Voltage Or Current Patents (Class 702/64)
  • Patent number: 8581550
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying different types of energy sources used to charge a battery by receiving energy from at least one of the different types of energy sources at input terminals, identifying the type of energy source, and selecting a mode for charging the battery based on the type of energy source identified. A method and apparatus for protecting against certain energy sources used to charge a battery is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Fenix International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Lin, Mitchell Heinrich, Jonas Ketterle, Brian Warshawsky, Paul Jehlen, Jonathan Thomas, John Pelochino, Akbar Dhanaliwala, Brian Krieger
  • Publication number: 20130289910
    Abstract: A system includes, in at least one aspect, a first circuit configured to be coupled to a load, and a second circuit configured to perform operations including receiving a digital voltage signal representing a voltage supplied to a first circuit, identifying a first time stamp associated with a voltage value representing an extrema in the digital voltage signal, receiving a digital current signal representing a current drawn by the load in response to the supplied voltage, identifying a second time stamp associated with the digital current signal, the second time stamp being within a threshold time of the first time stamp, and identifying a current value associated with the second time stamp as the current drawn by the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Hubertus Notohamiprodjo, Radu Pitigoi-Aron
  • Publication number: 20130289909
    Abstract: A method of monitoring the working conditions and states of an electronic device sets a first time-interval to read the parameter values of the electronic device. When the electronic device is working normally, the first time-interval is replaced by a second time-interval, which is longer than the first time-interval, to reduce reading frequency, relieve the load on a baseboard management controller (BMC) of the electronic device, and save power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: CHIEN-LIANG LIN
  • Patent number: 8569986
    Abstract: A demagnetization detection device and a demagnetization detection method thereof are provided. The demagnetization detection device is for use in a power control unit which is electrically connected to a testing permanent magnet motor. The power control unit is electrically connected to a direct current power source. The demagnetization detection device is configured to detect a testing voltage value and a testing current value of the direct current power source, and to compute a testing power value of the direct current power source according to the testing voltage value and the testing current value. The demagnetization detection device determines the difference between the testing power value and a standard power value, and then determines whether the testing permanent magnet motor is in a demagnetization status according to the difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jen Chih Tseng
  • Patent number: 8571821
    Abstract: A method for determining the closing time of an electromagnetic fuel injector including the steps of applying at a starting time of the injection a positive voltage to the coil of the electromagnetic actuator in order to circulate through the coil an electric current which causes the opening of an injection valve; applying at an ending time of the injection a negative voltage to the coil in order to annul the electric current flowing through the coil; detecting the trend over time of the voltage across the coil after the annulment of the electric current flowing through the coil; identifying a perturbation of the voltage across the coil; and recognizing the closing time of the injector that coincides with the time of the perturbation of the voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Magneti Marelli S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gabriele Serra, Marco Parotto, Saverio Armeni, Luigi Santamato, Romito Tricarico
  • Publication number: 20130282317
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for acquiring and controlling information of power energy production, power transmission, and power consumption by storing information of circuit breakers, switches, power generators, power transmission lines, and transformers in the database, and a method of controlling the same. The method includes acquiring data from a remote control system, comparing the acquired data with data that are previously stored in a database, calculating an estimation value of data that are not acquired according to a comparison result, and performing fault current analysis or contingency analysis according to the calculated estimation value to calculate a rated capacity of a circuit breaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Lsis Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Yoon Sung CHO, Young In KIM
  • Patent number: 8566050
    Abstract: A system for sensing current that includes a processor and a current sensor coupled to the processor. The current sensor includes a sensor threshold value. The system also includes a current generator coupled to the current sensor. The current generator is operable to generate a test current signal defined by a time-varying linear function. The current sensor is operable to be coupled to an external current source and to output a sensor output signal based on a detected current to the processor. The processor is operable to determine a magnitude of the sensor threshold value based on the sensor output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Rail Automation Corporation
    Inventor: James R. Hoelscher
  • Publication number: 20130275068
    Abstract: A data processing device includes: a data obtaining section obtaining time series data on a total value of current consumed by a plurality of electric apparatuses; and a parameter estimating section obtaining a model parameter when states of operation of the plurality of electric apparatuses are modeled by a factorial HMM on a basis of the obtained time series data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Kenichi Hidai, Kohtaro Sabe, Takashi Hasuo, Naoki Ide
  • Patent number: 8560132
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an adaptive system and method for cooling a computer system. A plurality of interchangeable fans may be provided for cooling the computer system. Each fan may have different operational limits, but with a minimum fan speed selected so that all of the fans produce substantially the same airflow rate at the respective minimum fan speed. In one embodiment, the operational limits are stored in a computer-readable storage medium on a computer system cooling fan. The stored fan speeds are electronically retrieved from the fan, and a fan speed table is automatically generated from the retrieved maximum and minimum fan speeds. The fan speed table includes cooling state values indexed to specific fan speed values. The fan is operated at a fan speed associated with a dynamically selected cooling state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Jason A. Matteson
  • Patent number: 8558553
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus selecting settings for circuits according to various aspects of the present invention may operate in conjunction with a measurement element connected to the circuit. The circuit may include a voltage source adapted to supply a voltage to the measurement element. The voltage may be substantially independent of the characteristics of the measurement element. The circuit may further include a measurement sensor responsive to a current in the measurement element. The measurement sensor may generate a control signal according to the current in the measurement element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Ostrom, Richard Pierson, Benjamim Tang, Clark Custer, Scott Southwell, Felix Kim
  • Patent number: 8560255
    Abstract: An intelligent electronic device (IED) integrating a power metering unit (PMU) and a merging unit that combines signals from both analog transformers and digital transformers into a set of merged digital samples. Analog current/voltage signals from analog CTs/PTs are received at the IED's analog inputs and converted to digitized samples. Digital current/voltage samples from digital CTs/PTs are received via point-to-point connections at digital inputs of the IED. A tagging unit applies metadata tags to the digitized and digital samples. The metadata tags include the transformer providing the input signal, sampling rate, primary and/or secondary timestamps, scaling values, calibration values, and/or the location of the IED in the electrical system. The PMU performs metering and/or power quality calculations on the samples, and the calculation results are formatted and transmitted via a master-slave protocol to a requesting master.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Basem Elwarry, David T. Tuckey
  • Patent number: 8560258
    Abstract: Methods and devices to measure voltage margins of electromechanical devices are disclosed. The voltage margins are determined based on responses to test voltages which cause the devices to change states. State changes of the devices are detected by monitoring integrated current or charge used to drive the devices with the test voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alok Govil, Kostadin Djordjev, Alan Lewis, Wilhelmus Johannes Robertus Van Lier
  • Patent number: 8560263
    Abstract: A device that estimates a positional relationship between loads individually connected through sensors to electric power-supply ends provided in a power distribution network includes a communication unit configured to change a resistance value located between each of electric power-supply ends and a ground terminal of each of sensors and measure a voltage value produced between each of the electric power-supply ends and the ground terminal; and a determination unit configured to acquire voltage values from the two selected sensors from among the sensors after a resistance value of one of the two sensors that has a higher acquired voltage value is changed, calculate a ratio between voltage values acquired before and after the resistance value is changed, and determine that the two sensors are connected to a branch circuit in a same system in the power distribution network, when each ratio about the two sensors is within a specified range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamamoto, Toshiaki Funakubo, Nobutsugu Fujino, Hirotaka Oshima
  • Patent number: 8552712
    Abstract: One object is to provide a method for measuring current by which minute current can be measured. A value of current flowing through an electrical element is not directly measured but is calculated from change in a potential observed in a predetermined period. The method for measuring current includes the steps of: applying a predetermined potential to a first terminal of an electrical element having the first terminal and a second terminal; measuring an amount of change in a potential of a node connected to the second terminal; and calculating, from the amount of change in the potential, a value of current flowing between the first terminal and the second terminal of the electrical element. Thus, the value of minute current can be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Kato, Yusuke Sekine, Yutaka Shionoiri, Kazuma Furutani
  • Patent number: 8552757
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for detecting a fault in a rotating field machine, in which current components are analysed in a flux-based, particularly rotor-flux-based, coordinate system a flux-forming current component being subjected to a frequency analysis in the flux-based, particularly rotor-flux-based, coordinate system. It is endeavored to provide a simple method for an early detection of faults. For this purpose, a current operating point is detected for at least one predetermined supply frequency (fsp), said operating point being compared to a former operating point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Danfoss Drives A/S
    Inventor: Karl-Peter Simon
  • Patent number: 8555325
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are described for testing a data connection provided over a power supply line. A testing apparatus is coupled to a socket of the power supply line. The AC power supply line communicatively couples the testing apparatus to a communication device or another testing apparatus. The testing apparatus identifies the signal strengths of signals received by the testing apparatus and identifies the signal strengths of signals received by the communication device. The testing apparatus outputs an indicator of the first signal strength and the second signal strength to a user and this information may be utilized to detect noise or other problems in the data connection provided over the AC power supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Anthony Kozlowski, David Belt, Benjamin Cooke
  • Publication number: 20130262004
    Abstract: A circuit for measuring a capacitive charge comprises a latched comparator and a determination module. The latched comparator comprises an input and an output. The input is coupled with a sensor electrode of a capacitive input device. An inverted version of the output is coupled with a feedback loop. The feedback loop is configured to provide feedback to the input to maintain the input at a predetermined voltage. The feedback is provided in clocked charge quanta steps based on a clock signal. The determination module is coupled with the output and configured to determine a change in capacitance on the sensor electrode by equating output signals from the output with an amount of charge provided to the input to reach the predetermined voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventor: Kirk Hargreaves
  • Publication number: 20130262003
    Abstract: A current measurement and comparing assembly for a power distribution system includes a solid state contactor module having a control section and a power section, wherein the power section includes at least one solid state switch. Also included is a current sensor disposed in the control section and in operable communication with the at least one solid state switch, wherein the current sensor distributes current data to a switch control configured to control the at least one solid state switch and distributes current data to a current measurement and comparison circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Norbert J. Simper, Rainer J. Seidel, Josef Maier, Michael Krenz, Carl A. Wagner, Jeffrey T. Wavering, Michael William Foster, Peter Brantl
  • Publication number: 20130262005
    Abstract: Methods, systems, algorithms, signal processing means and devices for determining the dynamic variables of pressure, density, velocity and conductivity of a generated mass slug, known as the Treacle and formed in a shock discontinuity produced by explosive detonation, deflagration or nature, are provided herein. The parameter determination is based on the discovery of the existence of a Treacle formed in the reaction zone of a shock wave. This verbal noun describes the action of changing the kinetic energy (treadling) of a mass slug immersed and traveling through a magnetic field thereby generating a detectable Alfén wave, which is measured and with an algorithm yields the Treacle dynamic variables. The information is further used to devise methods and systems that utilize the information to create shock shields and high power devices or any other electrically powered transmission disposed within an electrical load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventor: Ronald G. Lundgren
  • Patent number: 8548762
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of estimating the internal state of an electrochemical system by a zero-dimensional (0D) electrochemical mathematical model for estimating the characteristics of a battery that are not directly measurable during operation thereof. For applications relating to hybrid and electric vehicles, the most significant internal characteristics are the state of charge (SoC), the state of health (SoH) and the thermal state (T). Reconstruction of the internal characteristics is achieved using a mathematical model of the battery. The method can be used with the operation of the battery itself (real time) with a concentrated-parameter (0D) or off-line mathematical model, for calibration, an optimization or a validation of management and estimation strategies. The method allows simulation of the thermal and electrical behavior of a battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: IFP Energies Nouvelles
    Inventors: Eric Prada, Valérie Sauvant-Moynot
  • Patent number: 8548761
    Abstract: This invention is related to a method and an apparatus for choosing SOCi (State Of Charge based on current) or SOCv (State Of Charge based on voltage) as the SOC (State Of Charge) of a battery depending on a condition in a battery management system by using an equivalent circuit model. In this invention, a method for measuring SOC of a battery in a battery management system is characterized by comprising the steps of: obtaining voltage data and temperature by measuring the current, voltage and temperature of a battery; calculating SOCi by accumulating the current data; calculating open circuit voltage by using an equivalent circuit model which simply presents the current data, the voltage data and the battery through an electric circuit; calculating SOCv by using the temperature data and the open circuit voltage; and choosing at least one of the SOCi and the SOCv as SOC of the battery by using the SOCi and the SOCv based on the judgment on the current state of a vehicle for a certain time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: SK Innovation Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Hwan Lim, Shanshan Jin, Sekyung Han
  • Publication number: 20130253843
    Abstract: Methods and systems for sensing properties of an object or entity utilize non-resistive contact sensors alone or in combination with other sensors. The sensor data is utilized for detecting and visualizing properties of one or more biological or non-biological objects or entities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: RESCON LTD
    Inventors: Thomas Andrew Dawson, Laura Gilbert
  • Patent number: 8543251
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide a solution for controlling electricity to a device. A sensor is associated with a device that is independently coupled to an electricity distribution network. The sensor senses electricity usage for the device. Based on the sensed electricity usage for the device, an electricity usage pattern is identified for the device. This electricity usage pattern is used to identify a classification of the device. Based on this device classification the supply of electricity to the device can be controlled as needed by the provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Laurence J. Plant
  • Patent number: 8543345
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrochemical tool consisting of a potentiostat and user replaceable sensors and/or electrodes accompanied by an electronic memory that contains information that directs the potentiostat operation. The potentiostat is designed to operate with sensors employing a user customizable sensor and/or electrode memory. The customizable memory allows storing of information from a user and/or manufacturer related to a unique sensor identifier, calibration information, and/or an operational sequence to be employed by the potentiostat to properly operate the sensor and/or electrodes. A further aspect is to provide an electrode with pre-programmed electrode attributes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: ADA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kent Douglas Henry
  • Publication number: 20130245975
    Abstract: A drawing device includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor executes a process including measuring voltages of planes of layers in a laminated circuit board and drawing the voltages of the planes that are measured on a graph having a voltage set on one axis and having a layer set on the other axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Takashi KOBAYASHI, Mitsunobu OKANO, Shogo FUJIMORI, Hiroyuki ORIHARA
  • Patent number: 8539265
    Abstract: A power protection system for a power supply includes a power unit, a microcontroller, a connector, a current sensing resistor, a hot-swap controller, and an electronic switch having first to third terminals. The first terminal is connected to the connector through the current sensing resistor. The second terminal is connected to the power unit. The third terminal is connected to a control pin of the hot-swap controller. First and second sensing pins of the hot-swap controller are respectively connected to two ends of the current sensing resistor. A monitoring pin of the hot-swap controller is connected to the second terminal. A clock pin and a data pin of the hot-swap controller are connected to two terminals of the microcontroller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun-Po Chen
  • Patent number: 8538598
    Abstract: In some embodiments a processor is adapted to store a relationship of power as a function of temperature and voltage, wherein the stored relationship data is to be used for managing power in a system including the processor. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Robin A. Steinbrecher, Sandeep Ahuja, Casey R. Winkel
  • Publication number: 20130231797
    Abstract: A solar string includes first and second solar modules coupled to first and second filters by an electric transmission line. The second solar module includes a solar panel including a plurality of photovoltaic cells configured to convert photon energy to electrical energy. A processor is coupled to the solar panel and is in communication with the first solar module. The processor is configured to monitor an output of the solar panel and to transmit a status signal including an environmental condition of the second solar module to the first solar module by way of the electric transmission line. The first and second filters are configured to pass electrical power to a central inverter of a solar array in which the solar string is disposed and to prevent the status signal transmitted from the second solar module to the first solar module from being transmitted to the central inverter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: TSMC Solar Ltd.
    Inventors: Szu-Han LI, Chih-Chieh HSIEH, Tong Hong FU
  • Patent number: 8527225
    Abstract: An estimation apparatus has a controller which estimates an internal reaction of a secondary battery. The controller calculates a voltage drop amount due to an internal resistance of the secondary battery by using an expression (I): ? ? ? V = RT ? ? ? ? ? ? F ? arc ? ? sinh ( - R r ? I RT ? ? ? ? ? ? F ) - R d ? I ( I ) where ?V represents the voltage drop amount, R represents a gas constant, T represents a temperature, ? represents an oxidation reduction transfer coefficient (?=0.5) of an electrode, ? represents a correction coefficient (0<?<1), F represents the Faraday constant, I represents a discharge current, Rr represents a component of a reaction resistance included in the internal resistance, and Rd represents a component of a direct-current resistance included in the internal resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Takahashi, Yuji Nishi, Tetsuya Fuchimoto
  • Publication number: 20130226488
    Abstract: A method and device are provided for detecting when a closing point of a hydraulic valve has been reached. The valve has a closing element operated by an electric actuator. A predetermined voltage for closing the valve is applied to the actuator. A profile of a current flowing through the actuator is detected. Based on a first increase in the profile corresponding to the valve being at least partially open, a subsequent decrease in the profile corresponding to the closing element carrying out a movement to close the valve, and a second increase in the profile following said decrease in the profile, a local minimum of the detected current is determined between the decrease and the second increase in the profile. Depending on the local minimum of the detected current, a closing point is then determined which corresponds to a time point of the local minimum of the detected current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Wirkowski, Hans Riepl, Björn von Willmann, Thomas Kraft
  • Publication number: 20130226487
    Abstract: A method, device and terminal for identifying LCD screens can be automatically compatible with a plurality of LCD screens. The device includes a storage module, a voltage regulation module and an identification module. The storage module stores the driver chip parameters of the LCD screens. The voltage regulation module regulates the output voltages of the LCD screens into a processing range of the identification module according to a fixed voltage when accessing to the LCD screens, so as to acquire a regulated voltage. The identification module stores a corresponding relation between the driver chip parameter and the regulated voltage of the corresponding type of LCD screen, and receives a regulated voltage of the voltage regulation module, and then finds the driver chip parameter corresponding to the regulated voltage according to the regulated voltage and the preset corresponding relation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: ZTE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chunni Yang
  • Publication number: 20130223461
    Abstract: A system and method to determine data sets of front mirror current, back mirror current and phase current that change the wavelength output by a semiconductor laser in a prescribed trajectory versus time, while maintaining the maximum side-mode suppression ratio at each point during the sweep.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Insight Photonic Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Insight Photonic Solutions, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8521458
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for detecting state of charge (SOC) of a battery. A voltage of a battery pack (100) is detected by voltage sensors (120-1) to (120-n). A determining unit (160) samples currents at times when the battery voltage reaches predetermined threshold voltages (Vth1, Vth2) respectively, and calculates an open end voltage (Vocv), based on representative values (I1, I2) of the sampled currents and threshold voltages (Vth1, Vth2). Furthermore, based on a correspondence relationship between the voltage (Vocv) and the state of charge (SOC) which is determined in advance, the state of charge (SOC) that corresponds to the calculated voltage (Vocv) is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiaki Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 8521457
    Abstract: A user configured measurement display system and method for a non-destructive testing device and instrument (NDT/NDI) with high input data rate is disclosed. The system and the method provide the means for NDT/NDI instruments display measurement values that satisfies user designated measurement criterion occurring during any measurement time intervals (MTIs). The present disclosure overcomes the shortcomings of conventional ways of picking and displaying measurement values at fixed MTIs, by which the values truly satisfying the measurement criterion that occurs at random MTIs (other than scheduled MTIs) are often skipped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus NDT
    Inventors: Jayesh Patel, Michael Drummy
  • Publication number: 20130218493
    Abstract: To reduce the cost and/or space occupied by diagnostic circuitry in a module of a programmable logic controller with multiple outputs, a multiplexer connects the same diagnostic circuitry to the different outputs. The outputs are sequentially tested with the same circuitry. To limit stress on an output driver, an overload condition may be tested while the driver is off. A different source of power is applied to the output, and the results of the application are measured for shorting to ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: Siemens Industry Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Alan Weddle, James F. Archer
  • Patent number: 8515697
    Abstract: A railroad monitoring apparatus includes first and second diverse vital processing units, first and second current sensors configured to measure the current being provided to one or more signaling elements of an item of wayside signaling equipment, and means for measuring voltage levels being supplied to each of the signaling elements. The first processing unit receives a first current measurement from the first current sensor and the measured voltage levels, and the second vital processing unit receives a second current measurement from the second current sensor and the measured voltage levels. The vital processing units are each programmed to determine based on one or more of the first current measurement, the second current measurement and the measured voltage levels: (i) the state of the item of railroad wayside signaling equipment, (ii) failures within the item of railroad wayside signaling equipment, and (iii) failures within the monitoring apparatus itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Ansaldo STS USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Alexander, James Brown, Bernard Clement, Kelly Berger, James Riling, Joseph Reutzel
  • Publication number: 20130211755
    Abstract: A detection circuit includes an amplifier circuit, a rechargeable unit, a first comparator, a second comparator, a reference voltage providing circuit, a first resistor R1, a second resistor R2, and a processing unit. The amplifier circuit is connected to a bridge circuit sensor and amplifies signals output by the bridge circuit sensor to an output voltage Vo. The reference voltage providing circuit provides a reference voltage Vref1. A charge current of the rechargeable unit is (Vref1?V0)/(R1+R2), and a discharge current is (Vref1?VCC)/R1. The processing unit controls the rechargeable unit to be charged for a time period T1 and to be discharged during a time period T2. The processing unit then calculates the output voltage Vo according to an equation: (Vref1?V0)×T1/(R1+R2)=(Vref1?VCC)×T2/R1, and obtains the signals according to the output voltage Vo.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., FU TAI HUA INDUSTRY (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: QI-LONG YU
  • Patent number: 8508215
    Abstract: An arrangement for measuring values of a voltage applied to an electronic component. The arrangement comprises a first signal transmitter which can emit a first switching signal, a first switch coupled to the first signal transmitter and can be controlled by the first switching signal. The electronic component is connected in series to the first switch and can be coupled, via the same, to an electric energy source. A second signal transmitter, which can emit a second switching signal. A second switch is coupled to the second signal transmitter and can be controlled by the second switching signal. A capacitive accumulator is connected in series to the second switch and can be connected in parallel, via the same, to the electronic component or to the series connection formed by the electronic component and the first switch. An analog/digital converter which is connected in parallel to the capacitive accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Lemforder Electronic GmbH
    Inventor: Rainer Haevescher
  • Patent number: 8510066
    Abstract: A voltage sensor consists of a number of capacitive voltage sensors coupled to test points in an electrical power system. The outputs of the voltage sensors are digitized and processed by a digital processor, which determines a normal value for the monitored AC voltages, and then determines if the monitored AC voltages are acceptable based on variations from the normal value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Inc
    Inventors: Laurence V. Feight, Ryan W. Swartzendruber, Kurt J. Fenske
  • Publication number: 20130204562
    Abstract: A method for detecting voltages of an electronic device determines a first number of events in a System Event Log (SEL) of the electronic device, acquires a first voltage of a specific component from the voltage sensor, and records a first time. After a first time interval has elapsed, a second number of the events is determined, and a second voltage of the specific component is acquired. An absolute value of a difference between the second and first voltage of the voltage sensor is calculated when the second number is equal to the first number. Abnormal information of the specific component is outputted when a time difference between the second and first time is less than a second time interval and a number of the absolute value is not less than a predetermined number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: XIAO LIANG, MING LI
  • Patent number: 8502521
    Abstract: A measuring device for a hard disk drive includes a first input node, a hard disk drive having a first input terminal, the first input terminal being coupled to the first input node to provide power to the hard disk drive. A first input current sampling unit is coupled between the first input node and the first input terminal of the hard disk drive to obtain a first input current Iin1. A first input voltage sampling unit is coupled to the first input terminal of the hard disk drive to obtain a first input voltage Uin1. A control unit is coupled to the first input current sampling unit and the first input voltage sampling unit to receive the first input current and the first input voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Song-Lin Tong, Qi-Yan Luo, Peng Chen
  • Patent number: 8504851
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a central processing unit (CPU), a number of power supply units (PSUs), a north bridge, a south bridge, and a baseboard management controller (BMC). The number of power supply units (PSUs) supplies power to the CPU. Each PSU has a rated power. The north bridge is connected to the CPU. The south bridge is connected to the north bridge. The BMC is connected to the CPU by the north and south bridges. The BMC detects power supply states of each PSU and controls the north bridge to adjust a power consumption of the CPU according to the power supply states of the PSUs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kuan-Hsiang Chao
  • Publication number: 20130197836
    Abstract: A voltage and current measuring device includes a plurality of voltage measuring modules, a plurality of one-way current measuring modules, a plurality of two-way current measuring modules, a voltage transformation module, a communication interface module, and a processor. The modules are integrated to provide different ways of measuring voltage and current concurrently, enable peripheral expansion, and facilitate power supply. Hence, the device features integration and versatility, speeds up a measurement process, and cuts production costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: WEI-YAO CHENG, CHING-FENG HSIEH
  • Publication number: 20130197837
    Abstract: A method for determining the movement time curve of an electromagnetically driven armature of an actuator that has a coil may include: (a) applying to the coil a control signal dimensioned such that the armature undergoes only a partial deviation from the armature starting position without reaching an end position defined by a stop, and reaches, the armature starting position again after reaching a turnaround position, wherein the deviation of the armature over time is described at least approximately by a section of a parabola at least between the turnaround position and the starting position, (b) determining the time at which the armature reaches the armature starting position again, (c) determining the speed with which the armature reaches the armature starting position again, and (d) ascertaining the movement time curve of the armature using a mathematical equation that describes the parabola based on the detected time and the detected speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventor: Gerd Rösel
  • Publication number: 20130194101
    Abstract: A shield of a power cable diverts leakage current to ground. During normal operation, the leakage current is steady. An increase in leakage current can lead to a failure mode of the power cable. Systems and methods are described to measure leakage current with a current transducer, which generates a current signal based on the leakage current, and to process the current signal to provide an output of the health of the power cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Srikumar Devupalli
  • Patent number: 8498831
    Abstract: To include one or a plurality of internal signal lines that electrically connects an interface chip to a core chip. The interface chip includes a first circuit that outputs a current to an internal wiring and the core chip includes a second circuit that outputs a current to the first internal signal line. The interface chip includes a determination circuit that has a first input terminal connected to the internal wiring through which the current outputted by the first circuit flows and a second input terminal connected to an end of the first internal signal line in the interface chip, and outputs a voltage according to a potential difference between a voltage of the first input terminal and a voltage of the second input terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Ide, Hideyuki Yoko, Kayoko Shibata, Kenichi Tanamachi, Takanori Eguchi, Yasuyuki Shigezane, Naoki Ogawa, Kazuo Hidaka
  • Publication number: 20130191058
    Abstract: An intelligent analysis method of leakage current data for chip classification is provided. The analysis method includes steps of: providing a plurality of given patterns to a chip and measuring a plurality of leakage currents of the chip corresponding to the given patterns; finding a minimum value of the leakage currents and deriving an uninfected process parameter according to the minimum value; calculating a plurality of ?-Iddq values based on the uninfected process parameter and the given patterns; and applying a clustering algorithm to the ?-Iddq values to classify whether the chip is a defect-free one. By employing the novel method, it is advantageous of high efficiency and precision without involving any threshold-value determination, visual inspection and/or pattern modification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: NATIONAL CHIAO TUNG UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: National Chiao Tung University
  • Publication number: 20130191056
    Abstract: A method for obtaining PWM values for an LED module having n LED chips from various color ranges, wherein n>1, wherein for each LED chip a PWM value for producing a target color value is obtained, is characterized in that a calibration measurement is performed in which the wave lengths (?cal1, ?cal2, ?cal3) and/or the standard color proportion values ((x,y)cal1, (x,y)cal2, (x,y)cal3) and possibly the luminous flux values of the individual LED chips are determined at a calibration temperature (Tcal), PWM control points are obtained, where each PWM control point contains a PWM value for each of the n color ranges of the LED module, during operation of the LED module a value that depends on the present temperature (Ta) of the LED module, in particular the present temperature (Ta) itself, is determined, and a first and a second PWM control point are assigned to this temperature-dependent value, and the PWM values for producing the target color value are obtained through interpolation between the assigned PWM c
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: FLEXTRONICS INTERNATIONAL KFT.
    Inventors: Tobias Gern, Uwe Burkhardt, Frank Wimbert, Rainer Kümer
  • Publication number: 20130191057
    Abstract: A system and method for the management of data collection from a pressure sensing apparatus. The system allows rapid measurement of pressure exerted upon a surface and may be useful in preventing bed sore development in a bed bound subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: ENHANCED SURFACE DYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Amir Ben Shalom, Itai Raab, Tal (Natan) Remez, Boaz Ben David, Dan Weiss, Ruth Poliakine, Lior Greenstein, Yonatan Assuline, Gusti Averbuch, Tsahi Asher
  • Patent number: RE44464
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for determining a characteristic curve (9) for an electric variable (Pel, Q, ?, cos ?, IP, IQ) of a wind energy plant (1). According to the present invention, it is provided that at least one characteristic value of the electric variable (Pel, Q, ?, cos ?, IP, IQ) is measured for at least one value of the wind (vW), and for the at least one value of the wind (vW), a characteristic value of the electric variable (Pel, Q, ?, cos ?, IP, IQ) is adapted from a predetermined characteristic curve (7) containing characteristic values of the electric variable (Pel, Q, ?, cos ?, IP, IQ) as a function of different values of the wind (vW), taking into account the characteristic value measured for the at least one value of the wind (vW).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Nordex Energy GmbH
    Inventors: Mark Jurkat, Ulrich Harms