40th week of 2009 patent applcation highlights part 24 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20090243537 | MOBILE CHARGER RECEPTACLE CONFIGURED WITH UNIVERSAL SERIAL BUS (USB), CIGARETTE LIGHTER ADAPTER (CLA) PLUG AND CONTROL FIRMWARE - The present invention is A mobile charger receptacle configured with universal serial bus (USB), cigarette lighter adapter (CLA) plug and control firmware, comprises a housing, a cigarette lighter adapter plug disposed on the one side of the housing, and a USB plug allocated on the other side of the housing, and the USB plug and the CLA plug were electrically connected with a control firmware disposed inside the housing. The control firmware provides a better solution adapted to charge any kinds of mobile phone. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243538 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BATTERY PREHEATING - Some embodiments include a system, that includes an electric motor coupled to propel an electrical vehicle, a battery coupled to power the motor, a preheating system coupled to preheat the battery, a battery temperature comparator to compare a temperature of the battery to a target preheated temperature and to provide a battery below temperature signal when the battery temperature is below a specified temperature, a control circuit to determine the time remaining prior to a scheduled drive start time and to provide a preheating enable signal during a target time interval prior to the scheduled drive start time and a further control circuit to operate the preheating system in response to the battery below temperature signal and the preheating enable signal. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243539 | RANDOM NUMBER GENERATOR IN A BATTERY PACK - Apparatus, method and computer program product are provided for battery management. In one implementation, a method of communication provided. The method includes enabling determining when a battery pack is coupled to a device, the battery pack including a battery management system. The method also includes generating a random number at the battery management system, the battery management system including battery monitoring circuitry, a processor, memory and a random number generator. The method includes using the random number to provide authentication and if authentication succeeds, enabling communication between the battery pack and the device. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243540 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR BATTERY CHARGING MANAGEMENT - A method for managing the charging of a battery array | 2009-10-01 |
20090243541 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RECHARGING BATTERY OF MOBILE STATION USING ELECTROMAGNETIC RESONANT WAVE - A method and apparatus for recharging a battery of a mobile station are provided which can re-receive a signal emitted from an electromagnetic resonant circuit and automatically recharge the battery having the smallest remaining amount sequentially when a quantity of electric charges remaining in the battery is equal to or less than a reference value while the mobile station is utilizing a mobile communication service. The method includes the steps of: radiating the signal emitted from the electromagnetic resonant circuit; re-receiving the signal emitted from the electromagnetic resonant circuit; activating a conversion of power of the re-received signal; and charging the battery on the basis of a signal obtained by rectifying the re-received signal in accordance with the conversion of power. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243542 | INTEGRATED POWER ADAPTER FOR A LAPTOP - A power pack arrangement for a laptop computer, wherein an AC/DC adapter is integrated with a battery pack to form one cohesive unit freely insertable into and removable from a laptop computer housing. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243543 | CHARGE AND DISCHARGE CONTROL CIRCUIT AND BATTERY DEVICE - Provided is a charge and discharge control circuit capable of further preventing poor charge of a battery, and a battery device. Cell balance periods are detected before charge of respective batteries is stopped even when an overcharge detection voltage of a certain charge and discharge control circuit becomes lower than a cell balance period detection voltage thereof due to process variations occurring in mass production of the charge and discharge control circuits. That is, the charge of the respective batteries is stopped after cell balance control. Therefore, the respective batteries can be further prevented from being poorly charged. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243544 | PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT FOR A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND ITS SMART BATTERY AND THE PROTECTIVE METHOD THEREOF - A protective circuit for preventing a smart battery from being damaged is provided. The protective circuit includes a memory unit, disposed in the smart battery, for storing a preset value; a discharging unit disposed in a portable electronic device and coupled to the smart battery; and a control unit, coupled with the memory unit and the discharging unit, disposed in the portable electronic device. When the portable electronic device is connected to an external power supply, the control unit counts and updates the state of the preset value every preset time, and when the preset value reaches a specific value, the control unit controls the discharging unit to discharge the smart battery through the discharging unit. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243545 | Battery pack - A battery pack includes a status detection unit for detecting a status of a battery; a switch unit for interrupting a discharging path of the battery; a notification unit for notifying a user of the status of the battery; an operation unit operable by the user; and control unit for opening and closing the switch unit. The control unit is configured to have the switch unit interrupt the discharging path of the battery when the status of the battery detected by the status detection unit is abnormal. Further, the control unit is configured to have the notification unit notify the user of the availability to restart a discharging operation and close the switch unit in response to an operation signal inputted from the operation unit to make the battery pack dischargeable when the status of the battery detected by the status detection unit is recovered from the abnormal status. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243546 | CHARGE AND DISCHARGE CONTROL CIRCUIT AND BATTERY DEVICE - Provided are a charge and discharge control circuit capable of reducing a circuit size, and a battery device. In a charger reverse connection detection circuit ( | 2009-10-01 |
20090243547 | Battery Charging Apparatus and Method - A battery charger that includes a primary switching-mode power supply, a secondary switching-mode power supply and a capacitor that is electrically connected to these two power supplies. In operation, this battery charger may be used to reverse the sulfation process in a battery. Also, a battery charging method that may be used to reverse the sulfation process in a battery. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243548 | Method For Detecting Cell State-Of-Charge and State-Of-Discharge Divergence Of A Series String of Batteries Or Capacitors - A system for charging a battery includes a battery pack having at least two lithium ion cells. A controller detects a rate of change of voltage with respect to a state of charge (dV/dSOC) of the battery pack based on a calculated dV/dSOC that represents the battery pack as a whole, without calculating dV/dSOC individually on a cell-by-cell basis. Charging is terminated when dV/dSOC reaches a predetermined value. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243549 | INTELLIGENT BATTERY CHARGING RATE MANAGEMENT - A method and system for intelligent battery charging rate management. Some embodiments of a method include determining a time period available for charging a rechargeable battery from an initial charge state to a final charge state. A second time period is determined, the second time period being an amount of time required to charge the battery from the initial charge state to the final charge state using a first charging process, with the first charging process including a first current value. If the first time period is greater than the second time period, then a reduced second current value is determined that is sufficient to charge the battery to the final charge state, and the battery is charged with a current of the second current value. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243550 | BATTERY CHARGER AND BATTERY CHARGING METHOD - A rectification processor includes rectifier elements that control charge to batteries independently for each of the batteries. A charge-state detector detects charge states of the batteries from their voltages, and determines whether to select the batteries for charging in a half-cycle determined beforehand in accordance with the detected result. A synchronous signal detector detects a signal synchronized with the phase of the 3-phase alternate current (AC) generator from the 3-phase AC generator, and outputs a synchronous signal. A charge controller controls the charge in the rectification processor in synchronization with the 3-phase AC generator according to the synchronous signal from the synchronous signal detector, and, in accordance with the charge states of the batteries output from the charge-state detector, controls charge amounts to the battery/batteries that was determined for selection. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243551 | Charger control circuit and charger control method - The present invention discloses a charger control circuit and a charger control method for controlling a charger having a transformer, the transformer including a primary winding and a secondary winding. The charger control circuit comprises: a power switch coupled to the primary winding; a switch control circuit controlling the operation of the power switch; and a detection circuit which generates a signal according to a voltage at a node between the power switch and the primary winding, and supplies the signal to the switch control circuit. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243552 | MANAGEMENT OF FAST BATTERY CHARGING IN MOBILE DEVICES - For laptops or other mobile devices, a battery charging arrangement wherein fast-charging and/or slow-charging is governed by something other than a fixed, immovable battery level threshold. Particularly, a variable threshold is broadly contemplated herein which may be governed by any of a very wide variety of conceivable factors, including (but by no means limited to) information relating to a user's schedule or calendar, especially as regards “free” time when a user is not using a computer. Accordingly, if there is a long uninterrupted period of computer “downtime” (i.e., when a user is not using the computer), the battery level threshold below which fast-charging takes place can be lower. By the same token, for short periods of computer downtime, this threshold can be higher. In this manner, fast-charging is reserved only for the most compelling, time-based circumstances. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243553 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR POWER AND CHARGING CONTROL IN A BLUETOOTH HEADSET - Methods and systems for power and charging control in a Bluetooth headset are disclosed and may include measuring a load current during charging of batteries in a mobile device. A completion time of the charging may be predicted. The charging may be terminated based on a sum of the load current and a known charge complete threshold current of the batteries, which may include lithium batteries. A current or voltage source may be controlled for the charging. A current from the current source may be compared to the sum via a current comparator. A rate of charging may be controlled for charging to a desired end voltage based on the predicted completion time. A user preference based on the predicted completion time may be stored, where the user preference may be utilized to control one or more subsequent charges. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243554 | Method of protecting battery for hybrid vehicle - The present invention provides a method of protecting a battery for a hybrid vehicle, in which a counter electromotive voltage of a motor is limited by limiting engine RPM if it is determined that there is a risk of battery overcharge in the event of a failure of a component related to motor control, such as a motor controller, a battery controller, etc., thus protecting the battery from the risk of overcharge and securing safety of the battery. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243555 | REMAINING BATTERY CAPACITY DISPLAY METHOD AND REMAINING BATTERY CAPACITY DISPLAY UNIT - A method of displaying a remaining battery capacity of a battery pack including battery cells, includes: monitoring at least voltage of the battery cells; outputting voltage information on the voltage; determining whether or not the battery pack is fully charged; when it is determined that the battery pack is fully charged, defining a lowest-voltage battery cell among the battery cells; estimating a charging rate of the lowest-voltage battery cell at a time when the battery pack is fully charged based on a charging rate map and the voltage information; calculating a correction coefficient for making a correction so that the estimated charging rate becomes a maximum value of the remaining battery capacity at a time when the remaining battery capacity is displayed; calculating a charging rate to be displayed, based on a charging rate at the time when the remaining battery capacity is displayed and the correction coefficient; and displaying the calculated charging rate on a display. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243556 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING THE STATE OF CHARGE OF A BATTERY - A process for monitoring the status of a battery. Steps of the process include measuring a battery current and comparing the battery current to a predetermined threshold. A battery status is determined as one of charging, discharging and quiescent. For a battery charging status determination, the charging state of charge of the battery is computed. For battery discharge status determination, the discharge current is compared to a predetermined threshold. Based upon the discharge current comparison, a basis for the discharge current is selected from one of a plurality of predetermined discharge conditions and the discharging state of charge of the battery is computed for the select discharge condition. For a quiescent status, the quiescent state of charge of the battery is computed. The computed state of charge of the battery is provided in a quantitative form. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243557 | Phase Synchronization Circuit - A phase synchronization circuit comprising: a charging/discharging-circuit to charge/discharge a capacitor in accordance with a drive-signal, charging and/or discharging current-values of the capacitor being settable; an oscillation-circuit to output an oscillation-signal having a frequency corresponding to a charging-voltage; a drive-circuit to output as the drive-signal a first drive-signal for matching charging and discharging periods when a phase-difference and the oscillation-signal is smaller than a predetermined phase-difference and reducing the phase-difference when the phase-difference is greater than the predetermined phase-difference; and a setting-circuit to receive setting-data for setting the charging and/or discharging current-values, hold the setting-data, and set the charging and/or discharging current-values, based on the setting-data, the drive-circuit outputting as the drive-signal a second drive-signal for matching charging and discharging periods, when receiving an adjustment-instruction-signal, the setting-circuit holding the setting-data for rendering at a constant level the charging-voltage of the capacitor charged/discharged in accordance with the second drive-signal. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243558 | ELECTRONIC BALLAST WITH HOLD-UP ENERGY STORAGE - An electronic ballast is provided, which includes an energy hold-up circuit that maintains operation of an AC discharge load, such as a gas discharge lamp, during at least a portion of a utility source outage. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243559 | UNIVERSAL, FAIL-SAFE, COMMON CONTROL OF MULTIPLE ALTERNATORS ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED IN TANDEM PARALLEL FOR PRODUCING HIGH CURRENT - Two or more alternators—each typically of an economical cost and of any mixture of types and capacities—are turned by a single power source—normally the engine of a large commercial truck or bus burning fuel so as to produce minimum emissions and thus operating at such higher combustion temperature as does raises the ambient temperature of the engine compartment to 125° Celsius. The several alternators are electrically connected in tandem-parallel across a battery/load. A corresponding number of identical electronic voltage regulators, preferably of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,723,972 modified according to the present invention, respectively individually control the alternators. One electronic voltage regulators externally programmed to become a designated “master” produces a “universal” control signal in response to variations in a voltage across the battery/load. This “universal” control signal is used (1) in the “master” electronic voltage regulator itself to provide regulation to an associated alternator, and is wired to all other voltage regulators externally programmed as “followers” to (2) produce in each of these voltage regulators produces a signal for the regulation control of its associated alternator not by reference to the battery/load voltage (as would be normal), but rather by reference to the “universal” control signal. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243560 | Pulse-position-modulated vehicular alternator voltage regulator with dual AC-feedback networks, controlled "OFF" period and low inserted electrical noise - A Frequency-On-Demand type voltage regulator firstly has its power output circuit configured as a resettable monostable multivibrator that provides (1) a stable time-base that serves as an internal “OFF”-period reference; preferably also with (2) short-circuit protection to the output power transistor; and (3) a pulse train with sharply defined “ON” and “OFF” transitions as the result of the interaction between the Output and Input Stages of the Power Output Circuit through a first AC Feedback Network. The “ON” and “OFF” transitions are preferably rounded-off. Secondly, yet another, second, AC feedback network is added between the Output Stage of the Power Output Circuit and the Error-Detector/Voltage Divider Stage of the Frequency-On-Demand type voltage regulator. This second feedback network provides (1) a controlled “OFF”-period synchronized with the Output Stage signal; (2) protection against loss of a reference voltage; (3) a dead band” associated with the “ON” and “OFF” periods that confers exceptional tolerance to system electrical noise; and (4) a voltage compensation feature with “flat”, “drooping” or “rising” system voltage output characteristic versus system loading. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243561 | METHOD OF POWER FACTOR CORRECTION - A method of power factor correction without using current sensing or a multiplier is disclosed. A generated predictive pulse is used to charge and discharge a PFC inductor in such a way that the current in the PFC inductor has a similar phase angle as the input AC voltage. Each ON portion of the pulse is used for charging while each OFF portion is used for discharging. As the input voltage increases in phase, the predictive pulse gradually increases in ON time duty and the PFC inductor is charged in increasing amount and discharged in decreasing amount per pulse. When peak is reached the duty ratio is reduced each pulse and the PFC inductor current is reduced along with the input AC voltage source until phase angle reaches 180 degrees and the ON time becomes zero. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243562 | Bias Voltage Converter - A method of generating a bias voltage in a circuit, the circuit including an inductor element including a first inductor node and a second inductor node, the inductor element to output an inductor current, a first capacitor associated with the second inductor node, a diode provided between the first capacitor and the first inductor node, a second capacitor being associated with ground and the second inductor node, a trigger resistor, the trigger resistor including a first trigger node associated with a resistor—capacitor network and a second trigger node associated with the second capacitor node, a trigger node configured between the first capacitor and the second capacitor node, a resistor—capacitor network associated with the trigger, and a switch associated with the resistor—capacitor network and the second inductor node. The method includes charging the first capacitor and the trigger capacitor when the first inductor node is at 0V and the second inductor node is at an input voltage. The switch is opened so that the inductor current continues to flow to output while the inductor current and trigger current stop charging. The switch is closed upon receiving a negative voltage step at the trigger node. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243563 | POWER SUPPLY CIRCUIT AND TEST APPARATUS - Provided is a power supply circuit that supplies power to a load, including a power supply section that outputs a power supply current, a driver section that receives the power supply current from the power supply section and supplies the load with a load current that is consumed by the load, a capacitor section that is charged by the power supply section and that supplies the driver section with an auxiliary current when the load current is greater than the power supply current, and a transmission path that transmits the power supply current output by the power supply section to the driver section, wherein the capacitor section is disposed between the transmission path and a reference potential. The capacitor section is disposed between a transmission path and a reference potential. Also provided is a test apparatus including the power supply circuit. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243564 | ELECTRIC CURRENT MONITORING DEVICE - An electric current monitoring device is provided to be used in conjunction with a measuring instrument that converts a physical quantity measured thereby to a signal current and outputs the signal current to a two-wire transmission line. The electric current monitoring device includes an electric current detector inserted in the transmission line for measuring an electric current value of the signal current outputted to the transmission line, and a supply voltage generator inserted in the transmission line for outputting a voltage generated due to the flow of the signal current. The electric current detector is driven by the voltage outputted from the supply voltage generator. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243565 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING END OF START UP PHASE - A PSE configured to determine the end of the start up phase at the PD responsive to a condition of the voltage at the PSE output. In one particular embodiment, the startup phase end is determined responsive to a PSE output voltage within a predetermined range of the PSE input voltage. In another particular embodiment, the startup phase end is determined responsive to the voltage drop associated with the PSE current limiter being lower than a predetermined maximum. In yet another particular embodiment, the startup phase end is determined responsive to the absolute value of the rate of change of the PSE output voltage being lower than a predetermined value. In yet another particular embodiment, the startup phase end is determined responsive to the absolute value of the rate of change of the voltage drop associated with the PSE current limiter being lower than a predetermined value. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243566 | Converter Arrangement and Method for Preparing a Converted Signal - A converter arrangement includes a converter device ( | 2009-10-01 |
20090243567 | VOLTAGE CONTROL CIRCUIT - Provided is a voltage control circuit which suppresses a calorific value that generates when short-circuit fault occurs even if a voltage value of an input voltage is large. At the time of short-circuit fault, an additional control voltage Va whose voltage value becomes larger when the voltage value of the input voltage Vin is larger is input to the voltage control p-channel MOS transistor ( | 2009-10-01 |
20090243568 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SYNCHRONOUS BOOST VOLTAGE REGULATORS WITH ACTIVE NEGATIVE CURRENT MODULATION - A switch-mode synchronous boost voltage regulator is disclosed that includes a boost voltage regulator and an active current modulator. The active current modulator detects a negative current flowing through the high-side switch during a light load condition. When the negative current is detected, the active current modulator is operable to maintain the high-side switch “on” in a linear mode and to limit the negative current to a predetermined current level. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243569 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SYNCHRONOUS BUCK WITH ACTIVE NEGATIVE CURRENT MODULATION - A circuit is disclosed that includes a buck voltage regulator electrically coupled to an active current modulator. The active current modulator is operable to detect a negative current in the low-side switch of the buck voltage regulator circuit during a light mode operation. Whenever the negative current is detected, the active negative current modulator causes the low-side switch to stay ON in a linear mode and limits the negative current to a predetermined current level. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243570 | 5 VOLT TOLERANT VOLTAGE REGULATOR - A voltage regulator circuit comprises an error amplifier for generating an error signal responsive to a reference voltage in a feedback signal. A feedback circuit provides the feedback voltage signal to the error amplifier and a driver circuit provides regulated output voltage responsive to the input voltage in the error signal. Short circuit protection circuitry selectively protects transistors within the error amplifier, the feedback amplifier and the driver circuit responsive to a short circuit protection enablement signal. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243571 | Built-In Self-Calibration (BISC) Technique for Regulation Circuits Used in Non-Volatile Memory - A reference voltage regulation circuit ( | 2009-10-01 |
20090243572 | Power Supply with Digital Control Loop - A switching regulator apparatus includes an inductor coupling an input node to a switching node. A first capacitor couples the switching node to a diode node. A first diode couples the diode node to a common node. A second diode couples the diode node to an output node. A second capacitor couples the output node to the common node. A switch couples the switching node to the common node, wherein the first capacitor transfers energy from the input node to the output node in accordance with the commutation of the switch. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243573 | COMPOUND POWER SUPPLY - A method of supply power to receive and provide a 10V input, 5V output with a continuous load of 1 A load current and a pulse load duration of 2 ms and a pulse load of 10 A load current, in a power supply including a switching regulator configured to provide a continuous current, the switching regulator comprising a current limit of 1.2 A and a linear regulator associated with the switching regulator. The method includes detecting whether a pulse load or a continuous load is required. The linear regulator is directed to provide a minimal current when the power supply is at a continuous load. The linear regulator is directed to provide a remaining portion of a pulse load current from the continuous load of the switching regulator. The switching regulator is deactivated and the linear regulator is directed to provide the continuous current in a condition that a noise-free mode is demanded. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243574 | INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE CONTROLLER - An internal combustion engine controller comprises a booster coil connected to a battery and a booster capacitor. A switch element is connected to the booster coil to control the passage of current through the booster coil and an interruption of the current. The booster capacitor accumulates electrical energy generated with an inductance of the booster coil at the time of the interruption of the passage of the current. A booster control circuit carries out control in a constant boost switching cycle so as to pass the current through the booster coil and the switch element until the current reaches a preset switching stop threshold value and then interrupt the current to charge the energy generated with the inductance of the booster coil into the booster capacitor. The booster control circuit is configured to ensure a minimum time period for the booster capacitor-charging of the energy within the boost switching cycle. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243575 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE AND POWER SUPPLY USING THE SAME - A semiconductor device for control applied to a constant-voltage power supply device includes a digital-analog converter circuit which outputs a reference voltage corresponding to a value of a first register with taking an output voltage of a reference voltage source as a criterial reference voltage, and generates a control signal for driving a power semiconductor device based on an output voltage of an error amplifier which differentially amplifies a feedback voltage obtained by resistive-dividing on an output voltage of the constant-voltage power supply device and the reference voltage. An analog-digital converter circuit which converts the feedback voltage to a digital value with taking the output voltage of the constant-voltage power supply device as a reference voltage is provided, and based on the output, a value of a first register is corrected so as to offset an effect of an error in voltage dividing ratio of a voltage dividing resistor circuit. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243576 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE, DETECTION CIRCUIT AND VOLTAGE CONTROL METHOD - A voltage control method includes producing an error signal based on a difference between a reference signal and an adaptor voltage and an adaptor current corresponding to the adaptor voltage, regulating, based on the error signal, the adaptor voltage, comparing a reference voltage to a voltage proportional to a potential corresponding to an identifying voltage corresponding to the adaptor voltage, detecting, based on the comparison result, whether or not a couplable external power source is suitable, and setting based, on the detection result, a potential corresponding to the identifying voltage. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243577 | REVERSE CURRENT REDUCTION TECHNIQUE FOR DCDC SYSTEMS - The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for switching devices that enables the prediction of when a reverse current condition will occur regardless of voltage-mode or current-mode switching regulator. According to the present invention, the reverse current reduction technique is realized by implementing a circuit which takes in the PWM signal, switching regulator's output signal and the Supply Voltage, before outputting a logic signal to indicate the start of reverse current flow; an OR gate, which outputs a logic signal to control the turning ON/OFF of the PMOS buffer at the output. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243578 | Power Supply with Digital Control Loop - One embodiment of a power supply apparatus includes a switching regulator generating an output voltage VOUT at an output node from an input voltage VIN at an input node in accordance with a pulse width modulated signal having a nominal frequency of f | 2009-10-01 |
20090243579 | DCDC CONVERTER WITH SOFT-STARTUP AND SOFT-TRANSITION FOR ADJUSTABLE OUTPUT VOLTAGE - A method and exemplary apparatus that incorporate soft-start circuit together with adjustable output voltage control are introduced. By implementing a gradual increment of voltage steps/fast decrement, it can totally eliminate overshoot and limit in-rush current significantly at the initial startup and output voltage transition that happens after startup. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243580 | METHOD OF FORMING A POWER SUPPLY CONTROLLER AND STRUCTURE THEREFOR - In one embodiment, a power supply controller is configured to select either an error signal or a variable reference signal to control an on-time of the switching output signal of the power supply controller. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243581 | ELECTRICAL OUTLET DEVICE - An electrical outlet device is provided, the device operable to produce a step-down voltage to an electrically powered system. The electrical outlet device can include a housing, a power inlet electrical plug that extends from the housing and at least one power outlet electrical socket that is connected in parallel to the power inlet electrical plug. A load is also included within the housing and connected in parallel to the at least one power outlet socket, the load providing a step-down voltage. Also included can be a pair of power outlet electrical contacts that extend from the load, the pair of electrical contacts being connected to the load and providing the step-down voltage to the electrically powered system. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243582 | PHASE-CUT DIMMING CIRCUIT - Methods, systems, and devices are described for sensing a phase-cut dimming signal and outputting a control signal compatible with a switching power circuit. Embodiments of the invention generate at least one of a low-frequency pulse-wave-modulated control signal, an analog output control signal, or a digital (e.g., higher-frequency pulse-wave-modulated) output control signal. Some embodiments further provide preloading and/or startup control functionality to allow proper functioning of the circuitry under small-conduction-angle (i.e., highly dimmed) conditions. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243583 | Compact line illuminator for locating buried pipes and cables - A compact line illuminator for applying an oscillating signal to buried or otherwise inaccessible pipes, cables and conductors so that their location can be traced by detecting an electromagnetic signal emitted by these buried objects. The illuminator includes a circuit for generating a signal suitable for tracing a buried conductor and a holder for a portable power source that can energize the circuit. First and second leads each have a first end connected to the circuit and a second end connected to a corresponding mechanism such as an alligator clip for attaching to a buried conductor. A case encloses the circuit and the portable power source holder and is configured for having the first and second leads wrapped around an exterior of the case. Mechanisms are provided for holding the leads wrapped around the exterior of the case. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243584 | Fabrication of microstructures integrated with nanopillars along with their applications as electrodes in sensors - This invention presents microstructures enhanced with nanopillars. The invention also provides a novel way for manufacturing nanopillar-enhanced microstructures, using conventional microfabrication techniques. In some embodiments, the invention also provides methods of use for the nanopillar-enhanced microstructures. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243585 | SYSTEMS FOR INSPECTION OF SHROUDS - A system to measure thickness of a shroud is provided. The system includes at least one resistive element embedded within the shroud. The system also includes an impedance measurement device that measures a total resistance associated with the at least one resistive element. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243586 | Apparatus for testing a protective meausring or metering device as a constituent part of a high or medium voltage installation, more specifically of a utility protective relay, of a generator protective device, of a current meter, and so on, in a high or medium voltage installation - The subject matter of the invention is an apparatus for testing a protective, measuring or metering device as a constituent part of a high or medium voltage installation, more specifically of a utility protective relay, of a generator protective device, of a current meter and so on in a high or medium voltage installation, a combined terminal and pole block ( | 2009-10-01 |
20090243587 | Method and apparatus for measuring AC voltages - A method and apparatus for providing AC voltage measurements. The apparatus comprises an AC voltage monitor for determining at least a first and a second voltage representing an AC voltage of an AC circuit, generating a serial data stream frame comprising data representing the at least a first and a second voltage, and transmitting the serial data stream frame. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243588 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - A device includes a measurement target circuit including a first circuit, a switch provided to a measurement node of the first circuit and a second circuit connected to the measurement node of the first circuit through the switch; and a current measuring circuit including a reference current source group connected to the measurement node through the switch and making a reference current of a predetermined value flow into the first circuit, a sample hold circuit connected to the measurement node, and sampling and holding the potential of the measurement node when the first circuit is connected to the second circuit by the switch, and a comparator connected to the measurement node and an output of the sample hold circuit and comparing an output of the sample hold circuit with the potential of the measurement node when the first circuit is connected to the reference current source group by the switch. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243589 | SURFACE-PLASMON DETECTOR BASED ON A FIELD-EFFECT TRANSISTOR - According to one embodiment, a surface-plasmon (SP) beam generated by an SP source and directed via an SP waveguide is applied to a gate node of a field-effect transistor (FET). The FET also has a source node and a drain node. In a representative configuration, the gate, source, and drain nodes are electrically biased to pass an electrical current between the source and drain nodes in a manner that makes the electrical current responsive to the intensity of the SP beam. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243590 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING CURRENT IN A CONDUCTOR - The present disclosure describes a system for measuring current amplitude in a conductor, comprising at least one Rogowski coil, an integration circuit directly connected to the at least one Rogowski coil, a microprocessor circuit in communication with the integration circuit and configured to receive output from the integration circuit and to calculate energy data comprising current amplitude in the conductor. A method for measuring current in a conductor is also presented. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243591 | POWER METER HAVING COMPLEX QUADRATURE OUTPUT CURRENT AND VOLTAGE FILTERS - A power meter having complex quadrature output current and voltage filters provides power measurements in high amplitude and frequency variation and/or high jitter environments without requiring high computational overhead. A pair of filters, one for voltage and one for current each have a response determined by complex non-conjugate poles. The response of the filters is such that only the positive or negative half plane of the complex frequency spectrum is passed and provide complex outputs representing the real and imaginary parts of both the current and voltage. At least one indication of a power delivered to a load is computed from the complex current and voltage outputs, which may be the real and/or reactive power. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243592 | MEASURING DEVICE WITH NEGATIVE-FEEDBACK DC VOLTAGE AMPLIFIER - A measuring device having a detector with at least one detector element and, connected downstream of the detector, a DC voltage amplifier with at least one input (and at least one output. The DC voltage amplifier provides at least one negative-feedback path, which extends from its at least one output to its at least one input, wherein at least one further detector element is disposed in the negative-feedback path. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243593 | Electrical metering device - An electrical metering device ( | 2009-10-01 |
20090243594 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CHARACTERIZATION OF A MAGNETIC FIELD APPLIED TO A MAGNETIC SENSOR - The present invention provides a magnetic sensor device comprising a plurality of magnetic sensor elements having a sensitive direction. At least one of the magnetic sensor elements ( | 2009-10-01 |
20090243595 | SENSOR MODULE WITH MOLD ENCAPSULATION FOR APPLYING A BIAS MAGNETIC FIELD - A method of manufacturing a sensor module includes providing a substrate comprising a magnetically sensitive sensor element. The sensor element and the substrate are encapsulated with at least one mold material that is configured to apply a bias magnetic field to the sensor element. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243596 | POSITION-MEASURING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ITS OPERATION - A position-measuring device includes a measuring standard, on which at least one graduation track is applied, and a support member. Disposed on the support member is at least one exciter winding through which an excitation current is able to be conducted in order to generate an electromagnetic field, as well as at least one detector system for scanning the electromagnetic field, The position-measuring device further includes a capacitor which, together with the exciter winding, forms an LC oscillating circuit, an evaluation element and a switching element that is switchable by the evaluation element. The measuring standard and the support member are disposed in a manner allowing movement relative to each other, and in response to a movement of the measuring standard relative to the support member, the electromagnetic field is able to be influenced by the at least one graduation track. The LC oscillating circuit is operable by switching the switching element with an excitation current which induces in the detector system at least one voltage that is able to be processed electronically by the evaluation element to ascertain position information. The excitation current is generated by switching the switching element with switch-on pulses that have an ON time period, and the at least one voltage induced in the detector system is measured in the area after the cut-off edge of the switch-on pulse for ascertaining the position information. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243597 | Methods and Apparatus for Security Device Portal Sensing - A security device, according to various aspects of the present invention, secures an area accessible through a portal (e.g., doorway, window opening, hatch, vent) against unreported ingress or egress (e.g., access). A security device monitors a portal or a portal cover (e.g., door, window, screen, flap) to provide reports of access; a warning of unauthorized access; authentication of authorized users; and status of the security device. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243598 | POSITION MEASUREMENT USING MAGNETIC FIELDS - A position sensing system includes a member movable along a path, the member having an elongated magnet extending along the path, the magnetic field orientation of the elongated magnet being at an angle with respect to the path. A sensor determines a position of the member along the path based on a measurement of a magnetic field generated by the elongated magnet. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243599 | MULTIPLE-ROTATION ABSOLUTE ENCODER - A multiple-rotation absolute encoder attached to an actuator provided with a motor and a reduction gear comprises a multiple-rotation value counter for counting a multiple-rotation value representing a number of rotations of a rotating shaft of the motor from a predetermined origin; a memory part for storing a reduction ratio R of the reduction gear; and a counter-controlling part for setting a range of the count value of the multiple-rotation value counter from zero rotations to (R−1) rotations on the basis of the reduction ratio R stored and maintained in the memory part, resetting the count value to zero when the rotating shaft makes a single rotation in a forward direction from a state in which the count value is (R−1), and setting the count value to (R−1) when the rotating shaft makes a single rotation in a reverse direction from a state in which the count value is zero. The rotation-angle position within a single rotation of the output shaft can be specified without the multiple-rotation value counter overflowing, even when the actuator rotates continuously in one direction. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243600 | ROTATION SENSOR UNIT - A rotation sensor unit includes an encoder, a holder radially positioning the encoder, and a rolling bearing having an inner race. The rolling bearing is fitted around the shaft so that one end of the inner diameter surface of the inner race protrudes from the end of the outer diameter surface of the shaft. The holder has a screwed portion fitted in the inner race, positioning the encoder coaxially with the shaft. The holder is non-magnetic, having a retaining portion in which the encoder is axially pressed. The encoder is a plastic magnet, with protrusions and recesses formed integrally on its outer diameter surface and biting the inner diameter surface of the retaining portion to prevent the encoder from rotating. With the holder screwed to the shaft, the encoder is disposed between the magnetism detection element and the one end of the shaft. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243601 | Inductive Proximity Switch - Embodiments of the invention relate to a proximity switch device, a system, and methods for operating and manufacturing a proximity switch device. According to an aspect, an inductive proximity switch device includes a plurality of inductive elements. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243602 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TESTING CHARACTERISTIC OF MAGNETIC HEAD - The method for testing a characteristic of a magnetic head is performed in the form of a wafer, especially in a heating state and a cooling state. The method for testing a characteristic of a magnetic head, in which a wafer including a dummy read-element having a size equal to that of a completed read-element, a product read-element and a heat conductive section being provided in the vicinity of the dummy read-element is tested as a test sample, comprises the steps of: applying an external magnetic field to the test sample; bringing a heat conducting member into contact with the heat conductive section so as to heat or cool the dummy read-element via the heat conductive section; and testing an electromagnetic conversion characteristic of the dummy read-element in a heating state or a cooling state. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243603 | Device for Measuring Magnetic Particles and Corresponding Method - The invention concerns a device for the qualitative or quantitative measurement of a magnetically labelled analyte. The device includes a coil arrangement for measuring the analyte from a sample absorbed in a test base. The coil arrangement includes at least one measuring coil and a reference coil arranged in connection with it. From the signal of the coil arrangement a change in inductance correlating to the content of the magnetically labelled analyte is arranged to be detected. The change in inductance is arranged to be detected from a change (ΔA, Δφ) in amplitude and/or phase appearing in the output signal of the coil arrangement, which is arranged to be measured at the frequency of the input signal. In addition, the invention also relates to a corresponding method. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243604 | Measurement of pipe wall thickness using magnetic flux leakage signals - An apparatus comprising a processor configured to implement a method comprising obtaining a pipe profile comprising a diameter, a nominal thickness, and a material, receiving a magnetic flux leakage (MFL) indication for a pipe associated with the pipe profile, and determining a wall thickness for the pipe using the pipe profile and the MFL indication. Also disclosed is a method comprising modeling an apparatus comprising a magnet configured to induce a magnetic field in a pipe, and determining a wall thickness measurement (WTM) for the pipe using a model of the apparatus and the pipe, a detected MFL signal, and a simulated MFL signal. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243605 | INTELLIGENT EDDY CURRENT ARRAY PROBE WITH EMBEDDED FIRING SEQUENCE MEMORY - An intelligent eddy current array probe comprising a plurality of coil elements and an embedded non-volatile memory element is disclosed. Prior to coupling the intelligent eddy current array probe to an NDI system, a data table describing a desired firing sequence for the array probe within a given inspection operation is created. This data table is then stored within the embedded non-volatile memory element of the intelligent eddy current array probe such that when the array probe is coupled to the NDI system, the elements of the NDI system can load and execute the stored firing sequence without operator intervention. In this way, a plurality of intelligent eddy current array probes, each with its own firing sequence, can be used interchangeably within a single NDI system without the need for mechanical adjustments to the NDI system. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243606 | Sensor Arrangement, Integrated Chip Component with the Sensor Arrangement, and Measurement Method - A sensor arrangement has a sensor array (SA) with a first, a second, and a third sensor focus (SSP | 2009-10-01 |
20090243607 | Magnetic Sensor Design for Suppression of Barkhausen Noise - A semiconductor process and apparatus provide a high-performance magnetic field sensor from two differential sensor configurations ( | 2009-10-01 |
20090243608 | MAGNETIC FIELD MEASUREMENT METHOD AND MAGNETIC SENSOR - The magnetic field measurement method has: a step of preparing a magnetic sensor which includes: a magneto-resistive effect element having a magnetization-free layer and a magnetization fixed layer, and having a longitudinal direction; and magnetic field application means, wherein the magnetization direction of the magnetization fixed layer is fixed in a direction which forms an angle equal to or less than 45 degrees to the longitudinal direction, and a magnetic field generated by the magnetic field application means forms an angle equal to or less than 45 degrees to the longitudinal direction; a step of saturating the magnetization of the magnetization-free layer by the magnetic field application means and magnetizing the magnetization-free layer in one direction in the longitudinal direction; and a step of measuring the strength of an external magnetic field by applying the external magnetic field to the magnetization-free layer in the other direction in the longitudinal direction. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243609 | MAGNETIC SENSOR ELEMENT AND MAGNETIC SENSOR USING THE SAME - The present invention provides a fluxgate magnetic sensor element which includes: a substrate; an exciting pattern which is disposed on the substrate to generate a magnetic field; a magnetic thin film pattern for detection which is disposed adjacent to the exciting pattern; and a detection coil pattern which is disposed adjacent to the magnetic thin film pattern for detection. In the magnetic sensor element, the exciting pattern, the magnetic thin film pattern for detection, and the detection coil pattern are formed on the substrate. Therefore, the magnetic sensor element can be formed into a flat shape. Moreover, since the length of the generated magnetic field is short in a long-axis direction, the size and thickness of the element itself can be reduced. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243610 | ATOMIC MAGNETOMETER AND MAGNETIC FORCE MEASURING METHOD - An atomic magnetometer includes a cell containing an atomic group, a pump light source, a probe light source, a mirror, and a detector. The cell is disposed between the pump light source and the mirror and between the probe light source and the detector. A pump beam emitted from the pump light source is circularly polarized light. The pump beam passes through the cell and is reflected by the mirror and then passes through the cell again. The probe beam emitted from the probe light source is linearly polarized light. An optical path of the probe beam is parallel to a plane of incidence of the pump beam and is also parallel to a surface of the mirror. The optical path of the probe beam crosses an optical path of the pump beam in the cell. The probe beam which has passed through the cell enters the detector. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243611 | RADIO FREQUENCY COIL WITH TRANSMISSION LINE END-RINGS - A radio frequency coil for transmitting or receiving signals at a magnetic resonance frequency includes an arrangement of substantially parallel rungs ( | 2009-10-01 |
20090243612 | VOLUME COIL FOR MRI SYSTEM - A volume coil for a magnetic resonance imaging system is composed of a number of coil units. In the coil, there are overlapped parts between two adjacent ones of the coil units for eliminating coupling between these two adjacent coil units. Two next-adjacent ones of the coil units, which are separated from each other by one coil unit, are each provided with an inductor, and these two inductors are coupled with each other for eliminating coupling between these two next-adjacent coil units. All coil units are collected on one axial end face of the coil. Two coil units in the coil that are neither adjacent coil units nor next-adjacent coil units are connected with each other on the end face by a capacitance circuit or a inductance circuit for eliminating the coupling between these two coil units that are neither adjacent coil units nor next-adjacent coil units. The coupling among the various coil units is relatively thoroughly eliminated, and the signal-to-noise ratio of the signal received by the coil is increased. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243613 | Method and Apparatus for Utilizing Time Division Multiple Waveform Transmitting - A method and apparatus of constructing a signal for a controlled source electromagnetic survey is described. In one embodiment, a method is described that includes determining a first waveform and a second waveform, the first waveform and second waveform related to a combined frequency spectrum and bandwidth associated with a geophysical survey line. Then, a signal is constructed by sequencing the first waveform with the second waveform. This signal may be utilized in a transmitter, which may be pulled by a vessel along the geophysical survey line. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243614 | SIGNAL GENERATOR FOR ELECTROMAGNETIC SURVEYING THAT PRODUCES A SIGNAL HAVING AN ANALOG CONTINUOUS WAVEFORM - To perform an electromagnetic (EM) surveying of a subterranean structure, a signal generator produces a signal having an analog continuous waveform without steps in the waveform. An antenna is responsive to the signal having the analog continuous waveform to emit an EM field to produce the EM surveying of the subterranean structure. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243615 | INDUCTIVE PROXIMITY SWITCH AND METHOD FOR ITS OPERATION - The invention relates to an inductive proximity switch which has a resonant circuit (L | 2009-10-01 |
20090243616 | MULTI-COMPONENT MARINE ELECTROMAGNETIC SIGNAL ACQUISITION METHOD - A method for determining a component of electric field response of the Earth's subsurface to a time-varying electromagnetic field induced in the Earth's subsurface is provided. The method includes measuring electric field response along a nonlinear pattern on at least one of the Earth's surface and the bottom of a body of water. The method includes measuring magnetic field response in three directions along the nonlinear pattern on at least one of the Earth's surface and the bottom of the body of water. The method further includes determining an electric field response in a direction normal to the measured electric field response using the electric field response and magnetic field response measurements. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243617 | Method for Electromagnetic Geophysical Surveying of Subsea Rock Formations - A method for electromagnetic geophysical surveying of rock formations ( | 2009-10-01 |
20090243618 | Method for Compensating Drill Pipe and Near-Borehole Effect on and Electronic Noise in Transient Resistivity Measurements - Transient measurements made at two spaced apart receivers responsive to separate activation of two transmitters symmetrically disposed about the two receivers. The transmitters and receivers are on an instrument having a conductive body induces currents in the earth formation. The effect of the conductive body is removed by using deconvolving the signal at one receiver using the measured signal at the other receiver. The symmetric transmitter configuration also enables compensation for receiver differences. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243619 | FOUR-TERMINAL ELECTRIC IMAGER FOR RESISTIVE MUDS WITH LOCALIZED CURRENT CONTROL - An apparatus for imaging a subsurface material traversed by a borehole, the apparatus including an imaging pad deployed by a logging instrument, the pad including a plurality of measuring sets, each measuring set including a first current injector electrode, a second current injector electrode, a pair of sensor electrodes disposed between the first current injector electrode and the second current injector electrode, and an output for coupling to an electronics unit adapted for producing the imaging of the subsurface material. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243620 | Method for testing circuit breakers - A method for testing low voltage power circuit breakers having an electronic trip unit which includes a display and a microprocessor for controlling various protective functions and storing settings for such functions which can be selected and performed. Entering into the test mode disables functions not necessary for the testing to be performed. A current is injected into one of the phases of the breaker. The technician observes whether the breaker performs within the specifications for the selected protective function. Upon exiting the test mode, the breaker is automatically restored to the settings prior to the testing. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243621 | Assembled Battery Total Voltage Detection Circuit - An assembled battery total voltage detection circuit includes a main control circuit, a divider resistor connected between a plus terminal and a minus terminal of an assembled battery insulated from the main control circuit, and a differential amplifier circuit that amplifies voltage divided by the divider resistor. A constant electric potential relative to a ground of the main control circuit is applied to a midpoint of the divider resistor. The main control circuit measures the voltage divided by the divider resistor via the differential amplifier circuit. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243622 | Battery Sensor Unit - A battery sensor unit including a pole terminal, the terminal being electrically conductively connected to a plate-shaped carrier element and a planar measuring shunt, the shunt including a resistor element and adjoining resistor connections on both sides thereof. The carrier element is connected in an electrically conducting manner to the one resistor connection, and the second free end region of the carrier element is connected electrically insulated to the second resistor. A spacer made of an electrically insulating material is provided. The second free end region of the carrier element and the second resistor connection with the sides facing each other are connected to the spacer. Said spacer can be connected with the second free end region of the carrier element and also with the second resistor connection. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243623 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING A POSITION OF A SINGLE PHASE FAULT TO GROUND IN A FEEDER LINE - A system and a method for determining a position of a single phase fault to ground in a feeder line are provided. The feeder line is electrically connected to an electrical substation via a substation bus. The system includes first and second sensors electrically coupled to a transformer in the electrical substation. The first sensor measures an amplitude and a phase angle of an electrical current being output by the transformer to the substation bus electrically connected to the feeder line. The second sensor measures an amplitude and a phase angle of a voltage being output by the transformer to the substation bus electrically connected to the feeder line. The system further includes a processor that determines a reactance value based on the amplitude of the electrical current, the amplitude of the voltage, a phase angle between the electrical current and the voltage, and a predetermined constant. The processor accesses a table having a plurality of position identifiers associated with positions on the feeder line, and a plurality of reactance component values corresponding to reactance components of Thevenin impedances at the positions on the feeder line relative to the substation bus. The processor selects a first reactance component value from the plurality of reactance component values in the table that substantially corresponds to the reactance value. The processor selects a first position identifier from the plurality of position identifiers that is associated with the first reactance component value. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243624 | SIGNAL MEASURING DEVICE - Small-scale measuring circuits ( | 2009-10-01 |
20090243625 | TEST STRUCTURE TO MONITOR THE RELEASE STEP IN A MICROMACHINING PROCESS - Electrical and visual test structures monitor the degree of removal of conductive sacrificial layers used in micromachining processes that fabricate micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS). | 2009-10-01 |
20090243626 | AMPLIFICATION APPARATUS AND AMPLIFIER FAILURE DETECTING METHOD - An amplification apparatus including a plurality of amplifiers includes a carrier amplifier, a peak amplifier including a gate bias circuit including a resistor for supplying a gate bias voltage, a comparator for outputting a resultant signal determined by comparison of a predetermined threshold voltage with a voltage across the resistor included within the gate bias circuit, and a failure detecting circuit for detecting whether a failure in the plurality of amplifiers is caused or not based on the resultant signal. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243627 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE AND OPERATION MONITORING METHOD FOR SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - A semiconductor device includes a monitor including a first element coupled between a first power supply line and a second power supply line, and a load for increasing a load value between the first element and the first power supply line or the second power supply line, and a determination unit which determines an operating state of the first element based on an output of the monitor. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243628 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ONLINE PHASE CALIBRATION - A system for online relative phase calibration is provided. The system includes at least one excitation source configured to generate multiple excitation signals. The system also includes at least two sensors coupled to respective ones of the at least one excitation source via a transmission line, wherein the two sensors are configured to receive respective ones of the excitation signals. The system further includes at least two phase detectors configured to receive at least two reflected signals from the two sensors via the transmission line, wherein each of the two phase detectors are configured to output a respective voltage representing a phase difference between respective ones of the reflected signals and respective ones of the excitation signals. The system also includes a switch coupled to the sensors and the phase detectors, the switch configured to switch the phase detectors between the sensors at a pre-determined switching interval. The system further includes a calibration module coupled to the phase detectors, wherein the calibration module is configured to receive and process the respective voltage from the at least two phase detectors to generate respective calibrated voltage signals, wherein the calibration module is further configured to and match the calibrated voltage signals of each of the phase detectors. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243629 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MINI MODULE EMI SHIELDING EVALUATION - A method for mini module EMI shielding effectiveness evaluation comprises providing a test vehicle including at least one test platform. The test platform includes at least one mini emitter, a mini receiver with a reference shield, and a mini receiver with a shield under test. EMI shielding effectiveness transmission signals are applied to the at least one mini emitter. Signals received by the mini receiver with a shield under test and the mini receiver with the reference shield are evaluated. The mini emitter, mini receiver with the reference shield, and mini receiver with the shield under test comprise components fabricated concurrently and under fabrication conditions used for fabrication of the test platform of the test vehicle. As used herein, a mini emitter and mini receiver may be interchanged according to the requirements of a given EMI shielding effectiveness evaluation. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243630 | METHOD TO QUICKLY ESTIMATE INDUCTANCE FOR TIMING MODELS - A method of estimating an inductance delay includes determining a resistance-capacitance (RC) delay with resistances and capacitances of a network and estimating an inductance delay of the network by determining a propagation delay of an electromagnetic (EM) field across wires of the network. Additionally, the method includes determining if the RC delay is below a specified threshold and adding the estimated inductance delay to the RC delay to determine a total time to propagate voltage swings through the network if the RC delay is below the specified threshold. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243631 | Circuit for capacitance measurement and method therefor - A measurement method for capacitance includes the following steps. First, a voltage on at least one end of a to-be-measured capacitor is switched in response to a first set of clock signals such that a level of an integrated voltage is adjusted from a start voltage level to an end voltage level in a first integration period, wherein a capacitance of the to-be-measured capacitor is relevant to a difference between the end voltage level and the start voltage level. Next, the level of the integrated voltage is adjusted from the end voltage level to the start voltage level in a second integration period in response to a second set of clock signals. Then, the capacitance of the to-be-measured capacitor is obtained according to the first and second integration periods and a known characteristic parameter. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243632 | Capacitive sensing device and method - In a capacitive sensing device for detecting a change in capacitance of an electrode which is caused by contact with a human body, the improvement of determination speed may be enabled. M (m is an integer satisfying n≧m≧2) electrodes are selected from n (n is an integer equal to or larger than two) electrodes. Capacitors connected to the m electrodes are discharged in parallel during a predetermined period, and then charged. During the charging period, a potential of each of the m electrodes is compared with a reference potential. A difference between capacitance values of the capacitors connected to the m electrodes is determined based on a result obtained by the comparison between the m electrodes. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243633 | Capacitance Sensor - A capacitance sensor, having at least one electrode is disclosed. A frequency spread signal generation circuit is coupled to the at least one electrode to apply a frequency spread signal based on a spread sequence. A periodic signal with a frequency is coupled to the at least one electrode. A frequency controller is coupled to the frequency spread signal generation circuit to vary the frequency of the periodic signal. A receiver circuit is coupled to the at least one or a further electrode to receive a version of the frequency spread signal which depends on a capacitance applied to the at least one electrode. An evaluation circuit is coupled to the receiver circuit to determine a capacitance value based on the received, dependent version of the frequency spread signal. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243634 | CAPACITIVE SENSING IN AN AUTOMOTIVE MIRROR - An automotive mirror assembly includes a mirror and transparent substrate adjacent to the mirror. The patterned coating is attached to transparent substrate and defines at least part of capacitive element. A capacitance sensor is in communication with the patterned coating thereby allowing capacitance changes induced in the patterned coating to be monitored. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243635 | ANALYSIS OF THIN LIQUID FILMS - A novel microfluidic device has been developed to measure stability of thin liquid films of water in oil emulsions using electrochemical perturbation of interfaces. This new device can be utilized in rapid classification of de-emulsifiers used in petroleum industries. Although water/crude oil emulsions have been the primary focus of this research, this measurement platform can be used in other industries such as food, cosmetics and bio-engineering (bilayer lipid membranes) as well as environmental remediation of oil spills. The compact design of the device and replacement of the mechanical measurements such as pressure with electrical signal measurements contributes in substantial size reduction of the experimental platform so that it can be employed for onsite measurements in remote areas. | 2009-10-01 |
20090243636 | PROGRAMMABLE GAIN TRANS-IMPEDANCE AMPLIFIER OVERLOAD RECOVERY CIRCUIT - Embodiments of an apparatus for measuring the leakage current of capacitive components is taught. One embodiment includes a first stage amplifier configured to receive an input from a serially-connected capacitive component at an inverting input and a feedback resistor in a feedback path of the first stage amplifier. A resistance value of the feedback resistor is programmable based on an expected value of the leakage current and a corresponding voltage output. | 2009-10-01 |