urr Over-current protection device and method of making the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST An over-current protection device has a PTC device, first and second electrodes and an insulation layer. The PTC device comprises first and second electrically conductive members and a PTC layer laminated between the first and second electrically conductive members. The first and second electrodes are electrically connected to the first and second electrically conductive members, respectively. The insulation layer is disposed on a surface of the first electrically conductive member. The device is a stack structure extending along a first direction, and comprises at least one hole extending along a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The value of the covered area of the hole divided by the area of the form factor of the over-current protection device is not less than 2%, and the value of the thickness of the device divided by the number of the PTC devices is less than 0.7 mm. Full Article
urr Apparatus and method for improved current shunt sensing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus and method for improved current shunt sensing in an electrical system, such as a renewable energy electrical system, is disclosed. A current shunt according to aspects of the present disclosure includes a conductive portion that is placed in series with an electrical system The current shunt includes a sensing element that is used to measure the voltage across the conductive portion of the current shunt. The sensing element has an increased width relative to the width of the conductive portion of the shunt. The increased width of the sensing element provides for improved current shunt sensing that results in more accurate voltage (and thus current) measurements across a wide range of frequencies. Full Article
urr Surface mountable over-current protection device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A surface-mountable over-current protection device comprises a PTC material layer, first and second conductive layers, first and second electrodes, first and second electrically conductive connecting members. The PTC material layer has a resistivity less than 0.18 Ω-cm. The conductive layers are in contact with opposite surfaces of the PTC material layer. The first electrode comprises pair of first metal foils and is insulated from the second conductive layer. The second electrode comprises a pair of second metal foils and is insulated from the first conductive layer. The first electrically conductive connecting member connects to the first metal foils and conductive layer. The second electrically conductive connecting member connects to the second metal foils and conductive layer. The first electrically conductive connecting member comprises 40%-100% by area of the first lateral surface, and the second electrically conductive connecting member comprises 40%-100% by area of the second lateral surface. Full Article
urr Over-current protection device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An over-current protection device comprises a PTC material layer, a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer. The PTC material layer has opposite first and second surfaces and opposite first and second lateral surfaces. The first electrode layer is in physical contact with the first surface of the PTC material layer and extends to the first lateral surface. The second electrode layer is in physical contact with the first surface of the PTC material layer and extends to the second lateral surface. The second electrode layer is insulated from the first electrode layer by a first separation. The first electrode layer and the second electrode layer are substantially laterally symmetrical, and serve as interfaces for current flowing in and out of the device when the over-current protection device is in use. Full Article
urr Surface mountable over-current protection device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A surface mountable over-current protection device comprises one PTC material layer, first and second conductive layers, first and second electrodes, and an insulating layer. The PTC material layer comprises crystalline polymer and conductive filler dispersed therein. The first and second conductive layers are disposed on first and second planar surfaces of the PTC material layer, respectively. The first and second electrodes are electrically connected to the first and second conductive layers. The insulating layer is disposed between the first and the second electrodes for insulation. At the melting point of the crystalline polymer, the CTE of the crystalline polymer is greater than 100 times the CTE of the first or second conductive layer, and the first and/or second conductive layers has a thickness which is large enough to obtain a resistance jump value R3/Ri less than 1.4. Full Article
urr Current sensing circuit disconnect device and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A device and method are provided for saving power and electricity in a charging device such for external power supplies and battery chargers having a primary circuit and a secondary circuit where a switch is located in the primary circuit and a current sensing device in the secondary circuit to sense when there is a drop in current in the secondary circuit or no current in the secondary circuit because the load or a cell phone is charged and when this occurs the switch in the primary circuit is opened and the primary circuit no longer draws power from the source of power until the switch in the primary circuit is closed by activation of a user of the charging device. Full Article
urr Transfer switch with ground current indication By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A transfer switch configured to detect a ground current is configured to selectively connect a first power source or a second power source to a load. Each of the power sources includes at least one “hot” lead and one neutral lead, and the transfer switch is configured to switch both the “hot” and the neutral leads. If the neutral switching portion of the transfer switch fails, current may be supplied to the load via the “hot” lead of one of the power sources and return from the load via a ground conductor and the neutral lead of the other power source. The transfer switch includes a current sensor, detecting current on the ground conductor, in order to detect such a condition. The signal from the current sensor is provided to a control circuit, which, in turn, activates an indicator if the current on the ground conductor exceeds a predefined level. Full Article
urr Method and apparatus for processing a motor signal, having current ripple, of a DC motor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 May 2014 08:00:00 EDT In order to process a motor signal (Ia, Um) of a DC motor (4), in particular of an adjustment drive of a motor vehicle, the armature current (Ia) and the motor voltage (Um) of the DC motor (4) are detected and used for determining the back-emf (E) of the DC motor (4), wherein the determined back-emf (E) is used to generate a useful signal (Sf, SEFL), which is in particular speed-proportional, from the armature current signal (Ia) for position sensing or for evaluating an excess force limitation. Full Article
urr Spindle speed detection through current sensing during boost braking By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 15 Jul 2014 08:00:00 EDT A circuit includes a comparator having input terminals configured to be coupled across a drive transistor adapted to drive a phase of a motor. The comparator senses a drive current of the motor phase, said sensed drive current represented by a periodic signal whose period is indicative of motor speed. A motor speed calculation circuit receives the periodic signal and processes the periodic signal to determine a speed of the motor. Full Article
urr Motor current detection apparatus, motor controller, and electric power tool By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A motor current detection apparatus in the present invention includes: a current detection unit, a first filter, and a second filter. The detection unit detects a conduction current flowing from a battery to a brushless motor and outputs a conduction current signal corresponding to the detected conduction current. The first filter extracts a first current signal which is included in the conduction current signal outputted from the detection unit and is a signal component in a frequency band equal to or lower than a predetermined first cutoff frequency. The second filter extracts a second current signal which is included in the conduction current signal outputted from the detection unit and is a signal component in a predetermined frequency band within a frequency band equal to or lower than a predetermined second cutoff frequency higher than the first cutoff frequency and having the second cutoff frequency as a maximum value. Full Article
urr Apparatus and method for compensating offset of current sensor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is an apparatus for compensating offset of a current sensor detecting a motor current supplied by an inverter for PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control of a motor, the apparatus including a current controller providing a PWM signal generated based on the motor current detected by the current sensor to the inverter, calculating an offset using the motor current detected by the current sensor in response to presence and absence of the PWM control of the motor, or offset-compensating the motor current detected by the current sensor. Full Article
urr Driving circuit with zero current shutdown and a driving method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods and circuits related to a driving circuit with zero current shutdown are disclosed. In one embodiment, a driving circuit with zero current shutdown can include: a linear regulating circuit that receives an input voltage source, and outputs an output voltage; a start-up circuit having a threshold voltage, the start-up circuit receiving an external enable signal; a first power switch receiving both the output voltage of the linear regulating circuit and the external enable signal, and that generates an internal enable signal, the internal enable signal being configured to drive a logic circuit; when the external enable signal is lower than a threshold voltage, the driving circuit is not effective; when the external enable signal is higher than the threshold voltage, the start-up circuit outputs a first current; and where the output voltage at the first output terminal is generated by the linear regulating circuit based on the first current. Full Article
urr Intelligent current drive for bus lines By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An intelligent current drive is disclosed that couples an active current source to a bus line to increase the rate of pull-up and decouples the active current source from the bus line prior to reaching the desired pull-up voltage. Full Article
urr Current reused stacked ring oscillator and injection locked divider, injection locked multiplier By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A phase locked loop includes a voltage controlled oscillator and a frequency divider or frequency multiplier. The voltage controlled oscillator and the frequency divider/multiplier are coupled together in a stacked configuration. A drive current is supplied to the voltage controlled oscillator. The drive current passes from the voltage controlled oscillator to the frequency divider/multiplier, thereby driving the frequency divider/multiplier with the same drive current that was supplied to the voltage controlled oscillator. Full Article
urr Current output control device, current output control method, digitally controlled oscillator, digital PLL, frequency synthesizer, digital FLL, and semiconductor device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A current output control device is provided that includes: a current cell array section including plural current cell circuits that are each connected in parallel between a first terminal (power source) and a second terminal (ground) that connect between the first terminal and the second terminal in by operation ON so as to increase control current flowing between the first terminal and the second terminal; and a code conversion section (decoder) that generates signals (row codes, column codes) to ON/OFF control current cells so as to change the number of current cells that connect the first terminal and the second terminal according to change in an externally input code and that inputs the generated signals to the current cell array section. Full Article
urr Semiconductor device including a current mirror circuit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In a semiconductor device, where, with respect to a parasitic resistor in a current mirror circuit, a compensation resistor for compensating the parasitic resistor is provided in the current mirror circuit, the current mirror circuit includes at least two thin film transistors. The thin film transistors each have an island-shaped semiconductor film having a channel formation region and source or drain regions, a gate insulating film, a gate electrode, and source or drain electrodes, and the compensation resistor compensates the parasitic resistor of any one of the gate electrode, the source electrode, and the drain electrode. In addition, each compensation resistor has a conductive layer containing the same material as the gate electrode, the source or drain electrodes, or the source or drain regions. Full Article
urr Apparatus and system for imaging currency bills and financial documents and method for using the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 Mar 2013 08:00:00 EST Currency bills are received, transported, and imaged to produce image data from which a visually readable image of each currency bill can be reproduced. Each of the currency bills includes a denomination, a serial number, and a set of secondary identifiers. One of the currency bills is determined to be a suspect bill. The suspect bill serial number is attempted to be extracted from the image data associated with the suspect bill. In response to failing to extract a complete serial number of the suspect bill, a serial number field in a suspect report is populated with a serial number snippet image. Full Article
urr Transmitter having voltage driver and current driver By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A circuit includes a first power node at a first voltage level, a second power node at a second voltage level, a first voltage driver, a first current driver, and a control unit. The first voltage driver is configured to electrically couple a first output node to the first power node when a first input signal at the first input node is at a first logic state, and electrically couple a first output node to the second power node when the first input signal is at a second logic state. The first current driver is configured to inject or extract a first adjustment current into or out of a first output node. The control unit is configured to generate a measurement result of the first voltage level, and to set the first adjustment current according to the measurement result. Full Article
urr Apparatus for chamfering and/or deburring of gears By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST Gear processing machine (4), such as a gear cutting or grinding machine, wherein a chamfering and/or deburring apparatus (2) and auxiliary spindle (10) are included on the same machine. A transfer mechanism (8) loads, unloads and transfers workpieces between a machining spindle (6) and the auxiliary spindle (10) thereby enabling simultaneous cutting and chamfering and/or deburring processes to be carried out. Via the auxiliary spindle, completed workpieces may be removed from the machine and blank workpieces may be loaded into the machine while another gear is being processed on the machine spindle thereby enhancing machine output and creating a more efficient operation. Full Article
urr Machine tool comprising a machine spindle, a tool holder and a contact point for electric current or data transmission By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A machine tool having a motor-driven machine spindle which can be rotated about a spindle axis. The machine spindle has a tool holder arranged at the face. A tool is exchangeably arranged on the machine spindle. The tool has a coupling element which is compatible with the tool holder of the machine spindle. The coupling element has a rear surface pointing toward the machine spindle. The machine tool has at least one galvanic contact point for the electric current or data transmission, the point being arranged between the machine spindle and the tool and rotating together with the machine spindle. The galvanic contact point has a contact element which is arranged at the face of the tool holder on the spindle side, and a contact element which is arranged on the rear surface of the coupling element on the tool side. Full Article
urr Human surrogate neck model By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A human surrogate neck model includes a spinal neck region containing cervical vertebrae. A biosimulant intervertebral material is inserted between the cervical vertebrae. The spinal neck region is surrounded by a first silicone material mixed with a polymeric cross-linking inhibitor. One or more elastic tension bands are anchored to a top interface and a bottom interface of the neck model. A second silicone material mixed with a polymeric cross-linking inhibitor is applied to surround the spinal neck region and the first silicone material and to embed the tension bands. One or more of the elastic tension bands and/or a concentration ratio of the first silicone material or second silicone material to the polymeric cross-linking inhibitor can be adjusted for variable test conditions to closely simulate or mimic the static and dynamic characteristics of a human neck in various scenarios. Full Article
urr Available charging/discharging current calculation method and power supply device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 30 Jun 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method includes steps of dividing resistance R into a physical and chemical resistances Ro and Rp, obtaining corrected open-circuit voltages Vo corresponding to setting currents Ia to Ix, acquiring predicted reaching voltages Va to Vx corresponding to the setting currents Ia to Ix, and creating a current-voltage curve. The corrected open-circuit voltages Vo are obtained to predict available maximum currents I—target in a particular time t2. The predicted reaching voltages Va to Vx are acquired based on corrected physical and chemical resistances Ro and Rp, and the corrected open-circuit voltages Vo. The current-voltage curve is creased based on the setting currents Ia to Ix and the predicted reaching voltages Va to Vx to acquire upper and lower limit voltages Vmax and Vmin, and upper and lower limit currents Imax and Imin at a temperature whereby assigning these limit currents to available maximum currents I—target in charging and discharging operations, respectively. Full Article
urr System and method for non-sinusoidal current waveform excitation of electrical generators By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST An electrical generator includes a stator having fractional-slot concentrated windings and a rotor having field windings. A drive is provided having a circuit to control current flow to the field windings and a controller to input an initial DC field current demand to the circuit to cause the circuit to output an initial DC field current representative of a DC field current demand that would cause an electrical generator having sinusoidal stator windings to output a desired AC power. The controller receives feedback on the magnetic field generated by the initial DC field current, isolates an ideal fundamental component of the magnetic field based on the feedback and to generate a modified DC field current demand, and inputs the modified DC field current demand to the circuit, thereby causing the circuit to output an instantaneous non-sinusoidal current to the field windings to generate a sinusoidal rotating air gap magnetic field. Full Article
urr Electromagnetic device for generating electrical current and methods thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An AC current generator for generating an CA current and method therefor and includes a stator and a rotor. The stator includes an outer shell of non-magnetic material enclosing an evacuated chamber and having a distribution of a plurality of ferromagnets attached thereto. The rotor includes an inner core of non-magnetic material located at a stability location within said evacuated chamber and having a distribution of a plurality of diamagnets attached thereto. In addition, the AC current generator includes at least one magnetic flux detection unit located within at least one magnetic field generated by at least one group of ferromagnets of the plurality of ferromagnets. Displacing the rotor from the stability location towards the at least one group of ferromagnets generates a change in magnetic flux in the magnetic field thereby generating an AC current in the at least one magnetic flux detection unit. Full Article
urr Direct current brushless motor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A motor includes a frame, a shaft rotatably mounted onto the frame, and at least one disc mounted onto the shaft. At least one permanent magnet is mounted on the disc, and at least one electromagnet and at least one coil are mounted to the frame in rotational magnetic proximity to the permanent magnet. A battery is connectable to the electromagnet and the coil for energizing the electromagnet and for receiving electrical current from the coil for charging the battery. A relay switch controls the transmission of electrical power from the battery to the electromagnet. A sensor generates a signal to the relay switch to activate electrical power to the electromagnet upon sensing that the permanent magnet is positioned with respect to the electromagnet such that a magnetic force generated by the electromagnet would be effective for inducing movement of the permanent magnet and consequent rotation of the disc. Full Article
urr Current balance control in converter for doubly fed induction generator wind turbine system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods for reducing current imbalance between parallel bridge circuits used in a power converter of a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) system are provided. A control system can monitor the bridge current of each of the bridge circuits coupled in parallel and generate a feedback signal indicative of the difference in bridge current between the parallel bridge circuits. Command signals for controlling the bridge circuits can then be developed based on the feedback signal to reduce current imbalance between the bridge circuits. For instance, the pulse width modulation of switching devices (e.g. IGBTs) used in the bridge circuits can be modified to reduce current imbalance between the parallel bridge circuits. Full Article
urr Current collector and energy transmission system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST The invention relates to a current collector 1 for a device 2 that can be displaced with and against the driving direction F along a conductor line 5, comprising a current collector cart 8 for the guided displacement along a guide element 9 of the conductor line 5, and an energy transmission system. The invention solves the problem of providing a current collector and an energy transmission system, which enable an energy-conserving, contact-reliable and damage-free displacement of the current collector along a conductor line and a simple connection of the current collector to the conductor line, in that at least one first lever assembly 12L between the current collector cart 8 and displaceable device 2 is provided with a first drive lever arm 13L, the first end of which can be connected in a rotatable manner to the displaceable device 2 and the second end of which is connected in a rotatable manner to a second end of at least one first tension lever arm 14L, the first end thereof being connected in a rotatable manner to a current collector cart, wherein a first adjustment drive 15L is provided in order to be able to move the current collector cart 8 between a retracted position on the displaceable device 2 and an extended position away from the displaceable device 2, and wherein a first locking device 16; 18L; 15L is provided, in order to lock the first drive lever arm 13L when displacing the displaceable device 2 in the driving direction F in a predetermined extended position. Full Article
urr Transport vehicle equipped with current collector By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A transport vehicle equipped with a current collector, includes: a vessel to load a load; a current collector that extends to receive electric power from an overhead line and contracts and retracts so as to be disposed away from the overhead line; and a vehicle body that rotationally drives driving wheels by at least one of the electric power from the current collector and a self-propelled driving source and on which the vessel is placed; a pantograph position detector that detects a relative position of the current collector and the overhead line; and a control device that controls a driving direction of the vehicle body or gives an instruction of information with which a direction in which the vehicle body is to be operated can be recognized, so that the relative position is brought to a position where the current collector and the overhead line are connected. Full Article
urr Slurry applicator for an agricultural machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST A trough is cut in the ground surface by a rotating member. The rotating member displaces soil upward with respect to the ground surface and rearwardly with respect to a direction of travel of the rotating member. While the soil is in the air, slurry is deposited into the trough. The soil is then redirected downward to the trough to cover the slurry with the soil. Full Article
urr Furrow closing assembly and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST Agricultural planter row units feature soil finishing assemblies for closing a seed groove after seed is placed in the soil. An adjustable furrow closing assembly enhances upper seed groove coverage and closure with soil resulting in sustained relative humidity levels and optimum seed-to-soil contact for faster seed germination. The furrow closing assembly includes a closing wheel assembly having at least one closing wheel and a press wheel assembly having a press wheel following behind the closing wheels. The closing wheels and press wheel are attached to the planter row unit in a manner allowing the press wheel to move vertically relative to the closing wheels. Adjustable down-force systems are provided to vary the down force applied to the closing wheels and the press wheel to maintain optimum soil contact in irregular terrain and in varying soil densities and conditions to provide optimum soil coverage and compaction of the seed bed. Full Article
urr Soil deflector wing for furrow opener with replaceable winged tip body By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A paired row opener has a furrowing tip arranged to be selectively supported on a body of the opener. The furrowing tip includes a knife portion and a pair of wing portions extending rearwardly and outwardly therefrom where are separable together from the opener body. A pair of deflector wings are integrally formed on the opener body above inner edges of the respective wing portions which are abutted with the opener body so as to deflect disturbed soil away from a seam between the inner edge of the wing portions and the opener body. An insulated mounting block is fastened onto a rear bracket of the opener body which receives an anhydrous ammonia delivery tube therethrough so permit optional delivery of anhydrous ammonia at a location which is insulated and spaced rearwardly from the opener body. Full Article
urr Structures for improving current carrying capability of interconnects and methods of fabricating the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Interconnect structures and methods of fabricating the same are provided. The interconnect structures provide highly reliable copper interconnect structures for improving current carrying capabilities (e.g., current spreading). The structure includes an under bump metallurgy formed in a trench. The under bump metallurgy includes at least: an adhesion layer; a plated barrier layer; and a plated conductive metal layer provided between the adhesion layer and the plated barrier layer. The structure further includes a solder bump formed on the under bump metallurgy. Full Article
urr Methods and apparatus for applying periodic voltage using direct current By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods and apparatus for applying pulsed DC power to a plasma processing chamber are disclosed. In some implementations, frequency of the applied power is varied to achieve desired processing effects such as deposition rate, arc rate, and film characteristics. In addition, a method and apparatus are disclosed that utilize a relatively high potential during a reverse-potential portion of a particular cycle to mitigate possible nodule formation on the target. The relative durations of the reverse-potential portion, a sputtering portion, and a recovery portion of the cycle are adjustable to effectuate desired processing effects. Full Article
urr Image sensors having variable voltage-current characteristics and methods of operating the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 25 Aug 2015 08:00:00 EDT Image sensors and methods of operating the same. An image sensor includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels. Each of the plurality of pixels includes a photo sensor, the voltage-current characteristics of which vary according to energy of incident light, and that generates a sense current determined by the energy of the incident light; a reset unit that is activated to generate a reference current, according to a reset signal for resetting at least one of the plurality of pixels; and a conversion unit that converts the sense current and the reference current into a sense voltage and a reference voltage, respectively. Full Article
urr Circuit breaker with parallel rated current paths By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A circuit breaker is provided which can be filled with a quenching gas and which has two contact arrangements, which can be moved relative to one another and along a longitudinal axis of the circuit breaker. The contact arrangements form a arcing contact system and a rated current contact system connected electrically in parallel with it. One of the contact arrangements includes inner rated current contacts and outer rated current contacts of the rated current contact system, where the inner rated current contacts overhang the outer rated current contacts in the direction of the longitudinal axis, and the outer rated current contacts coaxially surround the inner rated current contacts. The circuit breaker has a high current carrying capability as well as a reliable switching-on and -off behavior, such as during and after the occurrence of a short-circuit current in the circuit breaker. Full Article
urr Electric current switching apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST To provide an electric current switching apparatus having a fixed-side electrode unit and a movable-side electrode unit that are arranged to align central axes thereof with each other and to face each other, in which a movable contact provided in the movable-side electrode unit reciprocates on the central axis to contact or separate from a fixed-side contact provided in the fixed-side electrode unit, thereby switching electric current flowing through these electrode units, the electric current switching apparatus including a plurality of permanent magnets that are provided in at least one of the fixed-side electrode unit and the movable-side electrode unit, that have bodies arranged on the central axis to align magnetizing directions thereof with the central axis, and that are arranged to cause same poles of adjacent ones of the permanent magnets to face each other as if butting with each other. Full Article
urr High current vacuum interrupter with sectional electrode and multi heat pipes By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electrode assembly for a circuit breaker is provided. The electrode assembly includes a conductive assembly and a heat transfer assembly. The conductive assembly includes a stem portion and a contact portion. The heat transfer assembly includes a number of elongated bodies, a first heat transfer surface, and a second heat transfer surface. The first heat transfer surface is disposed on the conductive assembly. Each heat transfer assembly body includes a second heat transfer surface. Each heat transfer assembly body is coupled to the conductive assembly with the first heat transfer surface coupled to a number of second heat transfer surfaces. Full Article
urr System and method for tactile currency identification By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 08:00:00 EDT A tactile orientation indicator is positioned along the periphery of a bill, and a tactile denomination indicator is positioned elsewhere along the periphery of the bill. The user of the bill may then use their tactile senses to feel along the edges of the bill to orient the bill to a pre-determined orientation based on the location of the orientation indicator. The user then feels along the periphery of the bill to locate the denomination indicator. Using a predetermined system associating the location of the denomination indicator with a particular bill denomination, the user may then identify the denomination of the bill even if blind or otherwise visually impaired. Full Article
urr Method and circuit arrangement for controlling current in motors By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and circuit arrangement for controlling the motor current in an electric motor, in particular a stepper motor, by a chopper method is provided. In the method/circuit arrangement, the motor is operated with a coil current that follows a target coil current substantially more accurately at least at the zero crossing of the coil current. The method/circuit arrangement provides a good symmetry of the sinusoidal wave shape of the coil current with respect to the zero crossing of the coil current. The method is achieved in particular by the active control of the coil current both in the direction of a predefined target coil current and opposite the direction of the predefined target coil current with respect to upper or lower desired current values and a lowering or increasing of the upper or lower desired current values. Full Article
urr Operational transconductance amplifier with increased current sinking capability By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An amplifier circuit includes an input terminal and an output terminal. A current sinking transistor includes a first conduction terminal coupled to the output terminal and a second conduction terminal coupled to a reference supply node. A voltage sensing circuit has a first input coupled to the input terminal and a second input coupled to the output terminal. An output of the voltage sensing circuit is coupled to the control terminal of the current sinking transistor. The voltage sensing circuit functions to sense a rise in the voltage at the output terminal which exceeds the voltage at the input terminal, and respond thereto by activating the current sinking transistor. Full Article
urr System and method for pre-charging a current mirror By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system for pre-charging a current minor includes a controller configured to provide a first current and an additional current to a current minor to rapidly charge a capacitance associated with the current minor based on a reference voltage or control signals. A power amplifier module includes at least one current minor and a controller. A capacitor is coupled to the current minor. The controller provides a bias current in an amount proportional to an input to a voltage-to-current converter. The controller receives a control signal that directs the controller to apply one of a pre-charge voltage and a nominal voltage to the voltage-to-current converter. Full Article
urr Thermally coupled current limiter By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT This disclosure relates generally to radio frequency (RF) amplification devices and methods of limiting an RF signal current. Embodiments of the RF amplification device include an RF amplification circuit and a feedback circuit. The RF amplification circuit is configured to amplify an RF input signal so as to generate an amplified RF signal that provides an RF signal current with a current magnitude. The feedback circuit is used to limit the RF signal current. In particular, a thermal sense element in the feedback circuit is configured to generate a sense current, and thermal conduction from the RF amplification circuit sets a sense current level of the sense current as being indicative of the current magnitude of the RF signal current. To limit the RF signal current, the feedback circuit decreases the current magnitude of the RF signal current in response to the sense current level reaching a trigger current level. Full Article
urr Using synchronous converter in asynchronous mode to prevent current reversal during battery charging By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Efficiency of a switch mode power supply (SMPS) is optimized by operating the SMPS in an asynchronous mode when current being supplied therefrom is less than a certain current value and operating the SMPS in a synchronous mode when the current being supplied therefrom is equal to or greater than the certain current value. When the SMPS is operating in the synchronous mode high-side and low-side power transistors alternately turn on and off. When the SMPS is operating in the asynchronous mode only the high-side power transistor turns on and off and the low-side power transistor remains off. When charging a battery with the SMPS discharge of the battery is eliminated when operating in the asynchronous mode at a low current output. Full Article
urr Voltage-to-current sensing circuit and related DC-DC converter By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure is directed to a voltage-to-current sensing circuit having a bias terminal configured to receive a reference voltage, an offset terminal configured to receive an offset current, and an operational amplifier configured to output a low voltage signal. The device includes a first amplifier having first and second high voltage inputs configured to receive a first voltage difference across a sense component on a high voltage line and to generate a first current, a second amplifier having first and second low voltage inputs configured to receive a second voltage difference between the bias terminal and the offset terminal and to generate a second current, a summing circuit configured to provide an intermediate voltage corresponding to a sum of the first and the second currents, and a low-voltage transistor coupled to an output of the amplifier and controlled by the intermediate voltage to generate the output current. Full Article
urr System for eliminating current surges in electronic systems and equipment having intermittent current consumption By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a system for eliminating current surges that includes a first voltage regulator (7) having a current limit programmable to a value (I(limit)) that depends on the value of the intermittent current surges (IO(surge)) required by the intermittent load (3) and the relationship thereof to the work cycle, a second voltage regulator (9), a condenser (4) connected between the first and second regulators (7, 9), that loads when the current is no longer required and that unloads when there is a need for output current to provide current to the second regulator (9) which absorbs the changes in voltage produced by the loading/unloading of the condenser and provides a constant voltage for any value of the required output current surge, independently of voltage changes in the condenser (4), and a control loop between a sensor for the output current provided to the load and an input limit (15) for the input current (II) in the first regulator (7). Thus, the input current (I(limit)) (1) and the output voltage (VLoad) are constant for any value of the output current surge (IO(surge)). Full Article
urr Voltage regulator with current limiter By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A voltage regulator includes an amplifier having a first input coupled to a first reference voltage and a second input coupled to a voltage feedback signal; a multiplexer having a first input coupled to an output of the amplifier, a second input coupled to a voltage clamp signal, and a control input; and a control circuit having a first input coupled to an over current indicator, a second input coupled to a no over voltage indicator, a third input coupled to a timer signal, and an output coupled to the control input of the multiplexer. Full Article
urr Current mirror circuits in different integrated circuits sharing the same current source By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A current mirror circuit, receiving an input current and outputting a plurality of mirroring currents, comprising: a first transistor, wherein a control terminal and a first terminal of the first transistor are connected to a first mirroring current of the input current; at least one second transistor, wherein a control terminal and a first terminal of the at least one second transistor are connected to the at least one second mirroring current of the input current; and a plurality of third transistors, outputting the plurality of mirroring currents from first terminals of the plurality of third transistors, wherein control terminals of the plurality of third transistors are connected to control terminals of the first transistor and the at least one second transistor. The first transistor, the at least one second transistor and the plurality of third transistors are identical. Full Article
urr Polycrystalline silicon ingot casting mold and method for producing same, and silicon nitride powder for mold release material for polycrystalline silicon ingot casting mold and slurry containing same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided are a polycrystalline silicon ingot casting mold and a method for producing a polycrystalline silicon ingot casting mold, with which high-quality silicon ingots can be obtained at high yields by minimizing sticking with the surfaces of the silicon ingot casting mold, and losses and damages that occur when solidified silicon ingot is released from the mold. The method for producing a polycrystalline silicon ingot casting mold having a release layer, including: forming a slurry by mixing a silicon nitride powder with water, coating the surface of the mold with the slurry, and heating the mold at 400 to 800° C. in an atmosphere containing oxygen, after coating the slurry. Full Article
urr Polycrystalline silicon ingot casting mold and method for producing same, and silicon nitride powder for mold release material for polycrystalline silicon ingot casting mold and slurry containing same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A polycrystalline silicon ingot casting mold, and method for producing same. Mold release material being obtained by blending a silicon nitride powder (A) having an average particle diameter along the short axis of 0.6 to 13 μm with a silicon nitride powder (B) having an average particle diameter along the short axis of 0.1 to 0.3 μm at a weight ratio of 5:5 to 9:1; coating the mold surface with the slurry; and a heating the mold at 800 to 1200° C. in an atmosphere containing oxygen. Full Article
urr Apparatus and system for imaging currency bills and financial documents and method for using the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST An input receptacle receives currency bills and checks. A transport mechanism transports the bills and checks along a transport path to an output receptacle. An image scanner, adjacent the transport path, is configured to generate one or more electrical signals from which image data can be derived. The image data is reproducible as a visually readable image of at least a portion of each of the plurality of documents. A controller is configured to determine a denomination of each of the currency bills. In response to the controller not determining a denomination of one of the currency bills, the controller flags the currency bill as a no-call document by causing at least a portion of the image data to be displayed as a visually readable image of the flagged currency bill on the display. Full Article