at TORSIONAL VIBRATION REDUCTION DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 08 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A torsional vibration reduction device that is provided inside of a fluid power transmitting device that has a driving side member that generates a fluid flow, and a driven side member that is driven by the fluid flow, includes a rolling element configured to move in a reciprocating manner according to a variation in torque; a retaining member that has a rolling chamber configured to house the rolling element in a manner that enables the rolling element to move in a reciprocating manner; and a housing configured to shield the rolling element and the rolling chamber from fluid inside of the fluid power transmitting device. The retaining member is enclosed and fixed inside the housing, and the housing is fixed to the driven side member. Full Article
at CLUTCH ACTUATION DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A clutch actuation device includes two plates that can selectively extend and compress relative to one another to selectively engage or disengage a clutch. Each plate includes a plurality of grooves, each groove having a deep end portion, a shallow end portion, and a ramped or inclined surface between the end portions. Each groove on the first plate corresponds with a respective groove on the second plate to define a plurality of pockets. Within each pocket is an elongated member having a pair of curved ends and an elongated shaft therebetween. The curved ends sit in the deep end portions of the grooves. To extend the plates relative to one another, the first plate is rotated relative to the second plate. This causes the curved ends of the elongated members to pivot within the deep end portions, and the elongated shaft extends away from the ramped surface, separating the plates. Full Article
at DEVICE FOR ACTUATING A CLUTCH-CONTROLLED TRANSFER CASE HAVING A TWO-STAGE INTERMEDIATE GEARING AND CLUTCH-CONTROLLED TRANSFER CASE THAT HAS A TWO-STAGE INTERMEDIATE GEARING AND THAT IS EQUIPPED WITH SAID DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a device for actuating a clutch-controlled transfer case having a two-stage intermediate gearing and a clutch-controlled transfer case that has a two-stage intermediate gearing and that is equipped with such a device. The device comprises: a rotatably driven selector shaft,a drive for rotating the selector shaft,a clutch cam disk, which can be rotated about a clutch cam disk axis by means of the selector shaft, andat least one scissor lever, wherein: one end (06) of at least one scissor lever is guided in a gate provided on the clutch cam disk,the gate has a curved path for each scissor lever, in which curved path the end of the scissor lever associated with the curved path is guided,the curved path winds around the clutch cam disk axis by at least 360°,the curved path has at least one helical segment having a continuously increasing or decreasing distance from the clutch cam disk axis, along which segment one end of a scissor lever guided therein experiences a continuously increasing or decreasing change in deflection with respect to the clutch cam disk axis during a rotation of the clutch cam disk with increasing angle of rotation, andthe clutch cam disk is disposed in such a way that the clutch cam disk can be rotated with respect to the selector shaft between two stops by an angle-of-rotation range such that, by means of rotation of the selector shaft within the angle-of-rotation range situated between said stops, shifting back and forth between the shifting stages of the intermediate gearing occurs, and, by means of rotation of the selector shaft beyond the angle-of-rotation range, the end of the at least one scissor lever experiences a deflection for actuating the clutch while a selected shifting stage is maintained. Full Article
at METHOD OF OPERATING A POWER PATH WITH CONTINUOUSLY POWER-SPLIT TRANSMISSION AND WITH SECONDARILY COUPLED POWER SPLIT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method for operating a vehicle drive-train having a continuously power-branched transmission with secondary coupling. In the open operating condition of reversing clutches of a reversing gear unit, torque applied in the area of a drive output can be supported by a range group in the area of a variator. In the event of a command to interrupt the power flow between a drive engine and the drive output, it is checked whether the vehicle is on an inclined surface and if the result of that inquiry is positive, the power flow between the drive engine and the transmission is interrupted at the latest when the rotational speed of the drive output is reduced to zero by opening the reversing clutches, while the active connection between the drive output and the variator is maintained by way of the range group. Full Article
at POWER EQUIPMENT DEVICE WITH REMOVABLE ATTACHMENTS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The disclosed technology relate to a device and system that include an outdoor power equipment power unit or cart configured to releasably couple a number of different interchangeable attachments or work implements to a common power unit, where some attachments include and/or require operator presence control, while other attachments do not include and/or require operator presence control. The outdoor power equipment power unit includes a power transfer coupling member operatively coupled to the drive shaft and configured to transfer rotational power to the associated attachment; and an operator presence actuation member operatively coupled to the operator presence control member, the operator presence actuation member configured to rotate in response to user actuation of the operator presence control member. Full Article
at SYNCHRONIZATION UNIT FOR A GEAR CHANGING TRANSMISSION By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A synchronization unit of a switchable gear changing transmission for a vehicle. The synchronization unit includes a friction ring having an outer installation surface and a synchronizer ring having an inner installation surface. The outer installation surface of the friction ring is shaped as a first geometrically structured profile. The inner installation surface of the synchronizer ring is shaped as a corresponding second geometrically structured profile. The first profile of the friction ring is configured to engage with the second profile of the synchronizer ring in such a manner that the friction ring is secured in the radial direction to the axis and in the circumferential direction at the synchronizer ring. Full Article
at DUAL RAMP ACTUATOR CONTROLLING A TWO CLUTCH SYSTEM FOR A DRIVELINE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A ball ramp actuator assembly including a control ring, an activation ring including a first section and a second section, two circumferential plate grooves formed between the control ring and the sections of the activation ring which contain rolling elements, two clutches, a gear and an actuator. The first and second sections are splined together allowing for axial movement. The first clutch is connected to the first section of the activation ring and a second clutch is connected to the second section of the activation ring. The rotation of a section of the activation ring axially in one direction allows the corresponding plate groove to expand and apply a load to the corresponding clutch while the other section of the activation ring remains inactive and rotation in the opposite direction activates the other clutch respectively. Full Article
at Power Transmitting Apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A power transmitting apparatus has a clutch member and a pressure member. The cam surfaces of the pressure-contact assist cam face each other. The cam surfaces of the back torque limiter cam face each other. A receiving portion for a clutch spring (10) on the pressure member (5) side has a receiving member (11) separate from the pressure member (5). A first cam surface (C1) and a second cam surface (C2), constituting the back torque limiter cam, are, respectively, formed on the receiving member (11) and the clutch member (4). A third cam surface (C3) and a fourth cam surface (C4), constituting the pressure-contact assist cam, are, respectively, formed on the pressure member (5) and the clutch member (4). Full Article
at ONE-WAY CLUTCH AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A one-way clutch is configured to allow rotation in one direction with respect to a shaft and regulate rotation in the other direction, and includes a housing, a plurality of needles, a plurality of magnets, a plurality of first accommodating portions, and a plurality of second accommodating portions. The housing includes a fitting hole into which the shaft is fit. The plurality of magnets are respectively arranged adjacent to the plurality of needles. Each magnet has an S pole and an N pole corresponding to a first end side and a second end side of one of the needles, and attracts one of the needles by magnetic force to a first circumferential direction of the shaft. The plurality of first accommodating portions accommodate the plurality of needles, respectively. The plurality of second accommodating portions are respectively arranged adjacent to the first accommodating portions, and respectively accommodate the plurality of magnets. Full Article
at INTEGRATED TORQUE LIMITER/NO-BACK DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An integrated torque limiter/no-back device for use in an actuator with an input shaft, an output, and a gear reduction. The device includes an input ramp, an output ramp coupled to the gear reduction, a combined ramp disposed between the input ramp and the output ramp, a first plurality of balls arranged between the input ramp and the combined ramp, a second plurality of balls arranged between the combined ramp and the output ramp, a pin, and a brake. The pin extends from the input ramp to the combined ramp and coupled to the input shaft. The combined ramp, the output ramp, and the second plurality of balls therebetween are configured to operate as a torque limiter by causing the combined ramp and the output ramp to separate and the output ramp to engage the brake when the torque from the input shaft exceeds a torque threshold. Full Article
at Polymer composition having heat-absorbing properties and high stability to weathering By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST The invention relates to a polymer composition which absorbs infrared radiation (IR), containing a transparent thermoplastic plastic, an inorganic infrared absorber, also referred to as IR absorber hereinbelow, at least one inorganic nano-scale pigment, and the combination of at least two organic coloring agents of a specific structure, and to the preparation and use of the polymer compositions according to the invention and to products produced therefrom. Full Article
at Cationic microfibrillated plant fibre and manufacturing method for same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST The present invention provides a novel cationized microfibrillated plant fiber and a method for manufacturing the same. A cationic microfibrillated plant fiber that is cationically modified with a quaternary-ammonium-group-containing compound, and that has an average diameter of 4 to 200 nm. Full Article
at Method for treating laundry in a clothes dryer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for treating laundry in a clothes dryer having a rotating drum defining a treatment chamber that includes applying a treating chemistry, which may include a treating chemistry that benefits from uniform distribution, on the laundry and drying the laundry after the applying of the treating chemistry. Full Article
at Active moisture removal in a laundry treating appliance By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A laundry treating appliance having a treating chamber for receiving laundry and configured to perform one or more cycles of operation and method for actively dehumidifying the treating chamber of a laundry treating appliance to retard or eliminate the adverse effects of moisture-laden laundry remaining in the treating chamber or moisture remaining in the treating chamber or other areas of the laundry treating appliance. Full Article
at Method and apparatus for redistributing an imbalance in a laundry treating appliance By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus and method for detecting an imbalance in the laundry load and effecting a redistribution of the imbalance by reducing the rotational speed of the treating chamber such that part of the load may redistribute while part of the load remains satellized, without ceasing rotation, and increasing the rotational speed back to a spin speed after redistribution. Full Article
at Treating lignocellulosic materials By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A process of covalently modifying a lignocellulosic material is provided. The process includes oxidizing a lignocellulosic material having hydroxyl groups with an oxidant to oxidize at least a portion of the hydroxyl groups to carboxylic acid groups, optionally activating the carboxylic acid groups with an activating agent to form activated carboxylic acid groups, and reacting the carboxylic acid groups or the activated carboxylic acid groups with a first nitrogen-containing reagent selected from amino acids, peptides, or protected derivatives thereof to provide a treated lignocellulosic material. The treated lignocellulosic materials thus prepared displays resistance to degradation. Full Article
at Process of using metal-coated nanofibres By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to metal coated nano-fibres obtained by a process that includes electrospinning and to the use of said metal coated nano-fibres. The process is characterised in that a polymer nano-fibre with functional groups providing the binding ability to a reducing reagent is prepared by electrospinning at ambient conditions. Then this is contacted with a reducing agent, thereby opening the epoxy ring on the surface of polymer nano-fibre and replacing with the reducing agent and the reducing agent modified film is reacted with metal solution in alkaline media. Finally the electrospun mat is treated with water to open the epoxy rings in the structure and crosslinking the chains to provide integrity. Full Article
at Fructan-based epilatory compositions By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to an epilatory mixture comprising a fructan, preferably inulin. Furthermore, an epilatory composition is disclosed comprising said epilatory effective mixture. Also a method of use of said epilatory composition of the invention for the removal of unwanted hair from the skin is disclosed, as well as a method of use of said composition for carrying out an epilatory treatment which can be carried out by a professional person as well as by a non-professional person. Full Article
at Method of controlling drainage of wash water remaining in a washing machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed herein is a method of controlling drainage of wash water remaining in a washing machine. The method includes draining wash water from a tub to an outside of the washing machine, supplying wash water into the washing machine after the draining wash water, and re-draining the wash water to the outside of the washing machine after the supplying wash water. Full Article
at Mitigation of radiation induced attenuation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A DTS system resistant to radiation induced attenuation losses during the service life of an installation at both low and high temperatures using matched multi-wavelength distributed temperature sensing automatic calibration technology in combination with designed Pure Silica Core (PSC) optical fibers and an in process photo bleaching method provided by the light sources of the distributed temperature sensing system. Full Article
at Process for lightening keratin materials using an emulsion comprising an alkaline agent and an oxidizing composition By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure therefore relates to a method for lightening keratin materials, in which the following are used: (a) a direct emulsion (A) comprising at least one fatty substance in an amount greater than 25% by weight, such as greater than 50%, at least one surfactant; at least one alkaline agent and an amount of water greater than 5% by weight, of the total weight of the emulsion, (b) a composition (B) comprising at least one oxidizing agent. It also relates to a multi-compartment device comprising, in one compartment, an emulsion (A), in another compartment a composition (B) comprising at least one oxidizing agent. Full Article
at Textile colouration By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A textile comprising a diacetylene compound which is capable of changing color when irradiated with light energy. Methods of imparting color to textiles comprising irradiating the textile with light energy are also provided. Full Article
at Photoresist composition and method of forming a black matrix using the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A photoresist composition includes a binder resin combined with a black dye, a monomer, a photo-polymerization initiator and a remainder of a solvent. Full Article
at Associative thickener comprising acid monomer, associative monomer and nonionic monomer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT As associative thickener obtainable by free radical polymerization, the preparation thereof and the use thereof in paper coating slips are described. The associative thickener is formed from (a) acid monomers selected from ethylenically unsaturated C3- to C8-carboxylic acids, (b) associative monomers of the general formula H2C═CR1—COO-(EO)n—(PO)m—R2, in which R1 is hydrogen or methyl, n is a number of at least two, m is a number from zero to 50, EO is an ethylene oxide group, PO is a propylene oxide group and R2 is a C8-C30-alkyl group or a C8-C30-alkaryl group, and (c) nonionic, copolymerizable monomers differing from a) and b), the reaction product having been reacted, after the polymerization, with initiators forming nonionic radicals. Full Article
at Disperse dye mixtures, their preparation and use By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides dye mixtures containing at least one dye of formula (I) and at least one dye of formula (II) where T1, T2, R1 to R9 and n are each as defined in claim 1, processes for their preparation and their use. Full Article
at Bluing composition and method for treating textile articles using the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A bluing composition concentrate comprises an aqueous medium and at least one colorant that exhibits a blue or violet shade when deposited onto a textile material. The concentrate can be used to produce a bluing composition, and the bluing composition can be used to treat textile materials in such a way as to decrease the visually-perceived yellow coloration of textile articles that can occur with repeated use and laundering. Full Article
at Dye composition using a 2-hydroxynaphthalene, (acylamino)phenol or quinoline coupler in a fatty-substance-rich medium, dyeing process and device therefor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a cosmetic composition for dyeing keratin fibers, in particular human keratin fibers such as the hair, comprising: a) one or more fatty substances; b) one or more surfactants; c) one or more oxidation bases; d) one or more couplers based on 2-hydroxynaphthalene derivatives or particular phenol derivatives, acylaminophenol derivatives or quinoline derivatives; f) one or more basifying agents; e) optionally one or more chemical oxidizing agents; and the fatty substance content representing in total at least 25% by weight relative to the total weight of the formulation. The present invention also relates to a process using this composition, and to a multi-compartment device that is suitable for performing the said process. Full Article
at Foam dyeing agent for keratinous fibers with improved color uptake By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present application provides preparations for changing the color of keratinic fibers, containing in a cosmetically acceptable carrier, at least one color-changing agent, at least one soap, at least one non-ionic surfactant of formula (I), in which R1 denotes an alkyl or alkenyl residue having 5 to 21 carbon atoms, R2 denotes a C2-C4 monohydroxyalkyl residue, and R3 denotes hydrogen, a C1-C4 alkyl residue or a C2-C4 monohydroxyalkyl residue, and at least one propellant wherein the preparation is in the form of a foam, and a proportion of gas in the foam is at least 50% by volume. Full Article
at Formulation for cleaning of hard surfaces and textiles By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Concentrated cleaning formulations for removing debris from hard surfaces and textile surfaces. An exemplary formulation includes a mixture of the following chemical components, in specified proportions: glycerin;monopropylene glycol;triethylene glycol methyl ether;a non-ionic surfactant;an emulsifier;soya methyl ester or canola methyl ester, or both; andhydroxypropyl sulfonate; The formulation is free of water other than insignificant amounts present in the chemical components combined to make the mixture. Combining the formulation with water causes a temperature of the combination to increase above the temperatures of the water and the formulation before combining. Full Article
at TWO-DIMENSIONAL MATERIAL SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A semiconductor device comprises a two-dimensional (2D) material layer, the 2D material layer comprising a channel region in between a source region and a drain region; a first gate stack and a second gate stack in contact with the 2D material layer, the first and second gate stack being spaced apart over a distance; the first gate stack located on the channel region of the 2D material layer and in between the source region and the second gate stack, the first gate stack arranged to control the injection of carriers from the source region to the channel region and the second gate stack located on the channel region of the 2D material layer; the second gate stack arranged to control the conduction of the channel region. Full Article
at CHARGE PUMP CIRCUIT AND STEP-DOWN REGULATOR CIRCUIT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A charge pump circuit includes a capacitor, a first switch between the capacitor and a power supply terminal, a second switch between the capacitor and an output terminal, a third switch between the output terminal and the capacitor, a fourth switch between the capacitor and a ground terminal, and a control unit configured to generate control signals for the switches. The control signals include first signals generated during a first period that cause first and third switches to be in an ON state and second and fourth switches to be in an OFF state, second signals generated during a second period that cause first and third switches to be in an OFF state and second and fourth switches to be in an ON state, and third signals generated between the first and second periods, that cause the ON/OFF state of each of the switches to be switched at different times. Full Article
at SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A VOLTAGE CONTROLLED OSCILLATOR By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An electrical circuit includes: at least one inductor, at least one varactor, and at least two transistors, all of which electrically arranged to form a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) having an oscillation frequency; wherein the at least two transistors includes a first transistor and a second transistor; wherein the first transistor has a first bulk terminal and a first parasitic diode disposed between the first bulk terminal and the first transistor; wherein the second transistor has a second bulk terminal and a second parasitic diode disposed between the second bulk terminal and the second transistor; wherein application of a first control voltage to the first bulk terminal, application of a second control voltage to the second bulk terminal, or application of first and second control voltages to the first and second bulk terminals, respectively, is effective to change the oscillation frequency of the VCO. Full Article
at SR LATCH CIRCUIT WITH SINGLE GATE DELAY By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An SR latch circuit with single gate delay is provided. The circuit has an an enable input and an SR latch. There is first input stage having an input for receiving a set input and having an output for producing a first component of the SR latch circuit output, the first input stage having only one transistor that receives the enable input, the first input stage becoming transparent while enabled, the first input stage having a single gate delay between the input of the first input stage and the output of the first input stage. There is a second input stage having an input for receiving a reset input and having an output for producing a second component of the SR latch circuit output, the second input stage having only one transistor that receives the enable input, the second input stage becoming transparent while enabled, the second input stage having a single gate delay between the input of the second input stage and the output of the second input stage. Full Article
at SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A REDUCED HARMONIC CONTENT TRANSMITTER FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATION By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A system includes a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) to generate an output signal based on an input voltage and a multi-stage delay network to receive the output signal from the VCO. Each stage of the delay network produces a phase-shifted output signal. The system includes a multi-stage digital-to-analog converter (DAC) network, where each stage of the DAC network is associated with a corresponding stage of the delay network. Each stage of the DAC network receives the phase-shifted output signal from its corresponding stage of the delay network and generates a weighted output signal based on the received phase-shifted output signal. The DAC network combines the weighted output signal of each stage. A weighting factor for each stage of the DAC network is selected to reduce harmonic content of the combination of weighted output signals. Full Article
at SEMICONDUCTOR INTEGRATED CIRCUIT AND HIGH FREQUENCY ANTENNA SWITCH By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An integrated circuit includes a drive circuit with a first inverter circuit with a first transistor of a first conductivity type and a second transistor of a second conductivity type. The drains of the first and second transistors are connected. An output circuit is provided having a third transistor of the second conductivity with a gate connected to the drains of the first and second transistors. A capacitor is connected between the gate and a drain of the third transistor and has a capacitance greater than 0.5 pF and less than or equal to 3.0 pF. A gate width of the first transistor when divided by a gate width of the third transistor has a value of less than 1/100. The output circuit is configured to output a transmission signal from the drain of the third transistor. Full Article
at SOLID STATE POWER CONTROL By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A solid state power control apparatus includes: (a) at least one IGBT and at least one FET, for supplying current to a load, and (b) a current controller for shutting off the IGBT and FET. The current controller is arranged to start shut off of the IGBT before it starts shut off of the FET. Further, the current controller is arranged to reduce current flow prior to start of the turn off of the IGBT and FET. Full Article
at Gate Energy Recovery By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Embodiment of the inventive subject matter include an apparatus comprising a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, and a transistor. The first switch is coupled to a first voltage device and the transistor to selectively electrically connect the first voltage device to the transistor to provide a first charge to the transistor. The second switch is coupled to a second voltage device and the transistor to selectively electrically connect the second voltage device to the transistor to remove charge from the transistor. The third switch is coupled to the third voltage device and the transistor to selectively couple the third voltage device to the transistor to provide a second charge to the transistor. Full Article
at SIGNAL TRANSFER CIRCUIT AND CIRCUIT FOR GENERATING HIT SIGNAL INCLUDING THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A signal transfer circuit may include a pass gate coupled between first and second nodes; and a control unit suitable for controlling the pass gate to prevent a current flowing from the second node to the first node during turn-on of the pass gate. Full Article
at POWER-DOMAIN OPTIMIZATION By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT One example discloses an apparatus for power management, including: a circuit having a first power-domain and a second power-domain; wherein the first and second power-domains include a set of operating parameter values; a circuit controller configured to incrementally sweep at least one of the operating parameter values of the first power-domain; a circuit profiler configured to derive a total power consumption profile of the circuit based on the circuit's response to the swept operating parameter value; wherein the circuit controller sets the operating parameter values for the first and second power-domains based on the total power consumption profile of the circuit. Full Article
at CLOCK GENERATION CIRCUIT AND SEMICONDUCTOR APPARATUS AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEM USING THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A clock generation circuit may include a reference clock generator configured to generate a pair of first reference clocks in an offset code generation mode, a correction code generator configured to generate a reference correction code according to a duty detection signal based on a phase difference between the pair of first reference clocks, and an offset code generator configured to generate an offset code based on the reference correction code and a preset reference code. Full Article
at LOOP FILTER WITH ACTIVE DISCRETE-LEVEL LOOP FILTER CAPACITOR IN A VOLTAGE CONTROLLED OSCILLATOR By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A loop filter with an active discrete-level loop filter capacitor can be used in a VCO (such as for CDR). A loop filter capacitor function is simulated by sensing input loop filter current (such as with a current mirror and source follower in the input leg), and forcing back a loop filter (VCO) control voltage. Loop filter voltage control is provided using a VDAC with a discrete-level VDAC feedback voltage, incremented/decremented based on the sensed loop filter current. In one embodiment, the VDAC voltage is provided as the non-inverting input to an amplifier, with the inverting input providing the control voltage, forced to the VDAC feedback voltage. The VDAC feedback voltage can be provided by increment/decrement comparators based on a voltage deviation on a C2 capacitor (from a reference voltage) that receives the sensed loop filter current (effectively multiplying the C2 capacitance to provide a simulated loop filter capacitance). Full Article
at PHASE LOCKED LOOP AND ASSOCIATED METHOD FOR LOOP GAIN CALIBRATION By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A phase locked loop (PLL) includes a controllable oscillator, a charge pump, a type II loop filter, a frequency divider, a phase error processing circuit, a phase frequency detector and a phase alignment circuit. The controllable oscillator generates an oscillating signal. The charge pump circuit generates a charge pump output in a calibration mode. The type II loop filter generates a first control signal to the controllable oscillator according to the charge pump output. The frequency divider performs frequency division upon the oscillating signal for generating a feedback signal. The phase error processing circuit outputs an adjusting signal by comparing a reference signal with the feedback signal. The phase frequency detector generates a detection signal by comparing the feedback signal and the reference signal. The phase alignment circuit generates a second control signal in the calibration mode. Full Article
at MULTICHANNEL TRANSDUCER DEVICES AND METHODS OF OPERATION THEREOF By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure is directed to multichannel transducer devices and methods of operation thereof. One example device includes at least two acquisition modules that have different sensitives and a signal processing stage that generates a blended signal representative of a lower gain signal mapped onto a higher gain signal. One example method of operation includes receiving a first signal from a first sensor having a first sensitivity, receiving a second signal from a second sensor having a second sensitivity that is different from the first sensitivity, generating a blended signal by mapping the second signal to the first signal, outputting the first signal while the first signal is below a first threshold and above a second threshold, and outputting the blended signal when the first signal is above the first threshold and when the first signal is below the second threshold. Full Article
at Apparatus for Multiple-Input Power Architecture for Electronic Circuitry and Associated Methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus includes an integrated circuit (IC). The IC includes a power controller, which includes a regulator and a controller. The regulator receives a plurality of input voltages and provides a regulated output voltage. The controller controls the regulator to generate the regulated output voltage from the plurality of input voltages. The power controller provides power to a load integrated in the IC from a set of arbitrary input voltages. The set of arbitrary input voltages includes the plurality of input voltages. Full Article
at MULTI-STEP SLEW RATE CONTROL CIRCUITS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An example circuit includes: a slew rate driver configured to provide an output voltage; a first voltage provider configured to provide a first input voltage to the slew rate driver in response to the output voltage being within a first range; and a second voltage provider configured to provide a second input voltage to the slew rate driver in response to the output voltage being within a second range. The slew rate driver is further configured to change the output voltage based at least in part on the first input voltage or the second input voltage. Full Article
at Memory Device and Method for Operating a Memory Device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Devices are provided in which a metastable state can be detected in a memory device by means of a metastability detector. Corresponding information can be conveyed to a further device which, in dependence thereon, can process data from the memory device. Full Article
at CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR GENERATION OF A CLOCK SIGNAL WITH DUTY-CYCLE ADJUSTMENT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A clock-signal generator circuit, for generating an output clock signal starting from an input clock signal, includes: a monostable stage having a clock input configured to receive the input clock signal, a control input configured to receive a control signal, and an output configured to supply the output clock signal having a duty cycle variable as a function of the control signal; and a feedback loop, operatively coupled to the monostable stage for generating the control signal as a function of a detected value, and of a desired value, of the duty cycle of the output clock signal. Full Article
at DOUBLE FREQUENCY-SHIFT KEYING MODULATING DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A double frequency-shift keying modulating device includes a modulation module. The modulation module receives an oscillating signal and a digital signal, and generates a modulation output signal that has a first frequency. The first frequency is associated with a frequency of the oscillating signal and varies periodically at a second frequency. The second frequency is associated with the digital signal and the frequency of the oscillating signal. Full Article
at ULTRA HIGH PERFORMANCE SILICON CARBIDE GATE DRIVERS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A system includes a SiC semiconductor power device; a power supply board that is configured to provide power to a first gate driver board via a connector; the first gate driver board that is coupled and configured to provide current to the SiC semiconductor power device, wherein the first gate driver board is coupled to the power supply board via the connector, and wherein the first gate driver board is separated from the power supply board; and an interconnect board that is coupled to the first gate driver board, wherein the interconnect board is configured to couple the first gate driver board a second gate driver board. Full Article
at SEMICONDUCTOR APPARATUS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A semiconductor apparatus may include a noise determination circuit, a strobe signal control circuit, and a reception circuit. The noise determination circuit may sense and determine noise of a reference voltage, and generate an up control signal and a down control signal. The strobe signal control circuit may adjust a transition timing of a strobe signal in response to the up control signal and the down control signal, and output a control strobe signal. The reception circuit may generate internal data signal in response to external data signal, the reference voltage, and the control strobe signal. Full Article