Reverse Energy Responsive (e.g., Directional) Patents (Class 361/84)
  • Patent number: 11967843
    Abstract: Provided are a battery protection circuit and a lithium battery system. The battery protection circuit includes a switch circuit, a drive control circuit, a reverse connection protection circuit and a power supply circuit. A first input terminal of the reverse connection protection circuit is connected to an output terminal of the power supply circuit. An output terminal of the reverse connection protection circuit is connected to a second input terminal of the drive control circuit. The reverse connection protection circuit is configured to output a reverse connection control signal when the battery is reversely connected to a charger. The drive control circuit is configured to control, according to the reverse connection control signal, the switch circuit to turn off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: SUZHOU XYSEMI ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED
    Inventors: Jinmao Jiang, Jian Tan
  • Patent number: 11906991
    Abstract: An electronic device includes first and second connecting wires to which first and second signal wires are connectable, respectively, and a first resistor. The first signal wire transmits a first signal between the electronic device and an external device. The second signal wire transmits a second signal from the external device to the electronic device. The first resistor is disposed between the first connecting wire and a power source of the electronic device. A resistance value of the first resistor is set such that an output voltage from the second connecting wire is lower than a reference value when a voltage of the power source is input to the second connecting wire via the first connecting wire and the external device in a state in which the first and second signal wires are electrically connected to one another and the second signal is not input to the second signal wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Koichi Kato
  • Patent number: 11870427
    Abstract: A power supply control device controls power supply by switching on or off a first semiconductor switch and a second semiconductor switch that are arranged on a current path. A first diode and a second diode are connected between a drain and a source of the first semiconductor switch and the second semiconductor switch, respectively. Cathodes of the first diode and the second diode are arranged downstream and upstream of the respective anode on the current path. If current flows through the current path even though a microcomputer has given an instruction to switch the first semiconductor switch and the second semiconductor switch off, a first drive circuit switches the first semiconductor switch on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignees: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kota Oda, Masaya Ina, Koki Sakakibara, Masayuki Kato
  • Patent number: 11832654
    Abstract: An electrically heated aerosol generating system for receiving an aerosol-forming substrate includes at least one heating element for heating the substrate to form the aerosol and a power supply for supplying power to the at least one healing element. The power supply includes a voltage source, two or more supercapacitors, and switches between the voltage source and the two or more supercapacitors. The switches are arranged so that, during a charging mode, the supercapacitors are connected so as to be charged by the voltage source and, during a heating mode, the supercapacitors are connected so as to discharge through the at least one heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Felix Fernando, Franck Pourrat, Jean-Pierre Cordey
  • Patent number: 11829164
    Abstract: A door closer may utilize a door closing device (e.g., spring) and a force adjustment device (e.g., a motor) in order to allow for manual door opening and assisted door closing. During operation, as a door is manually opened, the spring is loaded (e.g., compressed or tensioned) above its pre-loaded closed position state. Once manual opening is completed, the spring that is loaded during opening begins returning to the pre-loaded closed position state, and thus, moves the door automatically towards the closed position. Depending on the pre-loaded spring setting, the closing force of the door may not be enough to close the door, or to close the door with the preferred force. As such, during closing a controller may engage a motor not to drive the door directly, but to increase the pre-load of spring to increase the closing force in order to allow the door to close as preferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: ASSA ABLOY Accessories and Door Controls Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Dustin Lawhon
  • Patent number: 11815928
    Abstract: A supply-glitch-tolerant voltage regulator includes a regulated voltage node and an output transistor having a source terminal, a gate terminal, and a drain terminal. The source terminal is coupled to the regulated voltage node. The supply-glitch-tolerant voltage regulator includes a first current generator coupled between a first node and a first power supply node. The supply-glitch-tolerant voltage regulator includes a second current generator coupled between the first node and a second power supply node. The supply-glitch-tolerant voltage regulator includes a feedback circuit coupled to the first current generator and the second current generator and is configured to adjust a voltage on the first node based on a reference voltage and a voltage level on the regulated voltage node. The supply-glitch-tolerant voltage regulator includes a diode coupled between the drain terminal and the first power supply node and a resistor coupled between the gate terminal and the first node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Viktor Zsolczai, Andras V. Horvath, Peter Onody
  • Patent number: 11817855
    Abstract: A selection circuit architecture makes it possible to perform upward and/or downward transitions in sets of sequences of slow and fast phases so as at the same time to solve the problems of inductive switching noise and the problems of currents in the supply rails. This solution has multiple advantages linked to the ease of implementation and flexibility of configurations that are possible for adapting to the specific constraints when designing the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Mohamad Awad, Gaƫl Pillonnet
  • Patent number: 11811315
    Abstract: A direct current (DC)/DC conversion circuit includes an input end, a power circuit, and an output end, a bypass circuit that is a unidirectional conduction circuit, and a switch disposed between the input end and the power circuit, where the input end is configured to be coupled to an external power supply to receive power to the DC/DC conversion circuit. The bypass circuit is coupled between the input end and the power circuit, the bypass circuit is disposed between the switch and the power circuit, and the bypass circuit is coupled to the power circuit in parallel. The switch is configured to be closed when the input end is reversely coupled to the external power supply to enable a current from a positive electrode of the external power supply to flow back to a negative electrode of the external power supply through the bypass circuit and the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: HUAWEI DIGITIAL POWER TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yongbing Gao, Jun Wang, Lei Shi
  • Patent number: 11811173
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to power cords for electrically connecting one or more devices to an electrical source. A power cord may include a first end configured to couple to an electrical source and a second end configured to electrically couple to a device. A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) may be coupled to the power cord between the first end and the second end such that the GFCI is configured to control a flow of electricity through the power cord to the device when the second end of the power cord is electrically coupled to the device. The GFCI may include a set of light emitting diodes (LEDs) with a first LED configured to illuminate when the GFCI is preventing the flow of electricity, and wherein a second LED is configured to illuminate when an output side of the GFCI is outputting electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Avellina Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Youri K. Dimitrov
  • Patent number: 11805481
    Abstract: HVAC components having improved efficiency are described. In one embodiment, excessive sleep current draw in a battery-powered device having a microcontroller is detected by measuring a voltage drop across a MOSFET device coupled in a forward-conducting orientation in series between the battery and the microcontroller, causing a transistor to conduct when the voltage drop exceeds a predetermined threshold to generate a first trigger signal, integrating the first trigger signal to generate a second trigger signal, and generating an interrupt to the microcontroller. In another embodiment, a battery-saving method of operating an HVAC component includes maintaining the HVAC device in the sleep mode, receiving a user input to wake the device, transmitting a data request and returning the HVAC component to the sleep mode, waking up the HVAC device to poll an adjacent network node storing a cached response, displaying the response, and returning the HVAC device to sleep.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Joel C. VanderZee, Christopher C. VanderKoy
  • Patent number: 11772192
    Abstract: A battery carrier for an electric vehicle that has a trough with a frame and/or struts running in the trough. The frame and/or the struts are produced from hollow profiles, such as extruded lightweight metal profiles, which are connected by means of materially bonded joining. At least one lightweight metal profile has been geometrically calibrated at one end portion, which has a chamfer on a top side, wherein the thermal joining seam is arranged in the chamfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Handing, Frode Paulsen
  • Patent number: 11735933
    Abstract: In some examples, a controller circuit comprises: a voltage subtractor circuit having a subtractor output and first and second subtractor inputs, the first subtractor input adapted to be coupled to a first current terminal of a transistor, and the second subtractor input adapted to be coupled to a second current terminal of the transistor; an internal voltage generator circuit having a generator input and a generator output, the generator input adapted to be coupled to the first current terminal; and a gate control circuit having a gate control input and a gate control output, the gate control input coupled to the subtractor output, the gate control output adapted to be coupled to a gate of the transistor, the gate control circuit including a switch coupled between the gate control output and the generator output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Prajit Nandi, Vasishta Kidambi
  • Patent number: 11703534
    Abstract: A method of determining a fault in a protected zone of a power line comprises obtaining measurements at a measurement point at one end of the power line, processing the measurements in a number of parallel processing branches comprising at least two parallel processing branches, wherein the processing in each branch comprises filtering the measurements in a corresponding low pass filter for obtaining a corresponding set of filtered measurements, wherein the cut-off frequencies of the low pass filters in these parallel processing branches differ from each other, performing reach calculations on the filtered measurements for obtaining corresponding reach point quantities, and comparing the reach point quantities with corresponding thresholds. Finally, it is determined that there is a fault within the protected zone if any threshold is crossed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Hitachi Energy Switzerland AG
    Inventors: Youyi Li, Jianping Wang
  • Patent number: 11543462
    Abstract: The present invention discloses A method of single-phase-to-ground fault line selection for a distribution line based on the comparison of phase current traveling waves, comprising: sampling three phases current traveling waves on the distribution line, and taking the busbar pointing to the line as the current positive direction; when a single-phase-to-ground fault occurs on the distribution lines, comparing the amplitude and polarity of the difference between the three phases current traveling waves before and after the fault, wherein when the amplitude of one of the three phases current traveling wave is higher than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Shenxing Shi, Qilong Qian, Xinzhou Dong
  • Patent number: 11522355
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for use in an earth-fault protection in a three-phase electric network, the apparatus is configured to detect a phase-to-earth fault in the network, to determine for each of the phases of the network a phase current during the fault or a change in the phase current due to the fault, to detect a faulted phase of the network, to determine an estimate of an earth-fault current on the basis of the faulted phase and the phase currents or the changes in the phase currents, to determine a zero-sequence voltage of the electric network or a change in the zero-sequence voltage, and to determine a direction of the phase-to-earth fault from the measuring point on the basis of the estimate of the earth-fault current and the zero-sequence voltage or the change in the zero-sequence voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Ari Wahlroos, Janne Altonen
  • Patent number: 11522363
    Abstract: An input node is configured to receive a supply signal which may be of a first polarity or a second polarity opposite the first polarity. A high input current circuit couples the input node to an output node through at least one power transistor having a control electrode. A low input current circuit couples a supply current from the input node to control circuit configured to control the power transistor. A circuit is provided to detect polarity reversal with respect to the supply signal. A protection circuit for the low input current circuit operates to decouple the control circuit from the input node if the supply signal has the second polarity. A protection circuit for the high input current circuit operates to short-circuit the control electrode of the power transistor to the current path provided by the power transistor between the input node and the output node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Manuela La Rosa, Giovanni Sicurella, Giuseppe Meola
  • Patent number: 11451050
    Abstract: A load switch circuit for turning on and off supply of DC power to a load circuit of a chromatograph apparatus, the load switch circuit comprising: a first switching element connected to between a first node that receives DC voltage and the load circuit, the first switching element including a control terminal that receives a potential of a second node; a capacitive element connected to between the first and second nodes; a first resistive element connected to between the first and second nodes; and a bypass circuit configured to pass current between the first and second nodes upon turn-off of the first switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Yugo Ishihara
  • Patent number: 11411397
    Abstract: A polarity reversal protection circuit includes a MOSFET and a turn-off circuit, which turns off the MOSFET in the case of a polarity reversal. The turn-off circuit includes a detector for detecting the case in which the voltage at the source terminal of the MOSFET undershoots the voltage at the drain terminal of said MOSFET. Furthermore, it includes a quick-break switch for turning off the MOSFET in the event of detected voltage undershooting, a comparator for comparing the voltages present at source terminal and drain terminal of the MOSFET after detected voltage undershooting, wherein the output of the comparator is connected to the gate terminal of the MOSFET, a boost converter, a buck converter and a charge pump for voltage supply, and a switch for switching off the comparator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Inventor: Dominic Christ
  • Patent number: 11271558
    Abstract: An integrated circuit that may be employed as a smart switch is described herein. The integrated circuit may include a first power transistor coupled between a supply pin and a first output pin and a second power transistor coupled between the supply pin and a second output pin. The first and the second power transistors each having an intrinsic body diode which allows reverse conduction. The integrated circuit further includes a control circuit that is configured to trigger a switch-on and switch-off of the first and the second power transistors based on a first input signal and a second input signal, respectively. Furthermore, the integrated circuit includes a protection circuit configured to detect, for the first and the second power transistors, a transition from a reverse conducting state into a forward conducting state, and vice versa, and to generate an error signal in response to certain detections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Christian Djelassi-Tscheck, Ulisse Lorenzo Lillo, Michael Luschin
  • Patent number: 11258438
    Abstract: A control device of a power switch includes a voltage boost circuit, a discharge circuit and a bias voltage generating circuit. The voltage boost circuit generates a control voltage at a control end of the power switch by boosting a base voltage. The discharge circuit provides a discharge path between the control end of the power switch and a reference ground end according to a bias voltage. The bias voltage generating circuit compares an output voltage on an output end of the power switch with the control voltage to generate a comparison result, and generates the bias voltage according to the comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Excelliance MOS Corporation
    Inventor: Ming-Hung Chien
  • Patent number: 10979037
    Abstract: In described examples, a power interface subsystem includes power transistors, each having: a conduction path coupled between a battery terminal and an accessory terminal; and a control terminal. A differential amplifier has: a first input coupled to the battery terminal; a second input coupled to the accessory terminal; and an output node. An offset voltage source is coupled to cause an offset of a selected polarity at one of the inputs to the differential amplifier. The offset has a first polarity in a first operating mode and a second polarity in a second operating mode. Gate control circuitry is coupled to apply a control level at the control terminal(s) of selected one(s) of the power transistors responsive to a voltage at the output node, and to apply an off-state control level to the control terminal(s) of unselected one(s) of the power transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Sujan Kundapur Manohar, Roland Karl Son, Juergen Luebbe, Eddie W. Yu
  • Patent number: 10704827
    Abstract: An electrical connector testing system can include a first connector end and a controller coupled to first connector end. The system can also include an electrical load coupled to the first connector end, where the electrical load includes an electrical cable and a second connector end coupled to an end of the electrical cable. The controller can determine whether an adverse electrical condition exists with respect to the electrical load before allowing power to flow between the first connector end and the second connector end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Benjamin Avery Freer, Joseph Michael Manahan, Charles John Luebke, David McClanahan
  • Patent number: 10620650
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having an input terminal and an output terminal. The semiconductor device includes a power semiconductor element having a first main terminal connected to the output terminal, a second main terminal that is grounded and a gate terminal, and an active clamping circuit including a Zener diode and a diode connected in inverse series between the gate terminal and the first main terminal of the power semiconductor element. The semiconductor device further includes a clamp voltage switching circuit configured to switch a clamp voltage of the active clamping circuit according to a change in a voltage of the output terminal relative to the ground at a time when the power semiconductor element is turned off, the clamp voltage being switched to a first clamp voltage and a second clamp voltage, respectively, when the change in the voltage is not, and is, positive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Morio Iwamizu, Shinji Yamashina
  • Patent number: 10408401
    Abstract: An intelligent electronic candle, includes a cylindrical and hollow casing. Inside the casing, a circulation pump, a header tank are provided. The circulating water pump is arranged below the header tank, where a number of overflow ports are available on the top thereof. The outlet tube of the pump is connected above the circulating pump, and an outlet port is set up on the top of the pump outlet tube. The outlet is connecting with the header tank. An LED lamp is set up at the outer side of the pump outlet tube including a power supply with a charging port. The LED lamp is electrically connected with a power supply by wiring. A control circuit board is provided inside the casing at the bottom. The control circuit board is provided with a microprocessor, time module, radio communication module and voice control switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Nantong Yatai Wax Artware Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yingqi Ding
  • Patent number: 9991736
    Abstract: An apparatus for operating an external manual battery charger having a first AC power input and a DC charging output. The apparatus includes an AC controller configured to adjust at least one power parameter supplied to the AC power input of the external manual battery charger. The power parameter(s) may be any one or more of AC current, AC voltage and AC power. The apparatus further includes a feedback converter configured to monitor at least one charging parameter and to control the AC controller to adjust the one or more power parameters in accordance with the monitored charging parameter or parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Associated Equipment Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen David Keuss
  • Patent number: 9991777
    Abstract: A method of generating pulse width modulated (PWM) signals includes receiving a coarse signal correlated to the widths of pulses to be generated in the PWM signal. Trigger signals are generated and a one-shot device is triggered in response to the trigger signals. The one-shot device generates pulses having widths correlated to the coarse signal. A control signal correlated to the widths of the pulse to be generated in the PWM signal is received and the widths of the pulses generated by the one-shot device are adjusted in response to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Brian Thomas Lynch, Stefan Wlodzimierz Wiktor
  • Patent number: 9690288
    Abstract: The present invention provides a motor driving device for easily and accurately detecting an abnormal status of a motor. The motor driving device (21) includes a control circuit (100) for generating a driver control signal (S10); a driving circuit (200) for generating a motor driving signal (S3) according to the driver control signal (S10); an initial position detecting circuit (300) for detecting an initial position of a motor (22); and a rotation detecting circuit (400) for detecting a rotation status of the motor (22). Before the motor (22) starts to rotate normally, the control circuit (100) repeatedly performs a serial activation processing including detecting an initial position; applying an initial torque and detecting a motor rotation, and when the repetition number reaches a threshold value ā€œmā€ (for example, m=5), the motor (22) is forced stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Kunida, Takashi Yoshiya
  • Patent number: 9620958
    Abstract: An electronic cigarette battery reverse connection protection device and method for using the same, comprising: a battery, a switch circuit, an alarm circuit, a discharge control circuit and a load circuit. The battery is connected with the switch circuit, the switch circuit is connected with the discharge control circuit and the alarm circuit respectively, the discharge control circuit is connected with the load circuit. The switch circuit is configured to determine whether the battery is reversely connected according to a power signal provided by the battery; when the battery is reversely connected, the discharge control circuit is turned off, and the alarm circuit is turned on and generates an alarm signal; and when the battery is correctly connected, the discharge control circuit controls the load circuit working.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: HUIZHOU KIMREE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. SHENZHEN BRANCH
    Inventor: Qiuming Liu
  • Patent number: 9573540
    Abstract: On-vehicle electrical loads (121,122) are connected to an on-vehicle battery (101) via a series circuit including a load switching element (221,222) and a reverse current interrupting element (200a) for a load circuit, and a feeding switching element (120A) that is closed in response to closure of a power supply switch (110). The element (FET) (200a) is closed when the switch (110) is closed and a power supply voltage is applied to a load power supply terminal (Vba) connected to the element (120A), to thereby be energized in an energization direction of an internal parasitic diode thereof. The element (200a) is de-energized when the switch (110) is opened. Thus, malfunction is prevented, which occurs when the element (120A) is opened, a short-to-power flows backward via the element (200a) into the terminal (Vba) so as to feed power to another device connected to the element (200a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shozo Kanzaki, Koji Hashimoto, Kazunari Masudome, Yoshitake Nishiuma, Yusuke Matsuda, Tomohiro Kimura, Shinji Higashibata
  • Patent number: 9533702
    Abstract: To detect and store occurrence of a reverse connection when the reverse connection has occurred, and to restricts a power assist at the next startup of a controller. In an ECU for controlling an electric motor that applies a steering assist torque on a steering mechanism, a microcomputer transmits a drive signal to a driver that drives an inverter, which controls current of the electric motor, in accordance with the drive signal. A reverse connection storage circuit is attached in parallel with the inverter, and detects and stores the occurrence of the reverse connection when the reverse connection of the ECU and a battery has occurred, and notifies the microcomputer of the occurrence of the reverse connection at the next startup of the ECU. The microcomputer transmits a signal indicating non-permission to the driver in accordance with the notification. The driver restricts the power assist upon receiving the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomohiro Miura
  • Patent number: 9537378
    Abstract: An audible warning system for a generator system is provided. The generator system includes a surge suppressor and a rectifier assembly. The rectifier assembly rotates along with the rotor of the generator system, and generates airflow. The surge suppressor includes a face portion. The audible warning system includes a mounting plate and an acoustic alarm device. The mounting plate is attached to the rectifier assembly to mount the surge suppressor and the acoustic alarm device. The acoustic alarm device includes an air inlet portion in engagement with a face portion of the surge suppressor. In operation, this arrangement blocks fluid communication of the airflow into the air inlet portion, in an operational state. A failure of the surge suppressor allows the airflow to pass through the air inlet portion to generate an audible alarm for an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Miroslav Halicek
  • Patent number: 9438032
    Abstract: The semiconductor device includes a power chip including a switching element that switches a supply of power from a power supply to a load between an on-state and an off-state, a control chip in which is incorporated a control circuit that controls the switching element of the power chip, and a reverse connection protection circuit, provided in the control chip, that controls the switching element of the power chip into an on-state when the power supply is reverse-connected, wherein the reverse connection protection circuit has protective resistors, interposed between the control circuit and the positive electrode side of the power supply, and a control voltage formation circuit into which is input an intermediate voltage of the protective resistors and which forms a control voltage that controls the switching element of the power chip into an on-state when the power supply is reverse-connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Morio Iwamizu
  • Patent number: 9341156
    Abstract: A glow plug is provided that can be easily determined as to whether or not it is a new article. An additional circuit formed by connecting a diode, a fuse, and an adjusting resistor in series in this order is connected in parallel to a heating element of a glow plug. The diode is provided so as to have an anode located on the positive electrode side of the heating element and a cathode located on the fuse side. In the case of a unit inspection, by applying a positive voltage for test to a heating element negative electrode connecting portion, it is possible to determine whether or not the glow plug is normal without blowing the fuse before the glow plug is used in a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Bosch Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiro Nakamura, Yutaka Tanaka, Yoshihito Fujishiro, Yasuo Toyoshima
  • Patent number: 9324530
    Abstract: A circuit for protecting an electric load against reverse polarity is provided by using a MOSFET (metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor), wherein: the circuit is connected on the input side to a voltage supply and on the output side to the load; the source connection of the MOSFET is connected to the voltage supply; the drain connection of the MOSFET is connected to the load; the circuit has dynamic behavior similar to a diode and at the same time low power loss; the gate of the MOSFET is connected to the collector of a first bipolar transistor; the source of the MOSFET is connected to the emitter of the first bipolar transistor; the base of the first bipolar transistor is controlled by a control current; and the control current is derived from the voltage at the drain of the MOSFET.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: INIT Innovative Informatikanwendungen in Transport-, Verkehrs- und Leitsystemen GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Gueltig
  • Patent number: 9232605
    Abstract: A load driving circuit comprises a converting circuit, a converting controller, a load driving modulator, and a charge spike protection circuit. The converting circuit is adapted to be coupled to an output power source and supplies a driving power source to drive a load. The converting circuit has an output capacitance coupled to an output end thereof. The converting controller controls an amount of the driving power source responsive to a current or a voltage of the load. The load driving modulator and the load, connected in series, are coupled to the output end and so the load driving modulator adjusts an electronic state of the load. The charge spike protection circuit is coupled to the output capacitance and at least one connecting node of the load and the load driving modulator to provide a unidirectional charge release path to the output capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: GREEN SOLUTION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shian-Sung Shiu, Chia-Ming Chan
  • Patent number: 9153952
    Abstract: A residual-current circuit breaker includes switching contacts and at least one residual current detector configured to determine a residual current signal. The residual-current circuit breaker is configured to bring about an opening of the switching contacts upon the detection of a residual current greater than a pre-definable tripping current. A first circuit arrangement is configured to inhibit tripping of the residual-current circuit breaker when a residual current occurs that has a duration that is shorter than half a period of a grid frequency of an associated electrical grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: EATON INDUSTRIES (AUSTRIA) GMBH
    Inventor: Ronaldus Niehoff
  • Patent number: 9142951
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device comprising a protection circuit configured to protect against a polarity reversal of the input DC power supply voltage, the protection circuit comprising an N-channel main transistor having a source coupled to an input terminal and having a drain coupled to an output terminal, a command circuit configured to render the main transistor blocked in the event of a polarity reversal and conducting otherwise, and a control circuit configured to dynamically adjust the bias of substrate regions of respective components connected to the main transistor by connecting the substrate regions either to the source or to the drain of the main transistor according to the value of the voltages present at the source and the drain of the main transistor and the type of conductivity of the substrate regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SAS
    Inventor: Antoine Pavlin
  • Patent number: 9124097
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to a device for correcting the polarity of electricity in a circuit. In direct current circuits, a positive voltage received from a power source will exit the device at a predetermined output regardless of which input of the device received the positive voltage. In alternating current circuits, one or more currents received from a hot output(s) of a power source will be connected to a predetermined output(s) of the device regardless of which input(s) received the current(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: International Safety and Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul M. Cruz
  • Patent number: 9105765
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a smart junction box including: a first set of switches connected across input terminals adapted for connection to output terminals of a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) modules, a plurality of diodes connected across input terminals of each respective switch in the first set of switches, at least one reverse current detection device on at least one output terminal of the smart junction box, a second set of switches to selectively disconnect and short circuit output terminals of the smart junction box when a reverse current is detected, and wherein at least one switch of the second set of switches is located across the output terminals, a controller for controlling the first and second set of switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Enphase Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Fornage
  • Patent number: 9088158
    Abstract: One embodiment includes a power system. The system includes a power switch device that is activated to provide an output voltage to a load in response to an input voltage. The power switch device includes a control terminal and a bulk connection. The system also includes a reverse voltage control circuit configured to passively couple the input voltage to one of the control terminal and the bulk connection in response to a reverse voltage condition in which an amplitude of the input voltage becomes negative. The system further includes an output shutoff circuit configured to passively couple the output voltage to a neutral-voltage rail during the reverse voltage condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Maggio, Umar Jameer Lyles, John H. Carpenter, Jr., J. Randall Cooper, Vinod Mukundagiri
  • Publication number: 20150109706
    Abstract: The semiconductor device includes a power chip including a switching element that switches a supply of power from a power supply to a load between an on-state and an off-state, a control chip in which is incorporated a control circuit that controls the switching element of the power chip, and a reverse connection protection circuit, provided in the control chip, that controls the switching element of the power chip into an on-state when the power supply is reverse-connected, wherein the reverse connection protection circuit has protective resistors, interposed between the control circuit and the positive electrode side of the power supply, and a control voltage formation circuit into which is input an intermediate voltage of the protective resistors and which forms a control voltage that controls the switching element of the power chip into an on-state when the power supply is reverse-connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Morio IWAMIZU
  • Publication number: 20150077891
    Abstract: A method for detecting predetermined fault conditions associated with the supply of AC electrical power to a consumer, the supply having an active conductor and a neutral conductor with the neutral conductor being connected to earth. The method comprises providing a first current detector associated with the active conductor; providing a second current detector associated with the neutral conductor; providing a voltage detector to detect voltage between the active conductor and the neutral conductor; and checking a current ratio of neutral current to active current whereby the current ratio is indicative of a predetermined fault condition. Also disclosed is a method of checking the condition of supply line active and neutral conductors in a consumer's supplied premises including determining the impedance of the active conductor and the impedance of the neutral conductor to indicate the condition of each of the active and neutral conductors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: JEMENA ASSET MANAGEMENT (6) PTY LTD
    Inventor: Karl Nathan Edwards
  • Patent number: 8953291
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a reversal connection protecting circuit. The reversal connection protecting circuit includes a power supply interface, a secondary battery, a reversal connection driving unit and a power switching unit. The reversal connection protecting circuit further includes an anti-reversal unit. And the reversal connection protecting circuit further includes a processing unit and a warning interface. According to the present invention, the inconvenience brought by substituting a fuse that is melted in a protecting circuit under the condition that the power supply of the protecting circuit is reversely connected in prior art is overcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: BYD Company Limited
    Inventors: Yaozhong Mi, Xiangjun Dai, Qingfei Zheng, Mingxing Li
  • Publication number: 20140362484
    Abstract: A load driving method includes bringing an output transistor disposed between a first power supply line and an output terminal connected to a load into a conduction state by a protection transistor provided between a gate of the output transistor and a second power supply line when a polarity of a power supply coupled between the first power supply line and the second power supply lines is reversed, and forming a conductive path between the second power supply line and a back gate of the protection transistor via a transistor by a back gate control circuit when the polarity of the power supply is normal, the back gate control circuit including the transistor, a gate of the transistor being coupled to the first power supply line directly via a connection node located in a connecting line that couples the first power supply line and the output transistor, the transistor being coupled between the second power supply line and the back gate of the protection transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: Akihiro Nakahara
  • Patent number: 8908343
    Abstract: An electric distribution system includes at least one feeder and a protection and control system. The feeder includes at least one segment including a first end and an opposing second end. The protection and control system includes a protective device and an electric current measuring device coupled to the segment proximate each end. The system further includes at least one processor coupled in communication with the electric current measuring devices. The at least one processor is programmed to determine a difference between a synchronized first electric current measured proximate the first end and a synchronized second electric current measured proximate the opposing second end and determine a switching condition of the protective devices as a function of the difference between the synchronized first and second electric currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yan Pan, Wei Ren, Swakshar Ray, Michael Reichard, Amol Rajaram Kolwalkar, Reigh Allen Walling
  • Patent number: 8848328
    Abstract: A load driving device according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention includes: an output transistor coupled between a first power supply line and an output terminal, the output terminal being configured to be coupled with a load; a protection transistor that is provided between a gate of the output transistor and a second power supply line, and brings the output transistor into a conduction state when a polarity of a power supply coupled between the first power supply line and the second power supply line is reversed; and a back gate control circuit that controls the second power supply line and a back gate of the protection transistor to be brought into a conduction state in a standby mode when the polarity of the power supply is normal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiro Nakahara
  • Publication number: 20140268456
    Abstract: A relay device includes a relay circuit to which driving current is supplied from a battery, a driving circuit configured to drive the relay circuit, and a protecting circuit having a Schottky diode and a voltage suppressing element. The battery, the relay circuit, the driving circuit, and the protecting circuit are connected in series. The Schottky diode and the voltage suppressing element form a parallel body in which the Schottky diode and the voltage suppressing element are connected in parallel with each other with their forward directions set to the same directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Shinobu Mochizuki, Takuma Takeno
  • Publication number: 20140268455
    Abstract: Reverse battery protection circuits for devices powered by batteries coupled in parallel can include both P-channel and N-channel MOSFETs. Each positive battery terminal connector of a battery-powered device can be coupled to a gate of an N-channel MOSFET or to both a gate of an N-channel MOSFET and a gate of a P-channel MOSFET. In some embodiments, each negative battery terminal connector of the device can be connected to a gate of a P-channel MOSFET. In the event of a reverse battery connection, one or more of the protection circuit's P-channel and N-channel MOSFETS can switch to a non-conductive state to isolate the device's load from an incorrectly installed battery and prevent the incorrectly installed battery and/or other parallel-coupled battery from prematurely discharging. Methods of protecting a load from a reverse battery connection are also provided, as are other aspects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Bayer HealthCare LLC
    Inventor: Igor Gofman
  • Patent number: 8830643
    Abstract: A polarity reversal protection device for motor vehicles has a detection device (10), a first connection element (22) electrically connected to a supply tap (94), a second connection device (24) having the electrical potential of the vehicle body. In case of a polarity reversal, the first connection element (22) is electrically connected to the first connection element (24) via the detector device (10). Further, the reverse polarity protection device is characterized in that a insulating layer (26) is provided between the first connection element (22) and the second connection element (24), that each of the connection elements (22, 24) has at least one receptacle (36, 38) and that the detection device (10) is at least positively engaged in at least one receptacle (36, 38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Auto Kabel Managementgesellschaft mbH
    Inventor: Frank Gronwald
  • Patent number: 8817439
    Abstract: According to one disclosed embodiment, a power delivery circuit includes a switch for protection of a load in a reverse battery condition. The load is coupled in cascade with the protection switch, where the protection switch disconnects the load from the battery in the reverse battery condition. The protection switch does not include p-n junction diodes present in conventional protection switches using FETs. The protection switch utilizes, for example, a GaN HEMT, that does not include a p-n junction diode. Thus, the threat of internal conduction in the protection switch during a reverse battery condition is eliminated. The power delivery circuit also protects the load in a load dump condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventors: Stefano Clemente, Cesare Bocchiola