Current Patents (Class 361/87)
  • Publication number: 20130093326
    Abstract: A device and method for detecting a short circuit in an electrical component during a start-up routine. In an embodiment, a device may have a problematic display having a short circuit that may result in damage to other components of the device if the device were allowed to fully startup during a normal start-up routine. Thus, power supplied to the panel may be initiated in stages so as to monitor any current that may be flowing through the panel, which in turn, may be indicative of a short circuit in the panel. If enough “leakage” current is detected through the panel during this staged startup routine, then a short-circuit detection circuit may interrupt the startup routine and lock out the operation of the device until the detected short circuit in the panel can be addressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS (SHENZHEN) R&D CO. LTD,
    Inventor: STMICROELECTRONICS (SHENZHEN) R&D CO.
  • Publication number: 20130094114
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a switching device which suppresses surge voltages at the time of current shutoff of a switching device to protect from overcurrents although the switching device is not in an overcurrent state, including a current sensor, a comparator, a timer latch, a control circuit, and a transistor. The current sensor detects the current of a switching device and outputs a detected voltage. The comparator outputs a signal when the detected voltage is equal to or greater than a reference voltage. When the time duration of the output signal is equal to or greater than a setting time, the timer latch outputs a surge suppression detection signal, based on which the control circuit outputs to the transistor a driving signal to turn off the switching device. The reference voltage is smaller than a reference voltage used when detecting an overcurrent flowing in the switching device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Naoki SHIMIZU
  • Patent number: 8416547
    Abstract: Described herein is technology for, among other things, short-circuit protection. The technology involves sensing a current that is based on an output current and generating a current sense signal in response. The technology further involves buffering the current sense signal. The technology further involves limiting the output current when it exceeds a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Kwok-Fu Chiu
  • Publication number: 20130077194
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for detecting a phase current sensor fault in a multi-phase electrical motor. The method comprises, receiving an input torque command T* and measuring a set of feedback signals of the motor including a phase current Ix for each of the phases of the motor, generating direct and quadrature command phase currents Id*, Iq* for the motor corresponding to a value of the input torque command T*, determining a total command current Is=[(Iq*)2+(Id*)2]½, generating a negative sequence current Ineg, where for three phases Ineg=(?)[Ia+(?2)Ib+(?)Ic], where ?=ej2?/3, combining Ineg and Is to provide a normalized negative sequence current Inn=Ineg/Is, comparing the normalized negative sequence current Inn to a predetermined threshold value INN* to determine the presence of a phase current sensor fault, and executing a control action when Inn>INN*.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: S.M. N. HASAN, STEVEN E. SCHULZ, DAVID P. TASKY
  • Patent number: 8405944
    Abstract: A distributed busbar protection system using time-stamped data gathered from measurement devices in an electrical power system bus arrangement by respective intelligent electronic devices (IEDs). The IEDs may derive the timestamp information from a clock or other time source, which may be synchronized to a common time source and/or an absolute time. The time-stamped measurement data may be used by a protection device to monitor and/or protect the electrical power system. The protection device may include a real-time vector processor, which may time-align the time-stamped data, determine one or more bus differential protection zones, and implement a differential protection function within each of the protection zones. One or more protective control signals may be transmitted to the IEDs to trip the corresponding breakers and clear the bus fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Inc
    Inventors: Marcos A. Donolo, Armando Guzman-Casillas, Edmund O. Schweitzer, III
  • Patent number: 8405945
    Abstract: An apparatus and system are disclosed for protecting a power distribution unit from an electrical fault. A fuse interrupts a flow of electrical current in response to the electrical current rising above a current rating of the fuse. A current sensor measures the amplitude of the electrical current and outputs a current amplitude signal. A relay interrupts the flow of electrical current in response to an OFF signal. A fault module receives the current amplitude signal and sends the OFF signal to the relay in response to the amplitude of the electrical current exceeding a threshold value. The relay, the fuse, and the threshold value are selected so that a switching time of the relay is less than an opening time of the fuse for an amplitude of the electrical current between the threshold value and a maximum fault current value, so that the relay prevents the fuse from opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert DiMarco, Cecil C. Dishman, Eino A. Lindfors, Randhir S. Malik
  • Publication number: 20130070379
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a power regulator with over current protection (OCP), a control circuit thereof, and a method of over current protection. The power regulator with OCP includes: a primary circuit, a transformer, and a secondary circuit. The power regulator receives AC power, and generates secondary current which is supplied to a load circuit. The primary circuit includes a control circuit which includes: a switch control circuit, a first comparator circuit, a sample and hold circuit, and a compensation circuit which is coupled to the sample and hold circuit. The compensation circuit adaptively adjusts a threshold level of the OCP according to a current sense signal, or controls a delay time of an over current detection signal to compensate an error of the OCP threshold level, which is caused by the AC power, such that the primary current may have a peak corresponding to a predetermined setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Jiun-Hung Pan, Chien-Fu Tang, Isaac Y. Chen
  • Publication number: 20130063850
    Abstract: An overcurrent protection circuit includes a load drive section driving a load, a wire coupled with the load and the load drive section, a current detection section detecting a load current value of an electric current that flows to the load, an addition and subtraction section determining an addition and subtraction value based on the load current value and transmitting an integration result of addition and subtraction, a comparison circuit comparing the integration result with a threshold value, and a control circuit controlling the load drive section based on the comparison result. The addition and subtraction section includes an addition value determination circuit that determines an addition value in the addition and subtraction value based on the load current value and a function expression or information indicating a relationship between the load current value and the addition value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicants: ANDEN CO., LTD., DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ippei Kawamoto, Takeyoshi Hisada, Fukuo Ishikawa, Akira Sugiura
  • Publication number: 20130057995
    Abstract: An electronic circuit includes a temperature evaluation circuit. The temperature evaluation circuit includes a first sensor circuit with a first output terminal that is configured to sense a first temperature at a first position of the electronic circuit and to generate at the first output terminal a first output current that is dependent on the first temperature. A second sensor circuit includes a second output terminal and is configured to sense a second temperature at a second position of the electronic circuit and to generate at the second output terminal a second output current that is dependent on the second temperature. An evaluation circuit has an input terminal connected to the first output terminal and the second output terminal and is configured to provide an evaluation signal that is dependent on a current received at the input terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventor: Martin Feldtkeller
  • Patent number: 8390964
    Abstract: An isolated type power supply includes a transformer, and a power switch and a current sense resistor serially connected to a primary coil of the transformer, and a protection apparatus and method monitor a control signal which is used to switch the power switch in normal operation, and trigger a signal to stop the power from switching when the control signal becomes greater than a threshold. This protection apparatus and method can more quickly detect short circuit of the current sense resistor, and prevent the isolated type power supply from overcurrent impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Richpower Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Kuang-Fu Chang, Yu-Ming Chen, Pei-Lun Huang
  • Patent number: 8373958
    Abstract: An receptacle device with power-meter is provided. The receptacle device includes a power supply conversion unit configured to convert input power supply so as to measure a current value or a voltage value of the input power supply; an analog-to-digital conversion unit configured to convert an analog output from the power supply conversion unit into a digital signal, a control unit configured to output a control signal to control operation of the receptacle device by comparing the digital signal input from the analog-to-digital conversion unit to a predefined reference value; a switch unit configured to be turned on or off in response to the control signal from the control unit; and a display unit configured to display values of current, voltage, power, zero phase, and power factor of the input power supply, and display a menu that is controllable by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventor: Un Nam Yeo
  • Publication number: 20130033789
    Abstract: The adaptive power management system for aircraft galleys includes one or more programmable circuit breakers for corresponding interchangeable aircraft galley inserts. Current rating settings of the programmable circuit breakers can be changed by direct interrogation by a galley network controller, which can also automatically switch selected circuit breakers to open to shut down the power supply to an entire galley complex or individual galley inserts, as needed, or by a passive signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: B/E INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
    Inventors: William D. Aronson, Joseph C. Dettmer, Sebastien A. Ramus
  • Publication number: 20130033790
    Abstract: A disclosed heat generation amount estimation unit is used for a battery for an electric power tool, and estimates a heat generation amount of the battery that is a power source of the electric power tool. The heat generation amount estimation unit includes a computation device, and is provided in an apparatus for electric power tool. The computation device periodically reads, either during a discharge from the battery or during a charge to the battery, a detected current from a current detection device, which detects a current corresponding to this point in time from among a discharge current and a charge current flowing through the battery, and adds/subtracts a heat generation amount equivalent value in accordance with a value of the read detected current. The computation device outputs the added/subtracted heat generation amount equivalent value as an estimated value representing the heat generation amount of the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tadahiko Kobayakawa, Hisakazu Okabayashi, Masaaki Fukumoto
  • Publication number: 20130027817
    Abstract: An over current protection system includes a current sensing member configured and disposed to output an electrical rate of change signal that is indicative of a rate of change of an electrical current being in excess of a predetermined value, at least one micro electro-mechanical switch (MEMS) device operatively connected to the current sensing member, and a controller electrically coupled to each of the current sensing member and the at least one MEMS device. The controller is configured and disposed to open the at least one MEMS device in response the electrical rate of change signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Remesh Kumar Keeramthode, Pradeep Kumar Anand, John Kenneth Hooker, Brent Charles Kumfer
  • Publication number: 20130003240
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for composing a desirable trip curve, such as an I2*t trip curve, for an electrical protective device from at least one less desirable trip curve, such as an I*t trip curve. The method is accomplished by defining a selected parameter of the desirable overload trip curve and defining the selected parameter as a function of one or more monitored input values, such as current, trip class or phase unbalance, and modulating the selected defined parameter value between a maximum boundary trip curve and a minimum boundary trip curve. The modulated parameter is used to adjust the less desirable trip curve such that it has the characteristics of the desired trip curve. The method is implemented by one or more electrical circuits (filter circuits) representing the less desirable trip curve(s) and composing an output signal representing the desirable trip curve by modulating between the one or more electrical circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Kevin Jefferies, Timothy B. Phillips, Benjamin W. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20120327543
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for supplying current to a reactor, wherein electrode(s) of an electrical energy network (EEN), which is DC-isolated from ground potential, is/are fed through a reactor wall and connected to an electrically conductive element (ECE) so that an operating voltage is applied to the ECE and electrical current flows through it. A seal of electrically insulating material is provided between the wall and the electrode. The EEN is monitored for insulation faults. A fall below a particular insulation resistance triggers shutdown of the electrical energy supply. The switching threshold is determined by taking into account at least one of the following parameters: seal geometry, seal material, supply voltage and maximum possible electrical energy input into the seal immediately before shutdown, triggered by the maximum theoretically possible leakage current through the seal. A device and an electrode having respective seals are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: WACKER CHEMIE AG
    Inventors: Norbert ELLINGER, Robert RING, Josef Wiesbauer
  • Publication number: 20120320479
    Abstract: Problem Disclosed is a portable drilling machine wherein when a shorting failure occurs in a circuit part connected to a driving motor, this state is reliably detected and a false start of the motor is reliably prevented. Solution A diving motor control circuit (78) in this portable drilling machine comprises a main control section (86); a triac (58) and a relay (60) which are connected to power supply terminals (38L, 38M) in series with the driving motor (42); peripheral circuits (44) (a triac control circuit (66), a relay control circuit (68), a triac inspection and determination section (70), a bypass resistor (72), etc.) which are related to this triac (58) and this relay (60); and a current measurement section (64) for measuring current flowing in the driving motor (42).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventor: Kenji Ohtsuka
  • Publication number: 20120320478
    Abstract: An overcurrent protection circuit for a high side solenoid switch includes a primary bias circuit and a secondary bias circuit. The secondary bias circuit is operable to alter a source to gate bias voltage of the high side solenoid switch during an overcurrent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventor: James A. Gosse
  • Publication number: 20120293900
    Abstract: An overvoltage protecting unit and an overcurrent protecting unit protect a power device from an overvoltage and an overcurrent using a comparator having hysteresis. An overtemperature protecting unit protects the power device from an overtemperature using a thermistor having a resistance that changes as a temperature of the thermistor changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong Zo Kim, Sang Wook Kwon, Yun Kwon Park, Eun Seok Park, Young Tack Hong, Ki Young Kim, Young Ho Ryu, Nam Yun Kim, Jin Sung Choi, Chang Wook Yoon
  • Patent number: 8295021
    Abstract: To provide an overcurrent protection apparatus for a load circuit which can detect an overcurrent accurately without being influenced by the offset voltage Voff of an amplifier (AMP1). When the amplifier (AMP1) has the offset voltage Voff which is a positive value (Voff>0), a current obtained by subtracting a current Ia from a current I1 flowing through a resistor R1 by conducting a current source IA is flown into a resistor R3. In contrast, when the amplifier (AMP1) has the offset voltage Voff which is a negative value (Voff<0), a voltage drop is generated at a resistor R2 by conducting a current source IB to thereby control so that a voltage Vds becomes same as the voltage generated at the resistor R1. Thus, since a voltage V3 generated at the resistor R3 becomes a voltage from which the influence of the offset voltage Voff is eliminated, it is possible to determine an overcurrent accurately by eliminating the influence of the offset voltage Voff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Shunzou Ohshima
  • Patent number: 8295020
    Abstract: Provided is an electronic circuit including an upper control unit and a lower control unit. The upper control unit performs a logic transition of a gate signal so as to off-latch an upper switch by using the fall edge of a drive signal as a trigger and release the off-latch of the upper switch by using the rise edge of a monitor signal as a trigger. The lower control unit performs a logic transition of the gate signal so as to off-latch a lower switch by using the rise edge of the drive signal as a trigger and release the off-latch of the lower switch by using the rise edge of a monitor signal as a trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirokazu Oki
  • Patent number: 8289668
    Abstract: Current differential protection with charging current compensation is provided for a power apparatus, such as a power transmission line. Individual terminals dynamically determine their respective contributions, if any, to the charging current compensation value as availability of one or more voltage sources dynamically changes within the power apparatus. Respective terminals calculate local contributions to a charging current compensation value based on local voltage measurements. A loss of a voltage source is handled by adjusting multipliers for the remaining compensation points to reflect the total charging current. A local contribution is suppressed when the local voltage source is no longer available. After applying the local contributions, an alpha plane analysis may be used to determine when to trip the power apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Bogdan Z. Kasztenny, Normann Fischer
  • Patent number: 8279568
    Abstract: This application discusses, among other things, switch circuit apparatus having power down protection and not requiring power up sequencing. An apparatus embodiment can include a first supply node coupled to a first input of a level shifting circuit via a protection circuit, a second supply node coupled to a second input of the level shifting circuit via a single pull-up transistor, and a switch including a control input, a first node, and a second node controllably isolated from the first node, wherein the control input is coupled to the level shifting circuit. The first and second inputs of the level shifting circuit can be coupled via a rectifier, and the protection circuit can be configured to power the first and second supply nodes to controllably isolate the first and second nodes from each other when a voltage of one of the first or second nodes exceeds a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Julie Lynn Stultz, Nickole Gagne, Steven Macaluso
  • Patent number: 8274772
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting and controlling current. A current detector for generating a first value that represents an amount of current being delivered to a device. A current limit circuit for generating a second value that represents a maximum permitted current level from a current source. A current controller for controlling the amount of current drawn by the device if the first value exceeds the second value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Conexant Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James Bunde Villadsen Skov, Lorenzo Crespi, Ketan B. Patel
  • Publication number: 20120236455
    Abstract: A power distribution system for a building includes an electric current sensor for detecting a value of a current flowing from a commercial AC power source through a main line in a building and a storage battery installed in the building. When the current value detected by the electric current sensor reaches a predetermined value, a supply of an electric power to the building from the storage battery is initiated. The power distribution system further includes an overcurrent protection unit. The building includes sections individually equipped with electric power supply systems, and the overcurrent protection unit protects the main line of the building from an overcurrent by initiating the supply of the electric power from the storage battery to the building when the current value detected by the electric current sensor becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined current value for the initiation of main line protection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Shikata, Hiroaki Koshin
  • Publication number: 20120236454
    Abstract: An overcurrent protection circuit includes an input terminal, an output terminal, a first resistor, a second resistor, a current source and a comparator. The first resistor, the second resistor and the current source are connected in series in that order between the input terminal and ground. A first input pin of the comparator is connected to a first node between the second resistor and the current source. A second input pin of the comparator is connected to the input terminal An output pin of the comparator is connected to the output terminal. When current input through the input terminal is greater than a predetermined value, the overcurrent protection circuit outputs a signal indicative of the current being greater than the predetermined value through the output terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: HO-FENG LIN, CHIH-JEN TSAI
  • Publication number: 20120223644
    Abstract: An LED driving circuit, adapted to drive an LED module, is disclosed. The LED driving circuit comprises a converting circuit, a converting controller, and a short-circuit protection circuit. The converting circuit, having a capacitor coupled to the LED module, is coupled to an input power source to proceed converting operation to supply an output current for driving the LED module. The converting controller controls the converting circuit to provide a stable current flowing through the LED module. The short-circuit protection circuit is coupled to the LED module in series and cuts the current flowing through the LED module off when detecting that the current higher than a current protection value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: GREEN SOLUTION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chen-Hsung Wang, Chia-Ming Chan
  • Publication number: 20120212871
    Abstract: An overcurrent detecting circuit includes: a voltage detecting unit that detects a terminal voltage of a battery; a variation detecting unit that detects a variation in the terminal voltage within a base time set in advance, based on a terminal voltage detected by the voltage detecting unit; and an overcurrent judging unit that judges that an overcurrent has flowed inside the battery in a case where a variation detected by the variation detecting unit exceeds a reference threshold value set in advance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventor: Keitaro Taniguchi
  • Publication number: 20120182657
    Abstract: A method and algorithm are disclosed that can be used to determine if an electrical fault exists within a protection zone defined as in the area between specific current transformers. (CTs). Currents from CTs are brought into a microprocessor (or other device) that converts the analog currents into digital quantities. The current quantities are summed both vectorially and arithmetically by the microprocessor. The mathematical derivative of the vector and the arithmetic sums are compared in order to determine if an electrical fault exists within the protection zone. An electrical trip signal is generated by the microprocessor if the fault is deemed to be in the protection zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: Krishnaswamy Gururaj Narendra, David James Fedirchuk, Nan Zhang
  • Publication number: 20120162841
    Abstract: The present invention provides a protection circuit. The protection circuit includes an output stage circuit and a feedback unit that generates a first current. Under a first condition that the first current is one of currents larger than and equal to a rated current and the first condition remains for a first period, the feedback unit controls the output stage circuit to restrict the first current. Under a second condition that the first current is one of currents larger than and equal to a restriction current and the second condition remains for a second period, the feedback unit controls the output stage circuit to terminate the first current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: HANERGY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Xiao-Ming Duan, Ronald Chang
  • Publication number: 20120140370
    Abstract: A controller is applied with a protection circuit and a protection method. A controller detects an input signal generated by a current flowing through a detection resistor, thereby turning on or off a switch, for controlling the current. A shielding time generator provides a shielding time. When the switch is turned on and when a current timing without the shielding time, a short-circuit detector compares the input signal with a first reference voltage, thereby asserting a short-circuit detection signal. When the switch is turned off or when the current timing is during the shielding time, the short-circuit detection signal is not asserted. Each time the short-circuit detection signal is asserted, a logic controller turns off the switch, thereby reducing the current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Ren-Yi Chen, Kuo-Chien Huang
  • Publication number: 20120134062
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for reliably securing an electric line with a controllable switching element, wherein the device and the method can be easily adapted to the properties of an electric line. The device comprises a controllable switching element (110, 610) than is designed to take on at least two states, specifically a first state with a first resistance and a second state with a second resistance that is lower than the first resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: Lisa Draxlmaier GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Wortberg
  • Patent number: 8183870
    Abstract: A battery system utilizes a plurality of transformers interconnected with the battery cells. The transformers each have at least one transformer core operable for magnetization in at least a first magnetic state with a magnetic flux in a first direction and a second magnetic state with a magnetic flux in a second direction. The transformer cores retain the first magnetic state and the second magnetic state without current flow through said plurality of transformers. Circuitry is utilized for switching a selected transformer core between the first and second magnetic states to sense voltage and/or balance particular cells or particular banks of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Francis J. Davies
  • Publication number: 20120113556
    Abstract: An apparatus is described for burn-in and/or functional testing of microelectronic circuits of unsingulated wafers. A large number of power, ground, and signal connections can be made to a large number of contacts on a wafer. The apparatus has a cartridge that allows for fanning-in of electric paths. A distribution board has a plurality of interfaces that are strategically positioned to provide a dense configuration. The interfaces are connected through flexible attachments to an array of first connector modules. Each one of the first connector modules can be independently connected to a respective one of a plurality of second connector modules, thereby reducing stresses on a frame of the apparatus. Further features include for example a piston that allows for tight control of forces exerted by terminals onto contacts of a wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: Aehr Test Systems
    Inventors: Donald P. Richmond, II, Kenneth W. Deboe, Frank O. Uher, Jovan Jovanovic, Scott E. Lindsey, Thomas T. Maenner, Patrick M. Shepherd, Jeffrey L. Tyson, Mark C. Carbone, Paul W. Burke, Doan D. Cao, James F. Tomic, Long V. Vu
  • Publication number: 20120106013
    Abstract: A battery over-current protection controller includes a current sense circuit, a first pin coupled to one end of the current detection circuit, a second pin, and a third pin. The second pin and the third pin are respectively coupled to a positive end and a negative end of a battery module. The current sense circuit includes a reference voltage generation unit, a voltage dividing unit, and a comparison unit. The reference voltage generation unit is coupled between the second pin and the third pin to generate a reference voltage. The voltage dividing unit has one end coupled to the reference voltage to thereby generate a voltage dividing signal. The comparison unit receives the voltage dividing signal and a current detection signal indicative of a value of a current flowing through the current detection circuit to thereby generate an over-current protection signal when the current is greater than the predetermined current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: GREEN SOLUTION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yang Yang, Li-Min Lee, Shian-Sung Shiu
  • Patent number: 8169169
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Inventors: Brian Hass, Eric Dube
  • Publication number: 20120099234
    Abstract: A driving circuit is placed on an IC chip, and which drives a semiconductor switching element. The driving circuit includes: a power supply circuit for receiving a first voltage supplied from a single power supply provided outside the IC chip, generating a second voltage based on the first voltage, and applying the second voltage to a reference terminal of the semiconductor switching element; and a driving part for driving the semiconductor switching element by applying the first voltage or stopping application of the first voltage to a control terminal of the semiconductor switching element in response to an input signal given from outside the IC chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Inoue, Shoichi Orita, Koji Tamaki
  • Publication number: 20120087052
    Abstract: A method comprising: a) during at least part of a conduction phase of the triac, measuring the gate potential of the triac; and b) comparing a value based on said measurement with a reference threshold and deducing the presence or the absence of an overcurrent based on said comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicants: STMicroelectronics Design & Application sro, STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS
    Inventors: Jan Dreser, Laurent Gonthier
  • Patent number: 8154837
    Abstract: Circuit arrangement (2,3,4,5) in an electronic control device which is connected to at least one wheel speed sensor channel (6,7,8,9) transmitting wheel speed information, in particular in the form of a current signal, the circuit arrangement (2,3,4,5) having at least one monitoring module (U1,U2,U3,U4) for the at least one wheel speed sensor channel (6,7,8,9), where this at least one monitoring module (U1,U2,U3,U4) is suitable for monitoring an excess current fault on at least one wheel speed sensor channel (6,7,8,9), in which, when an excess current fault is detected by the at least one monitoring module (U1,U2,U3,U4) the respective wheel speed sensor channel(s) (6,7,8,9) is/are blocked by a blocking circuit (10,11,12,13) of the circuit arrangement (2,3,4,5), and/or in which the circuit arrangement (2,3,4,5) causes the blocking of the respective wheel sensor channel or channels (6,7,8,9) from outside the circuit arrangement (2,3,4,5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co, OHG
    Inventors: René Trapp, Frank Michel
  • Publication number: 20120069480
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for providing short-circuit protection for a resistive AC load, wherein the load is connected with an AC power supply through an active controlled switch controlled by a controller. The method for providing short-circuit protection for the resistive AC load comprises the following steps of: turning on the active controlled switch within a first conduction angle range; obtaining the mean current value of the load through a current detection circuit; and determining whether the mean current value of the load is greater than a default value or not, wherein, if so, the active controlled switch is controlled to be turned off, and if not, the active controlled switch is controlled to be turned on. The invention also relates to a device and a switch for providing short-circuit protection for the resistive AC load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Xianfang Wang, Yonglian Yang, Baoning Deng, Gang Zhou, Jianwei Liu, Xiaoyong Dong, Linlin Pi
  • Patent number: 8136890
    Abstract: Devices and methods for preventing shock from a high voltage power source. In one embodiment, a device for preventing an electric shock, comprises output terminals for connecting to an external load, a low voltage circuit for carrying a first current (IL) to the output terminals, the low voltage circuit comprising a first coil disposed about a magnetic core, and a high voltage circuit for carrying a second current (IH) to the output terminals, the high voltage circuit comprising a second coil disposed about the magnetic core, and a control relay configured to electrically connect one of the high voltage circuit and the low voltage circuit to the output terminals based at least partly on the first current (IL).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: International Safety & Development, LLC
    Inventor: Paul Cruz
  • Patent number: 8125191
    Abstract: An early warning method for an abnormal state of a lithium battery and a recording medium applicable to a portable electronic device are provided. The method includes the following steps. A plurality of curves of voltage against electric quantity is obtained according to different predicted average current consumptions of the portable electronic device. An operating average current consumption and an operating electric quantity from a first voltage to a second voltage are obtained when the lithium battery at an operating test state in a unit time. One of the curves of voltage against electric quantity is searched, and a warning electric quantity is obtained in a range from the first voltage to the second voltage. The warning electric quantity is compared with the electric quantity, so as to provide an early warning of an abnormal state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Inventec Appliances Corp.
    Inventor: Chien-Chen Chen
  • Publication number: 20120039007
    Abstract: A method and circuit for protecting against an over current condition. A conduction time of one or more transistors is reduced during the over current condition. The conduction time is reduced in an amount that is an increasing function of the amount of the over current. The conduction time may be reduced proportionally to the excess current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Joel Turchi, Stéphanie Conseil, Radim Mlcousek
  • Patent number: 8107205
    Abstract: An output unit outputs a trip current based on current amount data obtained by sampling a current amount at a first end of a power line at a predetermined timing and current amount data received from a device at a second end of the power line. A clock generating unit generates a clock to be used as a reference for the predetermined timing. A receiving unit receives a GPS signal and extracts a time synchronization signal from the GPS signal. A correction-signal generating unit generates a correction signal for synchronizing the clock with the time synchronization signal. A correcting unit corrects the clock with the correction signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Keigo Adachi
  • Patent number: 8102634
    Abstract: A differential protection method in a power network for determining type of fault occurring within the power network. The power network includes a protected object having two or more ends, and a current differential protection device and a current transformer are arranged at each end. The method includes the steps obtaining, at a first end of the protected object, measured values from a second end of the protected object; comparing, at the first end, changes in measured values taken at the first end with changes in the measured values obtained from the second end; and determining, upon the step of comparing changes in measured values showing differing results, type of fault occurring within the power network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Zoran Gajic, Bertil Lundqvist
  • Publication number: 20110317321
    Abstract: A short-circuit protection device for limiting, preferably also deactivating, short-circuit currents in high energy direct current networks, in particular short-circuit currents of battery systems in submarine direct current networks. The device includes an electrical resistor, in particular an ohmic resistor, to conduct and limit the short-circuit current in the case of a short-circuit, a first switch connected in parallel with the resistor for bridging the resistor when the network is free of short-circuit, a monitoring and control arrangement for monitoring the current by the switch and for opening the switch if the current through the switch exceeds a specified threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Reinhard Vogel
  • Patent number: 8072723
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for over-current protection. The method comprising monitoring a load current value of a load current passing through a plurality of micro-electromechanical switching system devices, determining if the monitored load current value varies from a predetermined load current value, and generating a fault signal in the event that the monitored load current value varies from the predetermined load current value. The method also comprises diverting the load current from the plurality of micro-electromechanical switching system devices in response to the fault signal and determining if the variance in the load current value was due to a true fault trip or a false nuisance trip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William James Premerlani, Robert Joseph Caggiano, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, Brent Charles Kumfer, Charles Stephan Pitzen, David James Lesslie, Joshua Isaac Wright, Parag Thakre
  • Publication number: 20110279939
    Abstract: An electrical circuit comprising a power supply, a load, first and second trunks disposed therebetween and control means adapted to control the electrical status of the first and second trunks, in which the control means comprises monitoring means adapted to monitor the current and/or voltage of the first and second trunks and to detect current and/or voltage events which are indicative of faults occurring thereon, and isolation means adapted to isolate the first or second trunk when the monitoring means detects a current and/or voltage event which is indicative of a fault occurring thereon, in which the first and second trunks are electrically connected and arranged in parallel such that the power supplied to the load is distributed substantially equally between them, and in which the control means comprises compensation means adapted to prevent the isolation means from isolating one of said first or second trunks when a current and/or voltage event which is indicative of a fault occurs thereon which is caus
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: PEPPERL + FUCHS GMBH
    Inventors: Renato Kitchener, Gunther Rogoll
  • Patent number: 8059377
    Abstract: A protection device detects a temperature in a predetermined monitoring place in an electronic apparatus 3 to protect the electronic apparatus 3, and includes an oscillating circuit 20 for generating a clock signal Vck having a predetermined cycle and a predetermined ON time, and a temperature detection circuit 16 for detecting the temperature in the monitoring place during the ON time of the clock signal Vck. The protection device shuts off supply of electric power to the electronic apparatus 3, when the temperature in the monitoring place exceeds a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Ikeuchi, Tomoya Shigemi, Takuya Ishii, Noboru Nakashima
  • Publication number: 20110273805
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an HDMI connection interface is provided with a connection detection circuit utilizing power cycling or an otherwise intermittent supply at a pin for an HDMI device for determining if the device is connected to an appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventor: Don J. Nguyen