w Electronic switching module for a power tool By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electronic power apparatus is provided, including a circuit board having a conductive pads and a sense pad coupled to an output signal, and an actuator having a wiper portion accommodating a conductive wiper. The wiper includes a first end arranged to engage the sense pad and a second end arranged to slidably engage at least one of the conductive pads on the circuit board. The conductive pads are arranged in a first row of conductive pads and a second row of conductive pads in parallel with and at a distance to the first row of conductive pads. An alignment of the second row of conductive pads is offset with respect to the first row of conductive pads. Full Article
w Substrate device or package using embedded layer of voltage switchable dielectric material in a vertical switching configuration By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A substrate device includes an embedded layer of VSD material that overlays a conductive element or layer to provide a ground. An electrode, connected to circuit elements that are to be protected, extends into the thickness of the substrate to make contact with the VSD layer. When the circuit elements are operated under normal voltages, the VSD layer is dielectric and not connected to ground. When a transient electrical event occurs on the circuit elements, the VSD layer switches instantly to a conductive state, so that the first electrode is connected to ground. Full Article
w Aresistive device with flexible substrate and method for manufacturing the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A resistive device includes a resistive layer, a flexible substrate arranged on the resistive layer, and an electrode layer. The electrode layer includes two electrode sections arranged below the resistive layer and separate to each other. Moreover, a method for manufacturing the resistive device with flexible substrate is also disclosed. Full Article
w Articulated work holder for a remote controlled vehicle and the like By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An articulated work holder for a fractional dimensioned, performance vehicle including a base member and first, second and third, support arms having multiple degrees of rotational movement and a vise member carrying vehicle engagement pads for supporting a fractional dimensioned, performance vehicle between the vise engagement pads. Full Article
w Clamping mechanism with detachable positioning member By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A clamping mechanism includes a positioning member, a support plate, a frame, a fastening assembly, and an operating assembly. The support plate defines a through hole. The fastening assembly is fixed to the frame. The fastening assembly includes a fastening member and an elastic member. The positioning member extends through the through hole of the support plate, and is fastened by the fastening member under an elastic force of the elastic member. The operating assembly resists the fastening member, thereby driving the fastening member away from the positioning member. Full Article
w Machine vise parallel with angled edges By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A work orienting plate or angled vise parallel for use with a machine vise and which angled plate has first, second and third reference edges with the second and third reference edges being spaced apart side edges that are perpendicular to the first edge. Angled work piece support edges join the second and third reference edges, respectively. The angled work piece support edges are at different angles from one another so that a work piece can be supported on any one of the edges relative to a reference surface of a vise on which the work orienting plate is mounted to position the work piece at selected angles for machining angled surfaces. Full Article
w Saw buck By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for holding a log or similar material during cutting is disclosed. The apparatus includes a log holder having a housing and a saddle. A cavity formed in the housing is tapered along a longitudinal axis for receiving an end of a log. The saddle is disposed adjacent to the tapered cavity and offset from the longitudinal axis to inhibit rotation of the log during cutting. A pole and a base rotatably support the log holder in the elevated position. Full Article
w Welding workbench assembly with wraparound dual stage barriers By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A welding workbench assembly comprises a base. The welding workbench assembly further comprises a first wraparound barrier comprising at least three panels, including a first panel, a second panel, and a third panel. The second panel is adjacent to the first panel at a first end of the first panel and the third panel is adjacent to the first panel at a second end of the first panel. The welding workbench assembly further comprises a second wraparound barrier comprising at least three panels, including a fourth panel, a fifth panel, and a sixth panel. The fifth panel is adjacent to the fourth panel at a first end of the fourth panel and the sixth panel is adjacent to the fourth panel at a second end of the fourth panel. Full Article
w Apparatus for holding a ski or snowboard during repair and maintenance By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A ski tip hold down assembly for holding the tip end of the ski. The ski tip hold down assembly having a base attached to a work bench and an upright stand affixed to the base. The upright stand having a ski rest on a top surface thereof and a ski tip hold down bar secured to the upright stand in spaced apart relation to the ski rest defining an opening adapted to receive a ski tip, with the ski oriented in a base-up configuration, with the ski tip extending underneath the ski tip hold down bar. The apparatus further including a tail rest assembly having a base adapted to be used on the work bench in spaced apart relation to the ski tip hold down assembly and further including an upright stand affixed to the base with a ski rest provided on a top surface thereof. Full Article
w Rotary jig of battery cell and process of welding for battery cell using the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed herein is a rotary jig for battery cells to successively manufacture battery cells having different sizes including a main body configured to have a hexahedral structure having a rotary rod mounted at a lower end thereof, the main body being provided at sides thereof with mounting frames having sizes corresponding to sizes of battery cells so that the battery cells can be uprightly mounted in the mounting frames in a state in which electrode terminals of the battery cells are exposed upward, a die disposed at a lower end of the main body, the die connected to the rotary rod so that the die can be rotated manually or by a rotary motor, and support members formed at the die to support the mounting frames of the main body and the battery cells mounted in the mounting frames, wherein the rotary rod is rotated so that resistance welding is performed with respect to a portion of one of battery cells to be welded using a welding rod located above the battery cell in a state in which the battery cells are mounted to the corresponding sides of the main body. Full Article
w Apparatus and method for supporting a workpiece during processing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for supporting a workpiece during processing of the workpiece is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: a chassis having a vacuum chamber that is connectable to a vacuum source; a supporting device rotatable relative to the chassis, the supporting device having a hollow compartment and a supporting surface for holding the workpiece; and at least one sealing device arranged between the chassis and the supporting device, to provide an air-tight seal between the chassis and the supporting device while allowing for rotation of the supporting device with respect to the chassis, so as to form a vacuum passage extending from the supporting surface of the supporting device through the hollow compartment of the supporting device and the vacuum chamber of the chassis to the vacuum source, to thereby hold the workpiece to the supporting surface of the supporting device during processing of the workpiece. Full Article
w Adjusting device of wafer machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to an adjusting device of wafer machine, which includes a rotary adjustment assembly that is rotatable to cause the rotation of a rod so as to displace a support block thereby elevating or lowering a support post. A balance board is thus caused to move a wafer substrate so as to realize balancing of wafer through the support post, whereby efficient adjustment of the wafer machine to a balanced position can be achieved without extra expense of time in adjustment operation and thus accelerating the time of manufacturing process and providing extremely high precision and further effectively reducing the potential risk of damage caused by over-adjustment. Full Article
w Loading container for a washing machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A loading container (10) for a washing machine (60) comprises a containing body (12) to support and position objects to be washed inside the washing machine (60) or washing devices (20, 22) containing the objects to be washed. The container (10) also comprises a base body (14), located below the containing body (12), and a rotation unit (45) to connect rotatably the base body (14) and the containing body (12) so as to allow a selective reciprocal angular positioning of the containing body (12) and the base body (14). Full Article
w Workpiece support By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A workpiece support, including: first and second arms pivotably connected to first and second support members respectively, the first and second support members being spaced apart, each arm including first and second receiving members for receiving the workpiece, the first and second receiving members being provided at first and second ends of each arm respectively, wherein each arm is pivotably connected to the respective first and second support members at a point between the first and second ends of each arm, such that a workpiece may be supported by the first and second receiving members of the first arm and the first and second receiving members of the second arm. Full Article
w Rocking jaw gripper for restraining tubulars By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A rocking jaw gripper for restraining tubulars including an arm with a rocking jaw gripper rocker jaw, a rocking jaw gripper frame connected with the arm, a locking pin connecting the rocking jaw gripper frame to the chain cylinder, a hinge pin connecting the rocking jaw gripper frame to the arm and a plate jaw fastener retaining the rocker jaw body between the top plate and the bottom plate by engaging the tail hole of the rocker jaw body. When the rocking jaw gripper is engaged, it acts to restrain the movement of a tubular during make-up and break-out. Full Article
w Support structures and clamping systems for semiconductor devices during wire and ribbon bonding operations By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A support structure for supporting a semiconductor device during a bonding operation is provided. The support structure comprises a body portion defining an upper surface configured to support a semiconductor device during a bonding operation. The upper surface defines a constraining feature for constraining at least a portion of the semiconductor device during the bonding operation. Full Article
w Fluidic structure that allows removal of air bubbles from print heads without generating waste ink By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A fluidic structure has a first chamber having a connection to a fluid reservoir and a connection to an array of apertures, the chamber forming a flow path between the fluid reservoir and the array of apertures, a second chamber having a connection to at least one vent connected to an atmosphere external to the fluidic structure, and at least one path between the first chamber and the second chamber. Full Article
w Media multi-feed rejection process with an encoded counter-rotating roller By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT This invention relates to a media multi-feed rejection apparatus, comprising: a plurality of feed rollers; a feed roller driving means operatively connected to one of the plurality of feed rollers; a clutch means operatively connected to the other of the plurality of feed rollers; and a single channel encoder means operatively connected to the clutch means to measure a rotation of the other of the plurality of feed rollers. Full Article
w Optical writing controller, image forming apparatus, and optical writing control method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An optical writing controller that controls a light source to expose a photoconductor and forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor calculates a correction value for correcting a superimposing position where the developed images for different colors developing each of the electrostatic latent images formed on each of the multiple photoconductors are superimposed based on the detection signal output by a pattern detection sensor that detects a pattern for correcting the superimposing position, controls the multiple light sources to draw a predetermined pattern repeatedly in the sub-scanning direction so that stepwise patterns whose width in the main scanning direction varies with repetition are formed, and determines the width in the main scanning direction of the patterns for correcting based on the strength of the detection signal output by the pattern detection sensor. Full Article
w Image forming apparatus in which the light irradiated on a non-imaging portion is adjusted By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An image forming apparatus including a control unit configured to cause the light irradiation unit to irradiate the photosensitive member at an image forming portion to which toner particles adhere with light emitted from the light source by a first light emission amount, and cause the light irradiation unit to irradiate the photosensitive member at a non-image forming portion to which no toner particles adhere with light emitted from the light source by a second light emission amount that is smaller than the first light emission amount. The image forming apparatus further includes an adjusting unit configured to adjust the first light emission amount and the second light emission amount, and an acquisition unit configured to acquire information relating to a speed of surface of the photosensitive member. The adjusting unit is configured to change the second light emission amount according to information acquired by the acquisition unit. Full Article
w Laser scanning unit and image forming apparatus including the same, with laser light intensity detection, adjustment, and control By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A laser scanning unit includes a laser light source, rotating polygon mirror, drive motor, and entry detection, intensity detection, intensity adjustment, and drive control portions. The laser light source radiates first and second laser lights in first second directions, respectively. The drive motor rotates the polygon mirror reflecting the first laser light. The intensity adjustment portion adjusts the first laser light in accordance with the second laser light detected by the intensity detection portion, until a second time after a first time has elapsed since the first laser light entry detection by the entry detection portion. The drive control portion, upon adjustment by the intensity adjustment portion, drives the drive motor at a first rotation speed, wherein a return light entry timing is included within the first time or from when the second time has elapsed to the timing of the entry detection portion detection. Full Article
w Image forming device with smoothing correction for plural light emitting segments By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An image forming device includes a photoreceptor drum including a target surface that is scanned in a main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction, an exposure head including a plurality of light emitting segments aligned in parallel to the main scanning direction, an exposure driving unit which selectively drives the plural light emitting segments, a storing unit which stores a profile where the respective positions of the plural light emitting segments correspond to a correction amount from the main scanning direction toward the sub-scanning direction at every position, and a correcting unit which smoothes a local change of the correction amount in the profile. Full Article
w 2-D straight-scan on imaging surface with a raster polygon By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A 2-D scanning system uses a fast-rotating raster-polygon as a single scanning component to produce straight scan lines over a 2-D image surface. An approach angle of incident light beams to the raster-polygon is selected to minimize pin-cushion distortion of scan lines introduced by polygon scanning on the image surface, and a tilt angle of the rotational axis of the raster-polygon is selected to position said polygon-scanning distortion symmetrically on the image surface. In addition, scan optics are configured to generate a predetermined amount of barrel distortion of scan lines on the image surface to compensate for pin-cushion distortion introduced by polygon scanning. Full Article
w Disposable digital camera with printing assembly By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Oct 2015 08:00:00 EDT A digital camera includes an image capture assembly; a print media transport assembly; a pagewidth ink jet printhead; a roll of print media; an internal chassis serving as a frame on which the image capture assembly, the print media transport assembly, and the printhead are directly supported; and an external casing completely encasing therewithin the internal chassis. The external casing is openable, and the internal chassis together with the assemblies and printhead supported thereon are removable from the external casing. The internal chassis is provided as an integral frame configured with pre-molded fittings adapted to receive and support the assemblies and printhead. Full Article
w Electromagnetic wave reverberation chamber By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electromagnetic wave reverberation chamber includes: an electromagnetic wave absorbing apparatus installed in an intended space of the electromagnetic wave reverberation chamber for adjusting a reflection characteristic of an inside of the electromagnetic wave reverberation chamber, wherein the electromagnetic wave absorbing apparatus have an electromagnetic bandgap structure including a plurality of unit cells arranged periodically. Full Article
w Optimizing switching sequence in the case of switched antenna arrays By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An antenna array for a radar sensor, wherein the antenna array has a number of antenna elements linearly arranged next to one another. The antenna elements are designed for transmitting or receiving a radar signal, and the antenna array has a switching unit, which is designed to connect the antenna elements according to a predetermined switching sequence individually, one after the other in time, with a transmitting or receiving unit of the radar sensor. The switching sequence, according to which the antenna elements are connected one after the other with the transmitting or receiving unit, deviates from the spatial sequence of the antenna elements in the antenna array. Full Article
w Intermittent filling level determination with dynamically determined number of measurements By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of determining a filling level of a product contained in a tank using a level gauge system, comprising the steps of: transmitting a first signal towards a surface of the product; receiving a first echo signal; determining a present echo characteristic value based on the first echo signal; and comparing the present echo characteristic value and a stored echo characteristic value. If a difference between the present echo characteristic value and the stored echo characteristic value is greater than a predefined value, the method further comprises transmitting at least a second transmit signal towards the surface; receiving at least a second echo signal; and determining the filling level based on the at least second electromagnetic echo signal. Full Article
w Positioning using a local wave-propagation model By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and apparatus for assisting the calculation of the position of a receiver device (1200), by observing a transmitted signal having a known structure. The method comprises: comparing (S220) the time of arrival, at a reference position (X1), of a first portion of the signal with the time of arrival at the receiver, at an unknown position (Y1), of a second portion of the signal; obtaining (S230) a local wave propagation model of the signal, the model comprising an estimate of the direction of propagation of the signal in the neighborhood of the reference position and unknown position; and using (S240) the direction of propagation and the result of the comparison to assist in the calculation of the unknown position relative to the reference position. Full Article
w Wide area positioning systems and methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Devices, systems, and methods for sending positional information from transmitters/beacons are disclosed. In one implementation a transmitter generates a range block including a ranging signal and a hybrid block including positioning data, and sends the range block and hybrid block in predefined slots in a transmit frame. A receiver in a user device receives signals from a plurality of transmitters and generates position/location information using trilateration and measured altitude information in comparison with transmitter altitude information. Full Article
w Wireless communication terminal By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A wireless communication terminal includes a communication status measurement element for measuring communication status data representing a communication status of the self terminal at the time of wireless communications; a reference data storage element for storing respective pieces of preset reference data representing communication statuses of a terminal which can be measured at respective locations at the time of wireless communications, in association with respective pieces of location data identifying the respective locations, and a location specifying element for comparing the communication status data measured by the communication status measurement element with the respective pieces of reference data stored in the reference data storage element, and based on the comparison result, specifying a location corresponding to the location data associated with a particular piece of reference data as a location of the self terminal. Full Article
w Time of arrival (TOA) estimation for positioning in a wireless communication network By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Techniques for determining time of arrivals (TOAs) of signals in a wireless communication network are described. Each cell may transmit (i) synchronization signals on a set of contiguous subcarriers in the center portion of the system bandwidth and (ii) reference signals on different sets of non-contiguous subcarriers distributed across the system bandwidth. A UE may determine TOA for a cell based on multiple signals transmitted on different sets of subcarriers. The UE may perform correlation for a first signal (e.g., a synchronization signal) from the cell to obtain first correlation results for different time offsets. The UE may perform correlation for a second signal (e.g., a reference signal) from the cell to obtain second correlation results for different time offsets. The UE may combine the first and second correlation results and may determine the TOA for the cell based on the combined correlation results. Full Article
w System and method for processing and displaying wake turbulence By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system and method to display, when within an envelope of an ownship's flight path, a symbol representing wake turbulence from another aircraft based on aircraft type and flight parameters received from the other aircraft, the symbol being formatted to indicate the severity of portions of the wake turbulence. The format is modified periodically in accordance with the aircraft's flight path and a decay rate of the wake turbulence. Full Article
w Unmanned aircraft with built-in collision warning system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An unmanned aircraft, unmanned aviation system and method for collision avoidance during the flight operation of an unmanned aircraft are provided. The unmanned aircraft includes a lift and propulsion system and a flight control system having a flight control unit, a navigation system and an actuator system. The flight control unit has an autopilot unit. The flight control unit calculates control commands using data from the navigation system and/or the autopilot unit, which can be conveyed to the actuator system for actuating the lift and propulsion system. A collision warning system is connected with the flight control system, the collision warning system detects a collision situation and makes collision avoidance data available. A connection between the collision warning system and the autopilot unit is provided, in order to initiate an obstacle avoidance maneuver by the autopilot unit with the help of the collision avoidance data. Full Article
w Determining the location of a load for a tower crane By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A tower crane load location determiner is disclosed. One example includes a load location measurer to provide load location measurement information for a load coupled with a tower crane. In addition, a load position determiner utilizes the load location measurement information to determine a location of the load. A user accessible load location provider provides the determined location of the load. Full Article
w Radar receiver, and radar device equipped with same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT There is provided a radar receiver that effectively prevents local oscillator signals from leaking out from an antenna. A receiver 21 includes a local oscillator 5, a mixer 6, a buffer amplifier 11, and a mode switcher 16. The local oscillator 5 outputs a local oscillation signal LO. The mixer 6 mixes a high-frequency signal RF received by a radar antenna 2 with the local oscillation signal LO. The buffer amplifier 11 is disposed between the local oscillator 5 and the mixer 6. The mode switcher 16 switches at least between a standby mode in which power is supplied to the local oscillator 5 and no power is supplied to the buffer amplifier 11 and a reception mode in which power is supplied to both the local oscillator 5 and the buffer amplifier 11. Full Article
w Method and apparatus for doubling the capacity of a lens-based switched beam antenna system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A lens-based switched beam antenna system including a beam-forming lens, and a beam port router coupled to the beam-forming lens, including a plurality of beam ports, and configured to transmit beams via corresponding ones of the beam ports, wherein a first group of the beam ports corresponds to a first signal, and wherein a second group of the beam ports corresponds to a second signal. Full Article
w Apparatus and method for producing a multi-pattern wireless frame By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Multi-pattern transmission of frames. The method of operations comprises transmitting a first portion of a frame using a first radiation pattern. The frame comprises one or more preambles and a single data portion associated with the one or more preambles. Thereafter, an operation is conducted to switch the radiation pattern from the first radiation pattern, used to produce the first portion of the frame, to a second radiation pattern. A second portion of the same frame is produced using the second radiation pattern. Full Article
w Positioning for WLANS and other wireless networks By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Techniques for positioning access points and terminals in WLANs and other wireless networks are described. For access point positioning, measurements are obtained for at least one access point in a WLAN. The measurements may be based on transmission sequences (e.g., beacon frames) transmitted periodically by each access point. The measurements may be made by multiple terminals at different locations or a single mobile terminal at different locations. The location of each access point is determined based on the measurements and known locations of the terminal(s). For terminal positioning, measurements for at least one access point in a WLAN are obtained. The location of the terminal is determined based on the measurements and known location of each access point. The measurements may be round trip time (RTT) measurements, observed time difference (OTD) measurements, time of arrival (TOA) measurements, signal strength measurements, signal quality measurements, etc. Full Article
w Module for powerline communication transmission By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A powerline communication (PLC) transmission module transmits a signal over a three-line electrical mains supply. The PLC transmission module includes at least two coupling transformers, each transformer coupling the signal to first and second line-pairs of a three-line electrical mains supply, the first and second line-pairs different from one another. Driving circuitry drives a first version of the signal over the first line-pair and a second version of the signal over the second line-pair. Inversion circuitry selectively inverts one version of the signal relative to the other version of the signal, dependent upon an enacted transmission mode. The inversion circuitry may invert neither/both of the versions of the signal so that the signal is transmitted as a differential-mode signal on the line-pairs or invert one of the first and second versions of the signal relative to the other so that the signal is a common-mode signal. Full Article
w Power conditioner for feeding system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A power conditioner for a feeding system which stabilizes a load of active power is provided. A power conditioner for a feeding system comprises a first AC-DC and DC-AC converter for performing conversion between AC power and DC power; and a nickel-metal hydride battery disposed between and connected to a high-voltage cable at DC side of the first AC-DC and DC-AC converter and a low-voltage cable at the DC side of the first AC-DC and DC-AC converter. Full Article
w Power controller By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A power controller for a vehicle includes a power converter module, a three-phase terminal, and a three-phase terminal base. The three-phase terminal includes a first flat portion, a second flat portion, and a curved portion. The first flat portion is connected to a contact surface of a three-phase output terminal to be in contact with the contact surface. The second flat portion is connected to a fixed surface of the three-phase terminal base to be in contact with the fixed surface. The three-phase terminal has a shape such that a predetermined gap is provided between the first flat portion and the contact surface of the three-phase output terminal when the first flat portion is released from the contact surface of the three-phase output terminal while the second flat portion is being in contact with the fixed surface of the three-phase terminal base. Full Article
w Electric steering wheel lock device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electric steering wheel lock device includes a control circuit that starts and stops supplying power to a motor that actuates a lock mechanism to lock and unlock a movable member of a vehicle steering mechanism. The control circuit changes contact states of first and second relays to switch a supplying direction of the power. A drive restriction unit stops and starts supplying power to a drive circuit for the motor. The control circuit changes contact states of the first and second relays when the drive restriction unit stops supplying power to the drive circuit. Full Article
w Method of dynamically managing electrical power between an electrical power source and an electrical load By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Electrical power is dynamically managed among one or more power sources and one or more loads. A plurality of monitor nodes is connected to an input terminal connected to each source, and to an output terminal connected to each load. A plurality of electrical power storage cells is connected among the input and output terminals, each cell being capable of storing power from at least one of the sources and being capable of discharging stored power to at least one of the loads. A plurality of controllable switches is connected to the cells. A programmed controller dynamically monitors operating conditions at the monitor nodes during operation of each source and each load, and selectively dynamically controls the switches to interconnect the cells in different circuit topologies in response to the monitored operating conditions. Full Article
w Voltage setting device, photovoltaic power generation system, and control method of voltage setting device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An output converter includes a DCDC conversion section, a secondary side voltage/current monitoring section detecting a power from the DCDC conversion section, a maximum operation point control section determining what voltage is to be set by the DCDC conversion section so that the power detected by the secondary side voltage/current monitoring section is maximum, a DCDC short-circuit switch via which a current from a module bypasses the DCDC conversion section to outside, a primary side voltage/current monitoring section measuring the current from the module, a module short-circuit switch switching between a state where a secondary side cathode and a secondary side anode are short-circuited and a state where they are not short-circuited, the maximum operation point control section causing the DCDC short-circuit switch and the module short-circuit switch to switch. Full Article
w Power-fluctuation reducing apparatus for power generation system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT According to one embodiment, there is provided a power-fluctuation reducing apparatus in a power generation system to control a converter connected to the power generation system and connected to secondary batteries. The power-fluctuation reducing apparatus includes adjusting direct current voltages output from the secondary batteries, respectively, detecting the directing current voltages output from the secondary batteries, respectively, controlling to adjust the direct current voltages output from the secondary batteries to make the direct current voltages uniform, based on the detected direct current voltages, and controlling the converter to reduce power fluctuations in the power generation system. Full Article
w Power control system and controlling method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A power control system includes a rechargeable battery, the rechargeable battery including a first battery unit and including a second battery unit connected to a first terminal of the first battery unit at a first node, a switching unit, the switching unit including a first switch connected to a second terminal of the first battery unit and including a second switch connected to the first node, and a control unit, the control unit being configured to generate and transmit switch control signals respectively corresponding to the first switch and the second switch, and being configured to control a voltage of the rechargeable battery such that the voltage is maintained in a threshold range of a predetermined rated voltage. Full Article
w Electric power control system and electric power facility comprising the electric power control system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electric power control system is provided. The power control system includes a first node to which a plurality of power production entities are connectable for combining their power output signals as a first power signal, a transformer adapted to transformer the first power signal at the first node to a second power signal at a second node connectable to a load, the second power signal having a higher voltage than the first power signal, at least one capacitor connectable to the first node and/or to the second node, a control unit adapted to control the connection of the at least one capacitor to the first node and/or to the second node such that a power loss caused by transmission loss of the power output signals from the power production entities to the load is minimized. Full Article
w Wireless energy transfer for photovoltaic panels By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Described herein are improved configurations for a wireless power transfer involving photovoltaic panels. Described are methods and designs that use electric energy from a photovoltaic module to energize at least one wireless energy source to produce an oscillating magnetic field for wireless energy transfer. The source may be configured and tuned to present an impedance to a photovoltaic module wherein said impedance enables substantial extraction of energy from said photovoltaic module. Full Article
w Wireless power feeder, wireless power receiver, and wireless power transmission system, and coil By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A wireless power feeder feeds power from a feeding coil L2 to a receiving coil L3 by wireless using a magnetic field coupling between the feeding coil L2 and the receiving coil L3. The feeding coil L2 is formed so as to be rotated. A power transmission control circuit supplies AC power to the feeding coil L2 to make the feeding coil L2 feed the AC power to the receiving coil L3. The power transmission control circuit rotates the feeding coil L2 to change the opposing area between the feeding coil L2 and the receiving coil L3 as viewed in the axis direction of the feeding coil L2 to thereby adjust the AC power to be supplied from the feeding coil L2 to the receiving coil L3. Full Article
w System and method for providing simple feedback signals indicating if more or less power is required during inductive power transmission By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An inductive power outlet for providing power to an electric load via an inductive power receiver includes at least one primary inductive coil wired to a power supply via a driver configured to provide a driving voltage across the primary inductive coil such that a secondary voltage is induced in a secondary inductive coil associated with the inductive power receiver. The driver may include a controller configured to receive feedback control signals from the inductive power receiver indicating if more or less power is required. The controller may be further configured to adjust the driving voltage according to the control signals. Full Article