chu, Chun-Tsung Chen
-
Patent number: 8169169Abstract: A door operator for controlling operation of a door, the door operator having a motor to open the door against a spring force, the door operator further comprising a door position sensor for transmitting a signal indicative of door position; and among other things, calculates a door moment of inertia based on a net torque and the time for the door to reach a predetermined angle from the closed position. Also provided is a door operator that compares door speed to a desired door speed based on a door speed-position profile and generates a door speed error signal and minimizes the door speed error signal by adjusting the braking load resulting from charging a chargeable battery using the motor as a generator.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2009Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Inventors: Brian Hass, Eric Dube
-
Patent number: 8159165Abstract: A first semiconductor switching element connects to a high side of a motor and includes a diode whose cathode faces the high side. A second semiconductor switching element having a diode resides on a low side of the first semiconductor switching element. A third semiconductor switching element having a diode resides on a low side of the motor. A fourth semiconductor switching element is connected in parallel to the motor and configures a return current circuit that includes a return current element and causes a return current that arises when the first semiconductor switching element turns off to flow through the return current element. A control portion controls on-off states of the first to the fourth semiconductor switching elements and performs return current circuit failure detection based on a first monitor voltage that is an electric potential of a connecting point between the first semiconductor switching element and the motor.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2009Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Advics Co., LtdInventors: Isao Okamoto, Hiroyuki Matsumori
-
Patent number: 8134816Abstract: A high-frequency power supply system includes an anomaly detector 3 which detects an anomaly occurring in a circuit on the side of a load L as from an outputting end A of a high-frequency power source 1. The anomaly detector 3 includes a first detector 21 which detects a voltage value Vf of a high-frequency forward wave, a second detector 22 which detects a voltage value Vr of a high-frequency reflected wave, a reflection coefficient calculator 23 and a differentiator 24 which calculate a reflection coefficient differential value d?/dt from the forward wave voltage value Vf and the reflected wave voltage value Vr, and an anomaly determiner 25 which determines of an occurrence of an anomaly based on the reflection coefficient differential value d?/dt. When the anomaly detector 3 outputs an anomaly detection signal to the high-frequency power source 1, high-frequency power source 1 stops its power output operation.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2010Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Daihen CorporationInventors: Hiroyuki Kotani, Hirotaki Takei, Yoshifumi Ibuki, Hiroaki Oichi
-
Patent number: 8111041Abstract: A power reception device transmits authentication information (e.g., start code, manufacturer ID, product ID, rated power information, and resonance characteristic information) to a power transmission device before starting normal power transmission by a non-contact power transmission system. The power transmission device performs instrument authentication based on the received authentication information, and regulates the maximum transmission power is regulated to conform to a power-reception-device side rated power. The power transmission device then performs normal power transmission.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2008Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignees: Seiko Epson Corporation, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Japan, Inc.Inventors: Kota Onishi, Kentaro Yoda, Haruhiko Sogabe, Takahiro Kamijo, Kuniharu Suzuki, Hiroshi Kato, Katsuya Suzuki, Manabu Yamazaki
-
Patent number: 8054036Abstract: A power transmission device performs power-saving power transmission that transmits a small amount of power as compared with normal power transmission when the power transmission device has detected that a battery of a load has been fully charged so that the operation of a charge control device (charge control IC) of the load is maintained, thereby enabling recharging due to a charge management function of the charge control device. Since the load state of a power reception device increases when recharging has started, the power transmission device detects an increase in the load state and changes power transmission from power-saving power transmission to normal power transmission. When the power reception device has been removed during power-saving power transmission, the power transmission device detects that the power reception device has been removed, and stops continuous power transmission so that unnecessary power consumption does not occur.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2008Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignees: Seiko Epson Corporation, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Japan, Inc.Inventors: Kota Onishi, Kentaro Yoda, Takahiro Kamijo, Haruhiko Sogabe, Kuniharu Suzuki, Hiroshi Kato, Katsuya Suzuki, Manabu Yamazaki
-
Publication number: 20110227640Abstract: In a power supplying system that includes a plurality of power supply devices, each of which has a backflow prevention circuit at an output side thereof, and supplies power to a load device, a backflow prevention circuit is configured by using a hetero-junction FET (HEMT). A normally-on type GaNFET is used for the hetero-junction FET (HEMT), so that the backflow prevention circuit is further simplified.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2011Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicant: SANKEN ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventor: YOICHI KYONO
-
Patent number: 8013475Abstract: An integrated circuit arrangement includes a semiconductor body having a substrate and at least one substrate terminal. At least one semiconductor component is integrated in the semiconductor body and is connected between a first supply terminal and a second supply terminal. The first supply potential is higher than the second supply potential during normal operation of the semiconductor component and the first supply potential is lower than the second supply potential during reverse voltage operation of the semiconductor component. A switch is adapted to couple at least one of the substrate terminals to the first supply terminal during reverse voltage operation and to the second supply terminal during normal operation.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2007Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Bernhard Wotruba, Andrea Logiudice, Andrea Scenini, Salvatore Pastorina
-
Patent number: 7995317Abstract: A module hot swap circuit includes a low voltage-drop rectifier adapted to receive either positive or negative voltages of different absolute values. The rectifier is coupled to a power manager that provides dual startup/shutdown voltage thresholds and inrush current limiting. A detector prevents reverse current flow allowing the module to hold up during input voltage drop-outs.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2010Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Nortel Networks LimitedInventor: Charles E. Norman
-
Patent number: 7889472Abstract: A module hot swap circuit includes a low voltage-drop rectifier adapted to receive either positive or negative voltages of different absolute values. The rectifier is coupled to a power manager that provides dual startup/shutdown voltage thresholds and inrush current limiting. A detector prevents reverse current flow allowing the module to hold up during input voltage drop-outs.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2006Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Nortel Networks LimitedInventor: Charles E. Norman
-
Patent number: 7796368Abstract: A high-frequency power supply system includes an anomaly detector 3 which detects an anomaly occurring in a circuit on the side of a load L as from an outputting end A of a high-frequency power source 1. The anomaly detector 3 includes a first detector 21 which detects a voltage value Vf of a high-frequency forward wave, a second detector 22 which detects a voltage value Vr of a high-frequency reflected wave, a reflection coefficient calculator 23 and a differentiator 24 which calculate a reflection coefficient differential value d?/dt from the forward wave voltage value Vf and the reflected wave voltage value Vr, and an anomaly determiner 25 which determines of an occurrence of an anomaly based on the reflection coefficient differential value d?/dt. When the anomaly detector 3 outputs an anomaly detection signal to the high-frequency power source 1, high-frequency power source 1 stops its power output operation.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2004Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: DAIHEN CorporationInventors: Hiroyuki Kotani, Hirotaki Takei, Yoshifumi Ibuki, Hiroaki Oichi
-
Patent number: 7724487Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for preventing reverse current in a switching power supply. An electrical connector receives an input current from an electric source. An input current limiting module substantially prevents the input current from reaching a switching power supply when the input current is flowing in a reverse direction. A voltage reduction module reduces an input voltage of the switching power supply to a switching voltage when the input current is flowing in a forward direction. A switching module closes a switch in response to the voltage reduction module providing the switching voltage. The switch provides the input current a lower impedance path to the switching power supply than does the input current limiting module.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2008Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Cecil C. Dishman, Randhir S. Malik, Trung M. Nguyen
-
Patent number: 7719809Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing electrical power is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes: a semiconductor switch adapted to receive input power from a DC power source, adapted to distribute power to a DC/DC module, and adapted to receive a control signal, a charge storage device in operative communication with the semiconductor switch and a return path associated with the DC power source, and a reverse current monitoring logic in operative communication with the semiconductor switch. In this embodiment, the reverse current monitoring logic is adapted to detect reverse current flowing in the semiconductor switch and, in response to detecting the reverse current, is adapted to open the semiconductor switch. Several embodiments of a method of distributing electrical power to a DC load are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2006Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Paul A. Wirtzberger, Gary Williams, Rico Brooks
-
Patent number: 7692908Abstract: Circuits and methods for protecting polarity-sensitive components, such as light emitting diodes, electrolytic capacitors or integrated circuits, operating from a DC current source including a DC motor, an inductor or relay having a positive terminal and a negative terminal for receiving current from the current source, a protection diode connected parallel with the positive and negative terminals of the motor in a reverse bias configuration, at least one polarity-sensitive component connected in parallel with the protection diode and the DC motor, and a polarity protection transistor connected either between the nominally positive current source terminal and the positive motor terminal, or between the nominally negative current source terminal and the negative motor terminal.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2008Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: GLJ, LLCInventors: Harry Chen, Eric Junkel
-
Patent number: 7679873Abstract: A method of preventing deep discharge of the battery pack (1?) with series-connected cell groups (2a, 2b) by polarity reversal of an individual weakest cell (3), includes a difference measurement step which is repeated over time for detecting an event indicative of a probable reversal of polarity in which the change over time of the voltage difference between two cell groups (2a, 2b) having identical numbers of cells is checked to determine if the change in the voltage difference has exceeded an amount corresponding to a difference threshold value which reliably distinguishes a fast polarity reversal of an individual weakest cell (3) in exactly one cell group (2a, 2b) from the slow fluctuation of the voltage difference between two cell groups (2a, 2b) during an ordinary discharge characteristic curve without polarity reversal of an individual weakest cell (3); and a battery pack (1?) and a battery-powered hand-held power tool (7) with a monitoring circuit (5?) for implementing the method.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2006Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Hilti AktiengesellschaftInventor: Bernd Ziegler
-
Patent number: 7656624Abstract: An IC power protection circuit functions as a surge protection circuit and reverse connection protection circuit. The IC power protection circuit includes an error amplification circuit, positioned and integrated within an integrated circuit and a transistor positioned as a stand-alone element that is separate from the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit includes a sensor signal processing circuit that processes a signal of a sensor. A transistor protects the integrated circuit against a surge voltage from a battery terminal. A resistor is positioned between an output terminal of an error amplifier and a base terminal of the transistor to provide reverse connection protection. Another resistor is connected between a ground and a connection point between the above resistor and the output terminal to provide overvoltage protection for the integrated circuit. A starting resistor is connected between a collector and base of the transistor.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2007Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Masahiro Matsumoto, Masamichi Yamada, Hiroshi Nakano, Keiji Hanzawa, Ryo Sato
-
Patent number: 7616421Abstract: An interface system may be used to connect an electrical device to an electrical bus. The interface system may include a first end and a second end in electrical communication with the first end. Where the interface system is used to connect an electrical device to an electrical bus, the first end may be connected to the electrical bus and the second end may be connected to the electrical device. The interface system may also include a reverse current blocking circuit configured to block current from flowing from the second end to the first end. Additionally, the interface system may include a discharge circuit electrically connected between the first end and the second end for discharging the blocked current.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2007Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Christopher D. Hickam
-
Patent number: 7599161Abstract: A method of operating a relay device, in an electrical circuit comprising first and second main circuit breakers, and a bus tie circuit breaker connecting the first and second main circuit breakers, the method comprising computing a first positive sequence current phasor for the first main circuit breaker and a second positive sequence current phasor for the second main circuit breaker computing a first positive sequence voltage phasor for the first main circuit breaker and a second positive sequence voltage phasor for the second main circuit breaker; computing a correction of the first positive sequence voltage and second positive sequence voltage to a line-to-neutral phase angle reference if there is any rotation in a potential transformer connection; determining a fault has occurred when a magnitude of a current through at least one of the first main circuit breaker or the second main circuit breaker exceeds a predetermined threshold; determining a phase angle difference by comparing the phase angle of theType: GrantFiled: December 29, 2006Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: William Premerlani, Marcelo Valdes, Thomas Frederick Papallo, Jr., Gregory P. Lavoie, Radoslaw Narel
-
Patent number: 7570469Abstract: A dynamically configurable relay element configured to protect an electrical system, including a dynamically calculated relay operating quantity, a dynamically calculated relay pickup setting, a dynamically calculated time dial, a plurality of dynamically calculated variables that define a characteristic of the dynamically configurable relay element, and a dynamically calculated operating time, the dynamically calculated operating time based on the dynamically calculated relay operating quantity, the dynamically calculated relay pickup setting, the dynamically calculated time dial and the plurality of dynamically calculated variables. The relay element may be an inverse-time overcurrent element, an instantaneous overcurrent element, an adaptive pickup overcurrent element, and inverse-time overvoltage element, a voltage restrained overcurrent element, and an inverse-time undervoltage element.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2006Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Armando Guzman-Casillas, Luther S. Anderson
-
Patent number: 7542256Abstract: A method of operating a relay device, the method comprising the steps of: providing main circuit-breakers and a bus-tie-breaker connecting the main-circuit-breakers; defining a partial-differential-zone comprising a main circuit breaker and the bus-tie breaker; assigning a first value to the direction of the fault current flowing into the partial differential zone;—assigning a second value to the direction of the fault currents flowing out of the partial-differential-zone, wherein the first value is not equal to the second value;—comparing the values assigned to the fault currents; determining if the fault currents are flowing into the partial differential zone; and determining if at least two of the fault-currents is flowing in a different direction with respect to the partial-differential-zone wherein one of the fault currents is flowing into the partial-differential-zone and one of the fault currents is flowing out of the partial differential zone.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2006Date of Patent: June 2, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: William Premerlani, Marcelo Valdes, Thomas Frederick Papallo, Jr., Radoslaw Narel, Gregory P. Lavoie
-
Patent number: 7535687Abstract: An alarm system sensor topology to reduce susceptibility to configuration errors and component failures includes a sensor configured to differentiate between system status conditions, including electrical power isolation for power polarity independence and for sustained sensor operation during power interruptions. A topological method for reducing fire sensor susceptibility to configuration errors and component failures includes configuring a sensor with capability to operate using electrical input power independent of power polarity, and providing capability to operate at least a part of the sensor circuitry for at least a specified time interval in the absence of applied electrical power.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2006Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: GE Security, Inc.Inventor: Hilario S. Costa
-
Patent number: 7504750Abstract: A device for protecting a circuit against a polarity reversal of a connection to a D.C. power supply, comprising a controllable switch interposed on said connection between a first terminal of a first voltage of the D.C. power supply and a first terminal of the circuit, and first means for turning-off with a delay the switch in the presence of a reverse polarity.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2004Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.Inventors: Philippe Bienvenu, Sandra Mattei
-
Patent number: 7463468Abstract: A circuit for protection against reverse circulation of current through the body diode of an FET power switching device switching a load, the power switching device having gate, source and drain terminals, wherein the power switching device is connected in series with the load, the load being connected to the source or drain terminal of the power switching device, the load being capable of providing a voltage across the source and drain terminals sufficient to cause the body diode to conduct, the power switching device being controlled by a driver output stage having a driver output stage body diode, the driver output stage having a substrate set at a substrate voltage level, the reverse circulation protection circuit comprising a circuit for changing the substrate voltage level of the driver output stage so that the voltage across the driver output stage body diode is less than a voltage sufficient to cause the driver output stage body diode to conduct, thereby allowing the power switching device to pass theType: GrantFiled: May 12, 2004Date of Patent: December 9, 2008Assignee: International Rectifier CorporationInventor: Vincent Thiery
-
Publication number: 20080285191Abstract: This patent specification describes a backflow prevention circuit which includes a first switch configured to conduct or to shut down a current path from an input terminal to an output terminal, a logic circuit configured to binarize an input voltage at the input terminal based on an output voltage at the output terminal and to output a binary signal and a shutdown circuit configured to cause the first switch to shut down independently of a switching control signal in accordance with the binary signal output from the logic circuit. The switching control signal performs a switching control of the first switch. The logic circuit outputs a shutdown signal to shut down independently of the switching control signal when the input voltage becomes smaller than the output voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2008Publication date: November 20, 2008Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventor: Yuuichi UEDA
-
Publication number: 20080225454Abstract: An integrated circuit arrangement includes a semiconductor body having a substrate and at least one substrate terminal. At least one semiconductor component is integrated in the semiconductor body and is connected between a first supply terminal and a second supply terminal. The first supply potential is higher than the second supply potential during normal operation of the semiconductor component and the first supply potential is lower than the second supply potential during reverse voltage operation of the semiconductor component. A switch is adapted to couple at least one of the substrate terminals to the first supply terminal during reverse voltage operation and to the second supply terminal during normal operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2007Publication date: September 18, 2008Inventors: Bernhard Wotruba, Andrea Logiudice
-
Patent number: 7394633Abstract: A reverse current protection circuit is provided to protect the internal circuit components of a switching power supply from being damaged by a reverse current discharging from an input filtering capacitor. The reverse current protection circuit according to a preferred embodiment includes a transistor switch coupled between an input terminal and the input filtering capacitor. The reverse current protection circuit also includes a surveillance device for monitoring the change of a voltage polarity across the current-conducting terminals of the transistor switch and generating a driving signal if the voltage polarity across the current-conducting terminals of the transistor switch is changed. The reverse current protection circuit also includes a signal coupler for coupling the driving signal to the control terminal of the transistor switch in order to turn off the transistor switch so as to block the discharging loop of the reverse current.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2005Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignees: Delta Electronics, Inc., Delta Electronics (Thailand) Public Company, LimitedInventors: Alongkorn Sasitornwannakul, Phichej Cheevanantachai, Weng Leong Hon
-
Patent number: 7391612Abstract: A fan sink that includes a dual impeller push-pull axial fan and a heat sink to cool a hot electronic device is presented. The axial fan has a hub motor, a first impeller that is radially proximate to the hub motor, and a second impeller that is radially distal to the hub motor, wherein the first impeller pushes air in a first direction and the second impeller pulls air in a second direction. The heat sink is oriented between the axial fan and the hot electronic device such that the hot electronic device, the heat sink, and the axial fan are axially oriented, wherein cool air is forced onto the heat sink by one impeller in the axial fan, and wherein heated air from the heat sink is removed by an other impeller in the axial fan.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2007Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Jimmy Grant Foster, Sr., Michael Sean June, Albert Vincent Makley, Jason Aaron Matteson