Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090168477 | Power Switching System to Increase Induction Heating to a Load From Available AC Mains Power - In one aspect, the invention provides a power system for providing power to a load. In some embodiment, the system comprises: a rectifier configured to rectify an AC main signal to produce a rectified AC main signal; a zero cross detector configured to receive the AC main signal and to detect when the AC main signal equals zero; a switching device having (i) a first terminal connected to a first node, wherein a first output terminal of the rectifier is also connected to the first node and (ii) a second terminal connected to a second node; a tank circuit having (i) a first terminal coupled to a third node, wherein a second output terminal of the rectifier is also coupled to the third node and (ii) a second terminal coupled to the second node; a current and/or voltage detector connected to the second node; and a controller in communication with the current detector and zero cross detector and configured to turn on and off the switching device based on, at least in part, information received from the zero cross detector and the current and/or voltage detector. | 07-02-2009 |
20100296322 | Power Switching System to Increase Induction Heating to a Load From Available AC Mains Power - In one aspect, the invention provides a power system for providing power to a load. In some embodiment, the system comprises: a rectifier configured to rectify an AC main signal to produce a rectified AC main signal; a zero cross detector configured to receive the AC main signal and to detect when the AC main signal equals zero; a switching device having (i) a first terminal connected to a first node, wherein a first output terminal of the rectifier is also connected to the first node and (ii) a second terminal connected to a second node; a tank circuit having (i) a first terminal coupled to a third node, wherein a second output terminal of the rectifier is also coupled to the third node and (ii) a second terminal coupled to the second node; a current and/or voltage detector connected to the second node; and a controller in communication with the current detector and zero cross detector and configured to turn on and off the switching device based on, at least in part, information received from the zero cross detector and the current and/or voltage detector. | 11-25-2010 |
20140151367 | Dual Edge Phase Detector and Tuning Method That Uses Same - A tuning system for controlling a voltage controlled oscillator is described herein. The tuning system makes use of a dual edge phase detector. | 06-05-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090251182 | Constant Phase Angle Control for Frequency Agile Power Switching Systems - Power switching systems often benefit from controlling the instant at which the power devices change state so as to minimize dissipation in these devices. Such systems often require fairly tight tolerances on reactive components and a relatively narrow frequency operating range to be certain these switching times occur as intended. This invention defines a system that can adapt the required switching instant over very wide changes in the reactive components. | 10-08-2009 |
20100073093 | Automatic Frequency Compensation for Pulse Width Modulated RF Level Control - Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods that automatically correct the desired on-time of switching elements as the resonant frequency changes, so as to maintain the correct proportional value. | 03-25-2010 |
20110011850 | PORTABLE FOOD HEATER - In one aspect, the present invention provides a consumer appliance that uses RF energy to heat foods stored in a container that is suitable for RF heating. | 01-20-2011 |
20110108547 | Food Heater - In one aspect, the present invention provides a consumer appliance that uses RF energy to heat foods stored in a container that is suitable for RF heating. | 05-12-2011 |
20110221493 | Constant Phase Angle Control for Frequency Agile Power Switching Systems - Power switching systems often benefit from controlling the instant at which the power devices change state so as to minimize dissipation in these devices. Such systems often require fairly tight tolerances on reactive components and a relatively narrow frequency operating range to be certain these switching times occur as intended. This invention defines a system that can adapt the required switching instant over very wide changes in the reactive components. | 09-15-2011 |
20140319128 | Dynamic Power Balancing Among Multiple Induction Heater Power Units - A modular RF power system allows multiple power supplies to combine their RF output power as a single system and deliver it to a common resonant circuit. For flexibility and commonality, each power supply is designed to be separately powered by AC line voltage (aka AC Mains). The AC voltage supplied to each power supply may differ due to differing AC distribution line length, line impedance, wire gauge, or different supply generation locations. | 10-30-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090212629 | PHOTOVOLTAIC LADDER INVERTER - Techniques for DC-to-AC conversion are disclosed, and may be embodied in a solar inverter device that can operatively couple to a power grid. The device includes a photovoltaic (PV) stack including series-connected PV modules. Each PV module is associated with a capacitor for storing output of that PV module. A positive terminator circuit switches a negative end of the PV stack to ground during positive half of grid cycle, and a negative terminator switches a positive end of the PV stack to ground during negative half of grid cycle. A connecting branch couples each PV module output to a common bus, each branch including control circuitry configured to selectively couple the corresponding PV module output to bus. During a first half of grid cycle, some of the capacitors discharge to the grid while a balance of the capacitors charge in preparation for discharge during a second half of grid cycle. | 08-27-2009 |
20100012187 | ENCAPSULATION OF A PHOTOVOLTAIC CONCENTRATOR - Techniques are disclosed for protecting a photovoltaic device from the environment. An electrical interconnection is also provided for increased mechanical and electrical protection of the photovoltaic and electrical interconnections between lens cell assemblies configured in an array using an enclosed busway structure. Also provided is a method of leading the electrical contacts from the photovoltaic material within the lens cell assembly such that there is a positive seal provided by the lens encapsulating material. One such embodiment comprises a passage within the lens itself, which serves as a conduit for electrical leads from the photovoltaic material. The internal passage for electrical leads enables the ability to completely wrap and seal the lens assembly with encapsulating film, which in combination with an enclosed busway operatively coupling an array of lens assemblies, allows for a highly manufacturable and secure seal over the photovoltaic system. | 01-21-2010 |
20110067693 | INTEGRATED MOUNT FOR SOLAR PANELS - Apparatus and methods are disclosed for reducing or eliminating the need for an intermediate supporting rack in a solar panel installation, which in turn may lower the cost of the installation. In one exemplary embodiment, a mount design is provided that includes a mounting flange attached to or integrally formed with a first side of a solar panel frame. This first side and flange operate together with a second side of the solar panel frame that is designed to engage with the mounting flange and first side of an adjacent solar panel. The geometry of the first and second sides may be such that they engage upon installation. The engagement may further include pins or similar components protruding from one side of one solar panel to fit into corresponding holes in a side of an adjacent panel. | 03-24-2011 |
20120091808 | PHOTOVOLTAIC LADDER INVERTER - Techniques for DC-to-AC conversion are disclosed, and may be embodied in a solar inverter device that can operatively couple to a power grid. The device includes a photovoltaic (PV) stack including series-connected PV modules. Each PV module is associated with a capacitor for storing output of that PV module. A positive terminator circuit switches a negative end of the PV stack to ground during positive half of grid cycle, and a negative terminator switches a positive end of the PV stack to ground during negative half of grid cycle. A connecting branch couples each PV module output to a common bus, each branch including control circuitry configured to selectively couple the corresponding PV module output to bus. During a first half of grid cycle, some of the capacitors discharge to the grid while a balance of the capacitors charge in preparation for discharge during a second half of grid cycle. | 04-19-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100200522 | System and Method for Water Treatment Regeneration Stage - Embodiments of the invention provide a method and system for providing a regeneration stage in a water treatment system. The method can include entering a first air bleed state to allow pressurized, deoxygenated air to exit the water treatment system, entering a second air bleed state to equalize a first air pressure of remaining deoxygenated air inside the water treatment system with a second air pressure outside the water treatment system, entering a backwash state to expel remaining deoxygenated air and particulates from inside the water treatment system, and entering an air draw state to allow oxygenated air to enter the water treatment system. | 08-12-2010 |
20130306578 | METHOD FOR WATER TREATMENT REGENERATION STAGE - Embodiments of the invention provide a method and system for providing a regeneration stage in a water treatment system. The method can include entering a first air bleed state to allow pressurized, deoxygenated air to exit the water treatment system, entering a second air bleed state to equalize a first air pressure of remaining deoxygenated air inside the water treatment system with a second air pressure outside the water treatment system, entering a backwash state to expel remaining deoxygenated air and particulates from inside the water treatment system, and entering an air draw state to allow oxygenated air to enter the water treatment system. | 11-21-2013 |
20140144845 | METHOD FOR WATER TREATMENT REGENERATION STAGE - Embodiments of the invention provide a method and system for providing a regeneration stage in a water treatment system. The method can include entering a first air bleed state to allow pressurized, deoxygenated air to exit the water treatment system, entering a second air bleed state to equalize a first air pressure of remaining deoxygenated air inside the water treatment system with a second air pressure outside the water treatment system, entering a backwash state to expel remaining deoxygenated air and particulates from inside the water treatment system, and entering an air draw state to allow oxygenated air to enter the water treatment system. | 05-29-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110056099 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE DEPTH OF CUT OF A TRACKHOE BUCKET - An apparatus for controlling the depth of a hoe bucket, including a hoe bucket defining a cutting edge, an elongated member pivotably connected to the bucket, an actuator operationally connected to the elongated member, an electronic controller operationally connected to the actuator, and a position sensor operationally connected to the cutting edge and operationally connected to the electronic controller. The actuator may be energized to pivot the elongated member to a position adjacent the cutting edge for engaging ground, and positioning of the elongated member adjacent the cutting edge prevents the cutting edge from digging ground. | 03-10-2011 |
20110088920 | ATTACHMENT SYSTEM AND LEVELER ATTACHMENT FOR A MECHANICAL HOE - A screed assembly for attachment to the boom arm of a mechanical hoe, including a first elongated member, an elongated ground-engaging structural member extending therefrom, a hoe connection interface and a hydraulic boom connection interface on the first elongated member, and a blade-engaging assembly operationally connected to the first elongated member. An elongated blade portion is pivotably connected to the blade-engaging assembly, a first pivot actuator is operationally connected between the first generally elongated portion and to the blade-engaging assembly, and a second pivot actuator operationally connected to the blade-engaging assembly and the elongated blade portion. Energization of the first pivot actuator pivots the blade engaging assembly relative to the first elongated member and energization of the second pivot actuator pivots the blade relative to the blade-engaging assembly. | 04-21-2011 |
20120066941 | ELONGATED NARROW TRENCHING SCOOP ATTACHMENT FOR A BACKHOE AND METHOD FOR USING THE SAME - An elongated digging attachment for an excavator, including a recessed main body portion, a connection assembly connected to the main body portion, and a ground engaging portion connected to the main body portion and oppositely disposed from the connection assembly. The recessed main body portion defines a concave curvature, the recessed main body portion and the ground engaging portion define a scoop, and the scoop has an aspect ratio of at least about 1:3. | 03-22-2012 |
20120186837 | FIREFIGHTING ATTACHMENT FOR AN EXCAVATOR AND METHOD FOR USING THE SAME - A back hoe attachment for insertion into a burning structure for delivering a water spray, including an elongated hollow tube portion having a tube distal end and a tube proximal end, an elongated blade portion connected to the elongated hollow tube portion and disposed generally parallel to the elongated blade hollow tube portion, a water hose connection interface connected to the tube proximal end, a water diverting portion operationally connected to the tube distal end, and a back hoe connection interface portion operationally connected to the elongated blade member. | 07-26-2012 |
20140222301 | APPARATUS FOR ADAPTING A HOE BUCKET FOR DEPTH CONTROL - A kit for modifying a digging bucket for controlling the depth cut, including an elongated member operationally connectable to a hoe bucket defining a cutting edge, an actuator operationally connectable to the elongated member, an electronic controller operationally connectable to the actuator, and a position sensor operationally connectable to the cutting edge and operationally connectable to the electronic controller. The actuator may be energized to pivot the elongated member to a position adjacent the cutting edge for engaging ground. Positioning of the elongated member adjacent the cutting edge prevents the cutting edge from digging ground. | 08-07-2014 |
20140237866 | APPARATUS FOR ADAPATING A HOE BUCKET FOR DEPTH CONTROL - A kit for modifying a digging bucket for controlling the depth cut, including an elongated member operationally connectable to a hoe bucket defining a cutting edge, an actuator operationally connectable to the elongated member, an electronic controller operationally connectable to the actuator, and a position sensor operationally connectable to the cutting edge and operationally connectable to the electronic controller. The actuator may be energized to pivot the elongated member to a position adjacent the cutting edge for engaging ground. Positioning of the elongated member adjacent the cutting edge prevents the cutting edge from digging ground. | 08-28-2014 |
20150081176 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ENHANCED GRADING CONTROL - A method of operating a digging machine, including damping the response of a boom hydraulic cylinder operationally connected to a boom arm and actuating a bucket hydraulic cylinder operationally connected to a bucket. | 03-19-2015 |