or Stream detection and/or characterization for beverage dispensing in a refrigerator By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet and a refrigerating compartment within the refrigerator cabinet. A beverage dispensing system is operatively connected to the refrigerator cabinet, the beverage dispensing system configured to dispense a stream of a beverage. The beverage dispensing system includes a light source and a light sensor positioned on opposite sides of the stream of the beverage. The beverage dispensing system is configured for detecting if dispensement of the beverage is occurring and characterizing the volume or amount of the beverage being dispensed. Full Article
or Method and apparatus for engaging a beverage extraction device with a container By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Devices and methods for clamping a beverage extraction device to a beverage container, such as a wine bottle. One or more clamp arms may be arranged to clamp the extraction device to a wine bottle as well as allow the device to be supported upright on a table top. Clamp arms may include tab and ridge features that operate to properly engage and position a wide variety of different bottle neck shapes relative to the device. The one or more clamp arms may move the bottle neck distally, e.g., toward a resilient pad, so that the neck is suitably positioned relative to the device. Proper positioning and engagement of the neck may allow for desired piercing of a cork or other closure of the bottle by the device. Full Article
or System, device, and method for treating fuel By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A device, system and/or method for dispensing a fuel additive to a fuel tank that employs a fuel additive delivery device secured to an opening of the fuel tank. The delivery device is fluidly coupled to a fuel additive reservoir. The delivery device includes a cap that automatically opens or closes fluid communication with the fuel additive reservoir. The delivery device also includes a bore defined through the delivery device configured to receive a fuel filler spout with a fuel passageway outlet positioned in the bore such that, as fuel passes through the bore and into the fuel tank, the bore is configured to create a suction at the fuel additive outlet to pull fuel additive from the reservoir, through the delivery device, and into the fuel tank with the fuel. Full Article
or Method and apparatus for safety-compliant emptying and filling of a reagent container By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for safety-compliant emptying and filling of a reagent container (24, 40) for a tissue processor (20) comprises a suction line (30, 42) for aspirating a reagent out of the reagent container (24, 40) and a delivery line (32, 44) for filling the reagent container (24, 40) with the reagent, a terminating opening (31, 43) of the suction line (30, 42) being spaced away from a terminating opening (33, 45) of the delivery line (32, 44). Full Article
or Aseptic connector for a free-flowing food By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A reusable aseptic connector is provided. The connector may be used to provide fluid communication between a bag-in-box (BIB) container and a beverage dispenser. The connector may provide aseptic properties of the connection by insulation of an inner volume of a first part and an inner volume of a second part, with the beverage component kept from contacting any of the part of the connector structure that are exposed to the environment and have a risk of induced contamination. The connector may comprise a resilient membrane and a sliding tube wherein the sliding tube is configured to have a portion move toward and through the resilient membrane to establish fluid communication between the first part and the second part, and for the portion to move away from the resilient membrane to destablish fluid communication between the first part and the second part when desired. Full Article
or Machine and method for filling and weighing capsules By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A machine for dosing a product in capsules, includes a rotating turret which has seats suitable for receiving empty capsules and a dosing device for dosing the product in the capsules. The machine further includes a feeding unit having a first weighing device for weighing empty capsules, a transfer arrangement for transferring empty capsules, when weighed, to predetermined seats of the turret for being filled with the product, a second weighing device for weighing capsules filled with the product, and a processing device connected to the first and second weighing device for receiving data relative to weights measured by the first and second weighing devices and for calculating for each capsule a difference between the weight measured before and the weight measured after filling. In this manner, a respective quantity of dosed product is calculated. Full Article
or Container closure with overlying needle penetrable and resealable portion and underlying portion compatible with fat containing liquid product, and related method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A container and method are provided for storing fat containing liquid products. The container includes a body defining a storage chamber for receiving the product, and a container closure. A first material portion forms at least most of the surface area overlying the storage chamber that can contact any product therein. Neither the body nor the first material portion leach more than a predetermined amount of leachables into the product or undesirably alter a taste profile thereof. A needle penetrable and thermally resealable second material portion either (i) overlies the first material portion and cannot contact any product within the storage chamber, or (ii) forms a substantially lesser surface area overlying the storage chamber that can contact any product therein in comparison to the first material portion. A sealing portion is engageable with the body to form a substantially dry hermetic seal between the container closure and body. Full Article
or Communication device activated by fuel door By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A communication device or auxiliary ECU is activated when a fuel door of a fuel cell vehicle is open. Upon closing the fuel door, the communication device/ECU is shut off. The communication device/auxiliary ECU is operational regardless of whether the keys in the vehicle or not. This assures that communication of information can occur when a refueling station is most likely to request the information, i.e. when the fuel door is open. A temperature measurement device may monitor a vehicle tank temperature, communicate the tank temperature data to a filling station, and confirm that the tank temperature data is associated with the tank being filled. Full Article
or Cover for the spout of a fuel dispenser and method of use By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A cover for covering a spout of a fuel dispenser when the fuel dispenser is not in use includes a sheath having an elongated cavity which is shaped and dimensioned to longitudinally receive the spout of the fuel dispenser. The sheath is fabricated from a fuel absorbent material. After the fuel dispenser is used, the sheath is installed over the spout of the fuel container, absorbs any residual fuel, and prevents contaminants from collecting on the spout. In an embodiment, the sheath has a hole which receives the hanger of a fuel nozzle and holds the sheath in place on the spout. Full Article
or Filling apparatus for high-altitude balloons By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT High-altitude balloons and apparatuses for filling such high-altitude balloons are provided. As an example, an apparatus for filling a high-altitude balloon includes a tube extending through envelope material of the balloon is provided. The apparatus also includes a flange connected to a first end of the tube. The flange is connected to an interior surface of the balloon. A fitting is connected to a second end of the tube. The fitting is configured for attachment with an apparatus for filling the balloon with lift gas. In addition, methods of filing high-altitude balloons with lift gas and methods of manufacturing balloons are also provided. Full Article
or Device for introducing a defined amount of a second powder into a process container By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus to introduce a defined amount of a second powder into a process container in which a first powder or a powder mixture is present, includes a coupling flange having a cover flap located on the process container. The second powder is introduced into a tubular cartridge mounted displaceably in a transport unit, the latter including a joining flange having a cover flap. The joining flange is joinable to the coupling flange so that the respective cover flaps can be opened, and the cartridge can be pushed through openings thereby provided into the plane of the inner wall of the process container. The second powder is emptied from the cartridge into the process container by a delivery piston. The cartridge may include a piston rod having multiple pistons. Other embodiments include a double piston, a rotatable cartridge core or a rotary closure. Full Article
or Oral syringe packaging system for hospital pharmacies By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A semi-automated system suitable for use in a hospital setting for filling patient-specific liquid prescriptions to be administered by oral syringes on a just-in-time basis. The system enables hospital pharmacists to simplify and streamline their task, increasing the number of prescriptions that can be filled in a day, improving patient safety and care by minimizing medication errors and the consequences that ensue. Full Article
or Gathering device for gathering plastic members By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is a gathering device for gathering plastic members. The gathering device includes a gathering portion and a tray detachably connected to the gathering portion. The gathering portion includes an outer shell, a hollow inner shell and a number of fans. The inner shell is received in the outer shell. The inner shell includes a number of vent. The fans are positioned between the outer shell and the inner shell for blowing ions into the inner shell through the vents. The tray is configured for containing the plastic members passing through the gathering portion. Full Article
or Cylinder-piston unit suitable for storing injection solutions for a needle-free injector and method for the bubble-free automatic or manual filling of the cylinder-piston unit, also under atmospheric pressure By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A pressure-stable cylinder/piston unit which blocks water vapor and oxygen and is designed for a needle-free injector, with a chamber arranged in a cylinder, which blocks water vapor and oxygen, and designed for long-term and sterile storage of an injection solution, an end wall with at least one nozzle bore or one outlet element, a pressure-stable outer cylinder, and a pressure-stable piston arranged movably in the chamber and blocking water vapor and oxygen. Methods for bubble-free, automatic or manual filling of the cylinder/piston unit, also at atmospheric pressure are also disclosed. Full Article
or Conveying device for powdery and/or granulated material By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A conveying device for free-flowing fine-particle solids, in particular for powdery and/or granular (mixed) material, especially plastic granulate, includes a vertically arranged and flexibly mountable telescopic pipe for the conveyance of, preferably, polymer granulates, for example in a plant for the filling of polymer granulates. Full Article
or Power supply for a load control device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A power supply for a load control device generates a DC voltage and provides an asymmetrical output current, while drawing a substantially symmetrical input current. The power supply comprises a controllably conductive switching circuit for controllably charging an energy storage capacitor across which the DC voltage is produced. The energy storage capacitor begins charging at the beginning of a half-cycle and stops charging after a charging time in response to the magnitude of the DC voltage and the amount of time that the energy storage capacitor has been charging during the present half-cycle. The charging time is maintained substantially constant from one half-cycle to the next. The power supply is particularly beneficial for preventing asymmetrical current from flowing in a multiple location load control system having a master load control device supplying power to a plurality of remote load control devices all located on either the line-side or the load-side of the system. Full Article
or Digital peak detector with follower mode By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Circuits and processes for detecting a peak value of an input signal are disclosed. In one example, a peak detector circuit may sample a line sense signal, determine the peak value of the line sense signal during a search window, and output a peak detection signal representative of the determined peak value. In a first mode, the peak detector circuit may cause the peak detection signal to be representative of the determined peak value from an immediately preceding search window. In a second mode, the peak detector circuit may cause the peak detection signal to follow the sampled line sense signal. The peak detector circuit may operate in the second mode in response to the sample of the line sense signal being greater than a peak value of the line sense signal from an immediately preceding search window by more than a threshold amount. Full Article
or Systems and methods for controlling power converters By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A power conversion system has a power converter configured to receive an input voltage signal, convert the input voltage to an output voltage signal, and provide the output voltage signal to a load and a closed loop compensator configured to receive the output voltage signal and a reference voltage signal, the closed loop compensator configured to transmit an error signal indicative of a difference between the output voltage signal and the reference voltage signal. The power conversion system further has a pulse with modulator configured to receive the error signal and modulate a control signal with the error signal to control the output voltage signal, the pulse width modulator configured to transmit the control signal to the power converter and logic configured to receive the error signal and control the closed loop compensator based upon the error signal. A controller observes the error signal characterstics such as peak-to-peak values, frequency and phase and adjust the closed loop controller variables and other power converter system variables in order to improve the dynamic performance and improve stability. Full Article
or DC/DC converter arrangement and method for DC/DC conversion By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A DC/DC converter arrangement includes an input terminal to receive a supply voltage, an output terminal to provide an output voltage and a switching arrangement, including a coil and at least two switches to provide a Buck-Boost conversion. The arrangement further includes a current detection circuit which is coupled to the switching arrangement for sensing a coil current and a comparator, including a first input which is coupled to the output terminal and a second input which is coupled to an output of the current detection circuit. An output of the comparator is coupled to the switching arrangement. Furthermore, the arrangement includes a ramp generator which is coupled to the first or the second input of the comparator. Full Article
or High efficient control circuit for buck-boost converters and control method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A controller used in a buck-boost converter includes a clock generator, an error amplifying circuit, a comparing circuit, a proportional sampling circuit, a logic circuit, a pulse width increasing circuit, first and second driving circuits. Based on a clock signal generated by the clock generator, the proportional sampling circuit samples the difference between a current sensing signal and a compensation signal generated by the error amplifying circuit, and generates a proportional sampling signal. The pulse width increasing circuit generates a sum control signal based on the proportional sampling signal and a logic control signal generated by the logic circuit, wherein a modulation value adjusted by the proportional sampling signal is added to the pulse width of the logic control signal to generate the pulse width of the sum control signal. The first and second driving circuits generate driving signals based on the sum control signal and the logic control signal. Full Article
or Interleaved two-stage power factor correction system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods and systems are described for providing power factor correction for high-power loads using two interleaved power factor correction stages. Each power factor correction stage includes a controllable switch that is operated to control the phasing of each power factor correction stage. The phasing of output current from the second power factor correction stage is shifted 180 degree relative to the output current from the first power factor correction stage. Full Article
or System and method for multi-phase voltage regulation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a multi-phase voltage regulator may comprise a plurality of phases, each phase configured to supply electrical current to one or more information handling resources electrically coupled to the voltage regulator. A controller may be electrically coupled to the plurality of phases. The controller may designate at least one of the plurality of phases as a first state phase, and designate each of the plurality of phases not designated as a first state phase as a second state phase. The controller may alternate the designation of at least two of the plurality of phases between a first state phase and a second state phase. Each first state phase may be configured to supply a first electrical current regardless of electrical current demand. Each second state phase may be configured to supply a second electrical current based on the current demand. Full Article
or Low dropout light emitting diode (LED) ballast circuit and method therefor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A ballast circuit for a Light Emitting Diode (LED) has a regulator element coupled to the LED and to an input voltage source. A control circuit is coupled to the LED and to an input voltage source. A first switching device is coupled in series with the regulator element. A second switching device is coupled to the input voltage and the control circuit. Full Article
or System for eliminating current surges in electronic systems and equipment having intermittent current consumption By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a system for eliminating current surges that includes a first voltage regulator (7) having a current limit programmable to a value (I(limit)) that depends on the value of the intermittent current surges (IO(surge)) required by the intermittent load (3) and the relationship thereof to the work cycle, a second voltage regulator (9), a condenser (4) connected between the first and second regulators (7, 9), that loads when the current is no longer required and that unloads when there is a need for output current to provide current to the second regulator (9) which absorbs the changes in voltage produced by the loading/unloading of the condenser and provides a constant voltage for any value of the required output current surge, independently of voltage changes in the condenser (4), and a control loop between a sensor for the output current provided to the load and an input limit (15) for the input current (II) in the first regulator (7). Thus, the input current (I(limit)) (1) and the output voltage (VLoad) are constant for any value of the output current surge (IO(surge)). Full Article
or Voltage regulator with current limiter By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A voltage regulator includes an amplifier having a first input coupled to a first reference voltage and a second input coupled to a voltage feedback signal; a multiplexer having a first input coupled to an output of the amplifier, a second input coupled to a voltage clamp signal, and a control input; and a control circuit having a first input coupled to an over current indicator, a second input coupled to a no over voltage indicator, a third input coupled to a timer signal, and an output coupled to the control input of the multiplexer. Full Article
or Method and apparatus for optimizing linear regulator transient performance By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A voltage regulator compensation circuit provides power to a dynamic load and includes a power transistor configured to drive the dynamic load, a reference determining transistor configured to establish a voltage reference proportional to a regulated output voltage of the power transistor, and a control circuit coupled to a gate input of both the power transistor and the reference determining transistor. Also included is a comparison engine configured to compare the regulated output voltage and the voltage reference, and a current consuming transistor operatively coupled to an output of the power transistor and configured to provide a varying secondary load. The comparison engine is configured to control the current consuming transistor to increase current draw or decrease current draw from the power transistor based on the difference between the regulated output voltage and the voltage reference. Full Article
or Charge pump regulator circuit with a variable drive voltage ring oscillator By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A charge pump regulator circuit includes a voltage controlled oscillator and a plurality of charge pumps. The voltage controlled oscillator has a plurality of inverter stages connected in series in a ring. A plurality of oscillating signals is generated from outputs of the inverter stages. Each oscillating signal has a frequency or amplitude or both that are variable dependent on a variable drive voltage. Each oscillating signal is phase shifted from a preceding oscillating signal. Each charge pump is connected to a corresponding one of the inverter stages to receive the oscillating signal produced by that inverter stage. Each charge pump outputs a voltage and current. The output of each charge pump is phase shifted from the outputs of other charge pumps. A combination of the currents thus produced is provided at about a voltage level to the load. Full Article
or Switching regulator By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A disclosed switching regulator includes a speed-up circuit for speeding up an operation of an error amplifier circuit during the time starting from when a switching element is turned OFF based on an output of an abnormality detection circuit, or starting from a fixed period of time after the switching element is turned OFF based on the output of the abnormality detection circuit, until the next time the switching element is again turned OFF based on an output of a PWM comparison circuit. Full Article
or High resolution control for a multimode SMPS converter and high resolution slope generator By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In various embodiments a controller for controlling the operation of a switched mode power supply is provided, the controller comprising: a first signal source configured to provide a first set of signals including a set signal and a clear signal, wherein the first set of signals may correspond to a first mode of operation of the switched mode power supply; a second signal source configured to provide a second set of signals including a set signal and a clear signal, wherein the second set of signals may correspond to a second mode of operation of the switched mode power supply; a selecting circuit coupled to the first signal source and to the second signal source, the selecting circuit being configured to select either the first set of signals or the second set of signals; a switching signal generating circuit coupled to the selecting circuit and configured to provide a switching signal to the switched mode power supply based on the set of signals received from the selecting circuit. Full Article
or Pseudo constant on time control circuit and step-down regulator By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A step-down regulator comprising a pseudo constant on time control circuit is disclosed, comprising an on-time generator configured to receive a switching signal provided by the step-down regulator and a control signal provided by the pseudo constant on time control circuit, and generates an on-time signal; a feedback control circuit configured to receive a feedback signal representative of the output voltage of the step-down regulator and generate an output signal; and a logic control circuit coupled to the on-time generator and the feedback control circuit to receive the on-time signal and the output signal and generating the control signal, and a power stage configured to receive an input voltage and the control signal and generate the switching signal. Full Article
or Dynamic maneuvering configuration for multiple control modes in a unified servo system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods that provide control circuits having multiple sub-control inputs that control operation of a power electronics device (e.g., a power converter). Each of the multiple sub-control inputs are output from a separate sub-control circuit that includes a feedback circuit having an input tied to a common control node. The common control node is coupled to an input of a controller (e.g., a PWM controller). Outputs of each of the sub-control circuits are coupled to the common control node by a respective switch (e.g., diode, transistor, etc.) so that each of the sub-control circuits may be selectively coupled to the common control node to provide a control signal to a controller. Since components of each of the feedback compensations circuits are biased at a regulation voltage instead of a higher power supply voltage, the control circuit may switch between control modes with minimal delay. Full Article
or Current mirror circuits in different integrated circuits sharing the same current source By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A current mirror circuit, receiving an input current and outputting a plurality of mirroring currents, comprising: a first transistor, wherein a control terminal and a first terminal of the first transistor are connected to a first mirroring current of the input current; at least one second transistor, wherein a control terminal and a first terminal of the at least one second transistor are connected to the at least one second mirroring current of the input current; and a plurality of third transistors, outputting the plurality of mirroring currents from first terminals of the plurality of third transistors, wherein control terminals of the plurality of third transistors are connected to control terminals of the first transistor and the at least one second transistor. The first transistor, the at least one second transistor and the plurality of third transistors are identical. Full Article
or Power-supply circuit for DC appliance By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A power-supply circuit for a DC appliance includes an input unit including a first terminal and a second terminal so as to receive a DC current, an output unit including a third terminal to output the DC current entered by the input unit and a fourth terminal, a connection unit including a first conductive line and a second conductive line so as to interconnect the input unit and the output unit, a rectifier unit including first to fourth diodes coupled as a bridge diode format so as to rectify the input DC current in a predetermined direction, an inductor unit that is connected in series to the rectifier unit in such a manner that the input DC current is gradually increased from an abrupt change time point of the DC current, and a condenser unit that is connected in series to the inductor unit. Full Article
or Method and device for linearizing a transformer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for linearizing voltage transmission through a transformer including a magnetic core and, input and output windings. A measurement signal is supplied to the input winding at a first frequency and an output signal is measured at the output winding of the transformer, wherein the voltage of the measurement signal may be so low that the transformer operates in a non-linear region. The method includes, for a conditioning signal, selecting a second frequency different from the first frequency, defining an amplitude value of the conditioning signal and supplying the conditioning signal to the input winding at the second frequency with the defined amplitude value so that the transformer operates in its linear region. Full Article
or System and method for driving transistors By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In accordance with an embodiment, a circuit includes a first transistor, a second transistor having a reference node coupled to an output node of the first transistor, and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to couple a second reference node to a control terminal of the second transistor during a first mode of operation, couple a floating reference voltage between the control terminal of the second transistor and the reference terminal of the second transistor during a second mode of operation and during a third mode of operation, and couple a third reference node to the reference terminal of the second transistor during the third mode of operation. The second reference node is configured to have a voltage potential operable to turn-on the second transistor, and the floating reference voltage is operable to turn on the second transistor. Full Article
or System and method for controlling power in a distribution system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An integrated power quality control system includes a transformer with a primary winding, a secondary winding and a compensation winding wound on a magnetic core. A power electronic converter in the system provides a reference voltage to the compensation winding for injecting a series voltage in the secondary winding of the transformer. A controller is utilized to generate a reference control voltage for the power electronic converter based on a power quality control requirement. Full Article
or Control of energy storage system inverter system in a microgrid application By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system that manages a supplemental energy source connected to a power grid uses a two stage control strategy to manage power transfers in and out of the power grid as well as in and out of an energy storage system, such as a battery bank. One stage uses a non-linear transfer function to control an output frequency of a DC-to-AC inverter to limit undesired effects of power transients that occur on the grid. A second stage uses control strategy for transferring energy between the energy storage system and an internal DC link based on a relationship between a voltage on a DC link connecting the first and second stages and a DC link reference voltage, the voltage on the DC link, and a voltage at the energy storage system. The control strategy includes rapid charging, over-charging protection, and grid transient stabilization. Full Article
or Switched mode power supply and a method for operating a switched mode power supply By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 02 Jun 2015 08:00:00 EDT A switched mode power supply provides a reduction of switching losses and increased efficiency. The switched mode power supply includes a first switch coupled to an input terminal configured to receive an input voltage, a second switch, an inductor and an output capacitor. The first switch and the second switch are coupled together at a node, the inductor is coupled between the node and an output terminal, and the output capacitor is coupled to the output terminal. The switched mode power supply further includes a transformer coupled between a control input of the first switch and the node and a pulse generator connected to a control input of the second switch. Further, the transformer includes at most two windings, in particular a primary winding and a secondary winding which are not directly connected to each other. Full Article
or Multi-phase DC-DC converter supplying power to load with plural power stages and information processing device including the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 23 Jun 2015 08:00:00 EDT There is provided a DC-DC converter which converts an input voltage into an output voltage for supply to a load, in which an input terminal receives the input voltage, an output terminal outputs the output voltage, power stages each includes: a high side switch, a low side switch and an inductor, the control unit executes a first mode and a second mode wherein the first mode controls the high side switch and the low side switch in each of the power stages so that a ratio of an output current in each of the power stages to a load current flowing through the load becomes a set value and the second mode controls the high side switch and the low side switch in each of the power stages so that duty ratios of the high side switch and the low side switch are equalized among the power stages. Full Article
or Low-dropout voltage regulator By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 15 Sep 2015 08:00:00 EDT A low-dropout voltage regulator includes a power transistor configured to receive an input voltage and to provide a regulated output voltage at an output voltage node. The power transistor includes a control electrode configured to receive a driver signal. A reference circuit is configured to generate a reference voltage. A feedback network is coupled to the power transistor and is configured to provide a first feedback signal and a second feedback signal. The first feedback signal represents the output voltage and the second feedback signal represents an output voltage gradient. An error amplifier is configured to receive the reference voltage and the first feedback signal representing the output voltage. The error amplifier is configured to generate the driver signal dependent on the reference voltage and the first feedback signal. The error amplifier includes an output stage that is biased with a bias current responsive to the second feedback signal. Full Article
or Control device for switching power supply circuit, and heat pump unit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 Jan 2016 08:00:00 EST A mode controller shifts, along with increase in an electric power in first and second of chopper circuits and, operation modes of the first and the second of the chopper circuits from a first mode to a third mode via a second mode. An operation controller causes, in the first mode, the first of chopper circuit to perform an chopping operation, and the second of chopper circuit to suspend the chopping operation, in the second mode, causes the first and the second of chopper circuits to alternatively perform the chopping operations, and in the third mode causes both of the first and the second of chopper circuits to perform the chopping operations. Full Article
or Counterbalance mechanism for bottom-hinged aircraft fuselage doors By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A counterbalance mechanism for counterbalancing weight of a bottom-hinged door (such as a clamshell-type airstair door of an aircraft) includes an operator handle, a hoist rod pivotally connected at one end to the operator handle and at an opposite end thereof to the door near a bottom region thereof. A force accumulator assembly is provided which includes a force biasing member which accumulates and dissipates a bias force when opening and closing the door, respectively, to provide mechanical counterbalance to the weight of the door. A bellcrank assembly operatively connects the operator handle to the force accumulator. In such a manner, weight counterbalancing of the door is achieved. Full Article
or Device for accommodating objects, trolley, method for manufacturing a trolley, as well as transport means By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A device for accommodating objects, in particular for use in an airplane, comprises at least one panel. The panel has at least one outer edge which is provided with a rim in order to form a shock-absorbing edge. The rim comprises plastic that is integrally molded onto the outer edge of the panel. The device can be an airplane trolley, folding trolley, container or galley. Full Article
or Baggage holder for an aircraft and aircraft having the baggage holder By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Baggage compartment 1 for an aircraft, wherein the baggage compartment 1 comprises a housing 2 and a baggage holder 3, wherein the baggage holder 3 is swivel-mounted about a swivel axis A in the housing 2, wherein, the swivel axis A intersects, in its longitudinal extent, a holder side wall 32 of the baggage holder 3 and/or a housing side wall 21 of the housing 2, wherein the baggage holder 3 can be moved from a closed position G into an open position Ö with a first swivel movement S1 and the baggage compartment 1 is opened and wherein the baggage holder 3 can be moved from the open position Ö into the closed position G with a second swivel movement S2 and the baggage compartment 1 is closed, wherein the baggage compartment 1 comprises a drive device 6 having at least one drive motor 9, wherein the drive device 6 is designed to drive the baggage holder 3 during the first and/or second swivel movement S1; S2 and to open or close the baggage compartment 1, wherein the drive device 6 is connected to the holder side wall 32 on one side and to the housing side wall 21 on the other side. Full Article
or Carrier for space craft By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A spacecraft carrier is disclosed. The carrier has a large internal volume for housing at least one spacecraft. The carrier can be used as a repair and maintenance facility in space for spacecraft. Manned and unmanned devices can be stored, repaired and resupplied. The carrier can also transport a number of spacecraft to other locations allowing for an efficient coordinated movement of many spacecraft. Full Article
or Integrated seat mounted inceptor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An inceptor is provided including a control stick mounted to a seat. The control stick is movable about at least a first axis. A fly-by-wire inceptor control system is housed within a portion of the seat. The inceptor control system is configured to provide input signal indicative of movement of the control stick to a flight control system. Full Article
or Cabin air compressor support bracket By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A support bracket for a cabin air compressor (CAC) assembly includes a CAC mounting portion with a plurality of CAC mounting holes distributed in an arc configuration along a CAC mounting hole circle radius. A support portion includes a ramped face that transitions to an upper lug portion and a substantially perpendicular face relative to the CAC mounting portion. An upper lug extends from the upper lug portion. The upper lug includes a coupling hole that is offset from a first CAC mounting hole of the CAC mounting holes at a length in a first direction and a length in a second direction. A ratio of the CAC mounting hole circle radius to the length in the first direction is between 2.14 and 2.20, and a ratio of the CAC mounting hole circle radius to the length in the second direction is between 1.16 and 1.19. Full Article
or Safety seat and method for reducing stress on an occupant of a motor vehicle By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT In a method for reducing the impact of a force upon a person seated in a safety seat of a motor vehicle at least a seat unit of the safety seat is restrained at least in part by at least one support strap. The support strap is formed with an extension piece configured to lengthen when exposed to a load as a result of an accident or explosion. A winding unit holds the support strap to shorten an effective length of the support strap and to build up a force to maintain the support strap under tension after the support strap underwent a lengthening in an area of the extension piece as a result of a load caused by a force resulting from an accident or explosion so as to reestablish an effective length of the support strap for lengthening during a subsequent force impact. Full Article
or Flight deck lighting for information display By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method and apparatus for lighting a flight deck on an aircraft. A status of the aircraft is identified by a processor unit. The processor unit controls the lighting on the flight deck in response to the status of the aircraft to indicate the status of the aircraft. Full Article
or Airport surface collision-avoidance system (ASCAS) By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods for performing airport surface collision-avoidance. A wingtip-mounted camera allows the pilot to positively ascertain that the wingtip will clear objects located in the video. An exemplary system implemented on an aircraft includes a wingtip module having a camera that generates a video stream and a communication device that transmits the generated video stream. A processor receives the video stream and generates a reticule for the video stream. A display device simultaneously presents the video stream and the reticule. The reticule includes a horizon line and is based on a focal length of a lens of the camera and height of the camera above ground. The reticule includes curved and/or straight distance lines and curved or straight travel lines. The travel line(s) correspond to at least one aircraft component or a zone of importance and are based on location of the camera and trajectory of the aircraft. Full Article