Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090165471 | ICE IN BUCKET DETECTION FOR AN ICEMAKER - In an embodiment of the invention, a refrigerator comprising an ice storage bucket and a cooling system in thermal communication with the ice storage bucket is shown. A first transmitter is configured in the ice storage bucket. A first pulse signal is transmitted from the first transmitter. A first receiver is configured in the ice storage bucket and is further configured to receive the first pulse signal. A first pre-signal response from the first receiver is generated before the first pulse signal. A first pulse signal response from the first receiver generated during the first pulse signal. | 07-02-2009 |
20100020451 | ARC DETECTION USING DISCRETE WAVELET TRANSFORMS - An apparatus to perform series and parallel arc fault current interruption (AFCI). The apparatus includes a resistive element configured to sense a load from which a current signal is generated, a first detection unit configured to output a first signal based on the current signal, and a microcontroller configured to decompose at least the first signal via discrete wavelet transforms to thereby obtain discrete wavelet coefficients, and to generate a trip signal when the discrete wavelet coefficients indicate that a threshold condition for trip signal generation are satisfied. | 01-28-2010 |
20100157488 | ARC DETECTION USING DETAILED AND APPROXIMATE COEFFICIENTS FROM DISCRETE WAVELET TRANSFORMS - An apparatus for facilitating interruption of current in an electrical circuit is provided and includes a current sensing device in the electrical circuit to service an electrical load, the current sensing device being productive of an output signal representative of a load current passing therethrough, a detection unit, in signal communication with the current sensing device such that the output signal is received by the detection unit, the detection unit being configured and disposed to output a secondary signal based on the output signal, and a microcontroller to receive and to decompose the secondary signal into detailed and approximate coefficients, and to generate a trip signal for use in interrupting an operation of the electrical circuit when a current of the sensed load is above a predetermined threshold and the detailed and approximate coefficients cooperatively indicate that threshold conditions for trip signal generation are satisfied. | 06-24-2010 |
20100165521 | PARALLEL ARC DETECTION USING DISCRETE WAVELET TRANSFORMS - An apparatus to perform parallel arc fault current interruption (AFCI). The apparatus includes a current sensing device disposed in the electrical circuit to sense an electrical load, the current sensing device configured to produce an output signal representative of a load current passing therethrough, a detection unit, in signal communication with the current sensing device and configured to receive the output signal produced by the current sensing device, the detection unit being configured and disposed to output a secondary signal based on the output signal, and a microcontroller coupled to the detection unit, being responsive to computer executable instructions which, when executed by the microcontroller, cause the microcontroller to receive and to decompose the secondary signal via discrete wavelet transforms to thereby obtain discrete wavelet coefficients, and to compute a sum of the discrete wavelet coefficients, and to compare the sum of the discrete wavelet coefficients to a predetermined threshold, and to generate a trip signal when the sensed load current is above a predetermined threshold and the sum of the discrete wavelet coefficients cooperatively indicate that predetermined threshold conditions for trip signal generation are satisfied | 07-01-2010 |
20100206869 | HEAT PUMP WATER HEATER CONTROL - Systems and methods for controlling a heat pump water heater (HPWH) are disclosed. The systems include an interface for accepting a user input and configured to indicate a mode of operation, and indicate at least one error condition when an error condition exists. The systems are operative to diagnose various failure conditions and as advise a user that maintenance may be needed and to adjust operation for varying environmental or other external conditions. | 08-19-2010 |
20120038310 | INRUSH CURRENT CONTROL FOR A MOTOR STARTER SYSTEM - A motor starter system includes a plurality of switches, and a controller operatively connected to each of the plurality switches. The controller is configured and disposed to selectively activate select ones of the plurality of switches upon detecting a particular phase angle of each of a plurality of phases of a multi-phase electrical source. | 02-16-2012 |
20120056599 | APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING CAPACITOR CHARGE STATUS AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLY - A capacitor charge control assembly for use with a circuit protection device that includes at least one activation capacitor, including at least one input device configured to receive first and second user inputs, and a linkage assembly coupled to the at least one input device such that the at least one input device is movable between a first position and an opposite second position. The control assembly also includes at least one switch coupled to the at least one input device and configured to generate one of a first signal and a second signal, wherein the first signal is based on the first user input and the second signal is based on the second user input, and wherein the first signal causes the at least one activation capacitor to discharge stored energy and the second signal causes the at least one activation capacitor to store energy. | 03-08-2012 |
20120091956 | CHARGING DEVICE, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A CHARGING DEVICE - A charging device for use with an electric vehicle having a power storage device includes a current control device configured to selectively enable current to be received from an electrical distribution device and supplied to the power storage device. The charging device also includes a processor coupled to the current control device. The processor is configured to determine a first amount of current available to be at least one of received from the electrical distribution device and supplied by the charging device, and control the current control device to enable a second amount of current to be at least one of received from the electrical distribution device and supplied to the power storage device if the second amount of current does not exceed the first amount of current determined to be available. | 04-19-2012 |
20120091960 | CHARGING DEVICE AND METHOD OF DETECTING A CONNECTION TO GROUND - A charging device includes a current control device configured to receive a first amount of current from a power source. The charging device also includes a ground detection module including a leakage circuit configured to direct a second amount of current to ground to generate a leakage voltage and a comparison circuit configured to detect a connection to ground of the charging device based on the leakage voltage generated. The charging device also includes a controller coupled to the ground detection module and to the current control device. The controller is configured to enable the first amount of current to be supplied to a power storage device of an electric vehicle when the connection to ground is detected. | 04-19-2012 |
20120095594 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USE IN CHARGING AN ELECTRICALLY POWERED VEHICLE - Methods and systems for use in charging an electrically powered vehicle are disclosed. One example method includes transmitting, by a charging station, an authorization request message to a charging system host, receiving a return message from the charging system host in response to the authorization request message, and transmitting, by the charging station, a charge terminate message to the charging system host in response to a charge terminate event. The authorization request message includes a charging station identification and a vehicle identification of a vehicle coupled to the charging station. The charge terminate message includes the charging station identification and at least one of a vehicle connection time and a charge time. | 04-19-2012 |
20120098487 | CHARGING DEVICES AND METHODS FOR CHARGING ELECTRICALLY POWERED VEHICLES - Charging devices and methods for charging electrically powered vehicles are disclosed. One example charging device includes a processor configured to at least partially control a state voltage and a detection circuit coupled to the processor. The detection circuit includes an energy storage device and a discharge circuit coupled to the energy storage device. The energy storage device is configured to be charged by the state voltage. The discharge circuit is configured to discharge said energy storage device in response to a discharge command from said processor. The processor is configured to determine a charging state associated with the electrically powered vehicle based on a voltage across said energy storage device. | 04-26-2012 |
20120113550 | MEMS-BASED SWITCHING SYSTEMS - A device for controlling an electrical current includes control circuitry, a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch in communication with the control circuitry, the MEMS switch responsive to the control circuitry to facilitate the interruption of an electrical current, a Hybrid Arcless Limiting Technology (HALT) arc suppression circuit disposed in electrical communication with the MEMS switch to receive a transfer of electrical energy from the MEMS switch in response to the MEMS switch changing state from closed to open, the HALT arc suppression circuit including a capacitive portion, and a variable resistance arranged in parallel electrical communication with the capacitive portion of the HALT arc suppression circuit, the variable resistance to dissipate a portion of the transferred electrical energy. | 05-10-2012 |
20120133325 | Methods and Systems for Charging an Energy Storage Device - A charging device for charging an energy storage device is described. The charging device includes a memory for storing a plurality of state machines and a processing device coupled to the memory. The processing device is configured to select a state machine of the plurality of state machines and to operate the charging device in accordance with the selected state machine. | 05-31-2012 |
20120147505 | CAPACITANCE CHECK AND VOLTAGE MONITORING CIRCUIT FOR USE WITH A CIRCUIT PROTECTION DEVICE - A circuit protection device includes a plasma gun, at least one capacitor communicatively coupled to the plasma gun, and a monitoring circuit communicatively coupled to the at least one capacitor. The capacitor is configured to store electrical energy and to provide the electrical energy to the plasma gun. The monitoring circuit is configured to measure a charge property of the at least one capacitor, determine a charge status of the at least one capacitor based on the measured charge property, and output at least one signal indicative of the charge status. | 06-14-2012 |
20120168410 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING ELECTROMIGRATION BETWEEN PLASMA GUN ELECTRODES - A circuit protection device includes a plasma gun configured to generate a plasma plume, at least one capacitor configured to store electrical energy, and a trigger circuit communicatively coupled to the plasma gun and the capacitor. The trigger circuit is configured to transmit a first signal to the capacitor to cause the capacitor to transmit a first portion of the electrical energy to the plasma gun. The trigger circuit is also configured to transmit a second signal to the plasma gun to cause the plasma gun to generate the plasma plume using the first portion of the electrical energy. | 07-05-2012 |
20120169266 | POWER SWITCHING SYSTEM INCLUDING A MICRO-ELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEM (MEMS) ARRAY - A switching system includes a plurality of diodes forming a diode bridge, and a micro-mechanical system (MEMS) switch array closely coupled to the plurality of diodes. The MEMS switch array is electrically connected in an (M×N) array. The (M×N) array includes a first MEMS switch leg electrically connected in parallel with a second MEMS switch leg. The first MEMS switch leg includes a first plurality of MEMS dies electrically connected in series, and the second MEMS switch leg includes a second plurality of MEMS dies electrically connected in series. | 07-05-2012 |
20130027817 | MICRO ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SWITCH (MEMS) BASED OVER CURRENT MOTOR PROTECTION SYSTEM - An over current protection system includes a current sensing member configured and disposed to output an electrical rate of change signal that is indicative of a rate of change of an electrical current being in excess of a predetermined value, at least one micro electro-mechanical switch (MEMS) device operatively connected to the current sensing member, and a controller electrically coupled to each of the current sensing member and the at least one MEMS device. The controller is configured and disposed to open the at least one MEMS device in response the electrical rate of change signal. | 01-31-2013 |
20130038286 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CHARGING AN ENERGY STORAGE DEVICE - A charging device for charging an energy storage device is described. The charging device includes a memory for storing a plurality of state machines and a processing device coupled to the memory. The processing device is configured to select a state machine of the plurality of state machines and to operate the charging device in accordance with the selected state machine. | 02-14-2013 |
20130063086 | CHARGING DEVICES AND METHODS FOR CHARGING ELECTRICALLY POWERED VEHICLES - Charging devices and methods for charging electrically powered vehicles are disclosed. One example charging device includes a processor configured to at least partially control a state voltage and a detection circuit coupled to the processor. The detection circuit includes an energy storage device and a discharge circuit coupled to the energy storage device. The energy storage device is configured to be charged by the state voltage. The discharge circuit is configured to discharge said energy storage device in response to a discharge command from said processor. The processor is configured to determine a charging state associated with the electrically powered vehicle based on a voltage across said energy storage device. | 03-14-2013 |
20130193907 | CHARGING DEVICE, DETECTION SYSTEM, AND METHOD OF TESTING A DETECTION SYSTEM - A charging device for a power storage device includes a power conduit configured to deliver current to the power storage device and a detection system configured to be coupled to the power conduit. The detection system includes a current control device coupled to the power conduit and configured to control the current delivered to the power storage device. The detection system also includes a test conductor, a current sensor coupled to the test conductor, and a controller coupled to the current sensor by the test conductor. The current sensor is arranged to detect an amount of current within the test conductor and configured to generate a current measurement signal representative of the current detected. The controller is configured to generate a test signal, transmit the test signal through the test conductor, receive the current measurement signal, and determine a status of the detection system based on the current measurement signal. | 08-01-2013 |
20130320923 | CHARGING DEVICE AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A CHARGING DEVICE - A charging device for use with an electric vehicle including a power storage device. The charging device includes a power conduit configured to electrically couple the power storage device to the charging device. The charging device includes a first protection device configured to electrically isolate the charging device from the power storage device if a current flowing through the power conduit exceeds a current limit. The charging device also includes a controller configured to control the current flowing through the power conduit if the current flowing through the power conduit causes an integration threshold to be exceeded, wherein the integration threshold is representative of a predetermined amount of current that is enabled to flow through the power conduit over a predetermined period of time. | 12-05-2013 |
20140077761 | CHARGING DEVICE INCLUDING A RETRACTABLE POWER CONDUIT AND METHOD OF OPERATING A CHARGING DEVICE - A charging device for use with a power storage device includes a housing, a power conduit configured to deliver current to the power storage device, and a cable reel assembly coupled to the housing and to the power conduit. The cable reel assembly is configured to permit extension of a portion of said power conduit from said housing and to retract the portion of said power conduit into said housing. | 03-20-2014 |