37th week of 2014 patent applcation highlights part 26 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140253059 | ADAPTIVE SWITCHING VOLTAGE REGULATOR - Exemplary embodiments are related to a switching voltage regulator. A device may include a first transistor having a gate configured to receive a first signal and a second transistor having a gate configured to receive a second signal. The device may also include a controller configured to measure at least one of a difference between a rising edge of the first signal and an associated rising edge of the second signal and a difference between a falling edge of the first signal and an associated falling edge of the second signal. The controller may also be configured to delay one of the first signal and the second signal if the rising edge of the first signal occurs before or after the associated rising edge of the second signal or if the falling edge of the first signal occurs before or after the associated falling edge of the second signal. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253060 | VOLTAGE CONVERTER - A voltage converter includes a constant on time signal generator, a first transistor, a second transistor, an inductor, and a ripple injection circuit. The constant on time signal generator generates a first driving signal and a second driving signal. The ripple injection circuit receives an output signal and generates a ripple injection signal. The constant on time signal generator generates the first and second driving signals according to the ripple injection signal, the output signal, and a reference signal. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253061 | SKIP MODE METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR A CURRENT MODE SWITCHING CONVERTER - A method and system to inhibit the switching of a current mode switching converter having high and low side switching elements coupled to an output inductor, the other end of which is coupled to an output node, and operated with respective modulated switching signals to regulate an output voltage Vout produced at the node. A current I | 2014-09-11 |
20140253062 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR BIDIRECTIONAL CURRENT SENSING IN A SWITCHING REGULATOR - Apparatus and methods for current sensing in switching regulators are provided. In certain implementations, a switching regulator includes a switch transistor, a replica transistor, a current source, a sense resistor, and a current sensing circuit. The drain and gate of the switch transistor can be electrically connected to the drain and gate of the replica transistor, respectively. Additionally, the current sensing circuit can control the voltage of the source of the replica transistor based on the polarity of a current through the switch transistor to generate an output current that changes in response to the switch transistor's current. The sense resistor can receive an offset current from the first current source and the output current from the current sensing circuit such that the voltage across the sense resistor changes in relation to the current through the switch transistor. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253063 | CURRENT BALANCING IN A MULTI-PHASE POWER SUPPLY - According to example configurations herein, a controller is operated in a control mode (such as a high-speed control mode) in which the controller controls multiple phases in the power supply to produce an output voltage. The output voltage produced by the controller supplies current to power a dynamic load. While in the (high-speed current balance) control mode, the controller: i) produces, for each of the multiple phases, a respective current value representative of an estimated amount of current supplied by that phase to the dynamic load; and ii) modifies an order of activating the phases based on magnitudes of respective estimated current values produced for the multiple phases. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253064 | BUCK DC-DC CONVERTER WITH IMPROVED ACCURACY AND STABILITY - A buck switching regulator includes a feedback control circuit including a balanced feedback network including first and second gain circuits configured to generate first and second feedback signals, respectively, indicative of the regulated output voltage; a ripple generation circuit configured to inject a first ripple signal to the first gain circuit and a second ripple signal to the second gain circuit; an operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) configured to receive the second feedback signal and a reference signal and to generate an output signal being coupled to a node in the feedback control circuit; and a comparator configured to receive the first feedback signal and a comparator reference signal and to generate a comparator output signal. The output signal of the OTA is applied to the feedback control circuit to cancel a voltage offset in the regulated output voltage due to the injected ripple signal to the first gain circuit. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253065 | REDUCING HIGH-FREQUENCY NOISE IN PULSE-SKIPPING MODE OF A VOLTAGE REGULATOR - Embodiments of systems, methods and apparatuses of a voltage regulator are disclosed. One apparatus of the voltage regulator includes a series switch element, wherein the series switch element comprises a plurality of partitioned series switch elements, a shunt switch element, and a switching controller. The switching controller is operative to control the series switch element and the shunt switch element in an idle state, wherein none of the plurality of partitioned series switch elements are active, control the series switch element and the shunt switch element in a burst state, wherein N of the plurality of partitioned series switch elements are active, and control the series switch element and the shunt switch element in a transition state, wherein M of the plurality of partitioned series switch elements are active, and wherein M is less than N. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253066 | POWER CIRCUIT - According to one embodiment, a power circuit includes an input terminal | 2014-09-11 |
20140253067 | LOW DROP OUT VOLTAGE REGULATOR - A low drop out voltage regulator comprising: a transistor having an input node, an output node, and a control node; a differential amplifier having an output connected to the control node of the transistor and having a first input node; and a feedback capacitor connected between the output node of the transistor and the first input of the differential amplifier, wherein a voltage at the output of the transistor is dependent on a charge across the feedback capacitor. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253068 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR - Provided is a voltage regulator capable of controlling an output voltage to a predetermined voltage quickly after an overshoot occurs in the output voltage. The voltage regulator includes: an overshoot detection circuit configured to detect a voltage that is based on an output voltage of the voltage regulator, and output a current corresponding to an overshoot amount of the output voltage; and an I-V converter circuit configured to control a current flowing through an output transistor based on a current controlled by an output of an error amplifier and a current flowing from the overshoot detection circuit. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253069 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR - Provided is a voltage regulator capable of controlling an output voltage to a predetermined voltage quickly after an undershoot occurs in the output voltage. The voltage regulator includes: an undershoot detection circuit configured to detect a voltage that is based on an output voltage of the voltage regulator, and output a current corresponding to an undershoot amount of the output voltage; and an I-V converter circuit configured to control a current flowing through an output transistor based on a current controlled by an output of an error amplifier and a current flowing from the undershoot detection circuit. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253070 | CONSTANT VOLTAGE CIRCUIT - The constant voltage includes a sense transistor through which a sense current flows based on an output current flowing through an output transistor; a current division circuit for dividing the sense current and outputting divided currents; a first current to voltage conversion circuit for converting a first division current output from the current division circuit to a first voltage; a second current voltage conversion circuit for converting a second division current output from the current division circuit to a second voltage; an output voltage detection circuit for controlling the current division circuit such that a voltage of the output terminal becomes equal to a drain voltage of the sense transistor; and an overcurrent protection circuit for controlling the output voltage and the output current by detecting an overcurrent flowing through the output transistor based on the first voltage. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253071 | System and Method for a Power Supply - In accordance with an embodiment, a method of controlling a power supply node includes measuring a voltage of the power supply node, determining a first current based on the measuring, determining a first current and a second current based on the measuring, and summing the first current and the second current at the power supply node. Determining the first current includes operating a first controller having a first bandwidth, and determining the second current includes operating a second controller having a second bandwidth greater than the first bandwidth. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253072 | VOLTAGE REGULATORS WITH IMPROVED STARTUP, SHUTDOWN, AND TRANSIENT BEHAVIOR - A soft-start/soft-stop (SS) controller for a voltage regulator. The SS controller includes a power up/down detector configured to perform at least one selected from a group consisting of detecting a power on condition of the voltage regulator to determine a start-up time period and detecting a power off condition of the voltage regulator to determine a shut-down time period, and a ramped reference voltage signal generator configured to perform at least one selected from a group consisting of increasing a voltage level of a ramped reference voltage signal using a pre-determined ramp-up rate during the start-up time period and decreasing the voltage level of the ramped reference voltage signal using a pre-determined ramp-down rate during the shut-down time period, wherein the ramped reference voltage signal is supplied to the voltage regulator for controlling an output voltage level of the voltage regulator. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253073 | BI-DIRECTIONAL VOLTAGE POSITIONING CIRCUIT, VOLTAGE CONVERTER AND POWER SUPPLY DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAME - A bi-directional voltage positioning circuit includes a voltage to current converter, a current mirror circuit and a switch. The voltage to current converter converts a sensing voltage to a first current, and the sensing voltage is sensed based on a current flowing through an output coil connected between a switching node and an output node. The current mirror circuit mirrors the first current to generate a second current and a third current, the second current is N times greater than the first current, the third current is M times greater than the first current, and N and M are real numbers greater than zero. The switch provides a feedback node with one of the second current and third current in response to a switching control signal, and an output voltage of the output node is divided at the feedback node. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253074 | TRANSFER FUNCTION GENERATION BASED ON PULSE-WIDTH MODULATION INFORMATION - Exemplary embodiments are related to generating an error correction voltage and/or a compensation voltage based upon pulse-width modulation information. A device may include a pulse-width modulator configured to receive a first input voltage and convey a modulated output voltage. The device may also include a filtering unit including at least one filter configured to receive the modulated output voltage, generate at least one of an error correction voltage and a compensation voltage, and convey a second input voltage to the pulse-width modulator based on at least one of the error correction voltage and a compensation voltage. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253075 | SWITCHING POWER CONVERTER - Exemplary embodiments are related to a switching power converter. A device may include a switching unit configured to receive an input voltage and convey an output voltage. The device may further include a feedback path including a pulse-width modulator having an input directly coupled to the output voltage and configured to convey a signal to the switching unit. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253076 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR - Provided is a voltage regulator capable of, when an overshoot or undershoot occurs in an output voltage, improving the overshoot or undershoot in a wide temperature range and reducing a delay in detection of the overshoot or undershoot. The voltage regulator includes: an error amplifier; an output transistor; and a first transistor including a gate for inputting a reference voltage and a source for inputting an output voltage. The first transistor is configured to cause a current to flow when the output voltage becomes an irregular voltage, and a current of the output transistor is controlled based on the current flowing through the first transistor. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253077 | DRIVE ENHANCEMENT IN SWITCH DRIVER CIRCUITRY - A driver circuitry includes a capacitor, a first switch, and a second switch. The capacitor includes a first node and a second node. The first switch is electrically coupled to the first node of the capacitor. The second switch is electrically coupled to the second node of the capacitor. Additionally, the second node of the capacitor and the second switch are electrically coupled to an output pin of the driver circuitry operable to drive an external switch. As discussed herein, settings of the first switch and the second switch control a voltage outputted from the output pin and charging of the capacitor. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253078 | LOAD DRIVE CIRCUIT - An open load and a supply fault are differentiated between and detected with a simple configuration. A switching element (Q | 2014-09-11 |
20140253079 | SWITCHING CONVERTER WITH ADAPTIVE OFF TIME CONTROL AND THE METHOD THEREOF - A switching converter having a power stage with a main switch to convert an input voltage to an output voltage; a current sense circuit generating a current sense signal indicative of a current flowing through the main switch; a PWM generator generating a PWM signal; an OFF time controller generating an OFF time control signal relating to the input voltage and the output voltage; and a logic circuit generating a switching signal based on the OFF time control signal and the PWM signal to control the main switch. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253080 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ADVANCED PULSE SKIPPING CONTROL IN BUCK REGULATORS - A method and apparatus for determining the entry and exit from a pulse skipping mode in a power supply is provided. The power supply may incorporate a buck regulator. The method begins when current is sensed at an inductor of a power supply. This sensed current is then compared with a predetermined threshold current value. If the comparison reveals that the current is below the predetermined threshold current value, a pulse skipping mode is entered. If the current is found to be above the predetermined threshold the pulse skipping mode is not entered and normal operation continues. The apparatus includes a transconductance amplifier, an offset voltage source, a reference power supply reference voltage source, first and second voltage comparators, and a processor. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253081 | SWITCHING VOLTAGE REGULATOR - Exemplary embodiments are related to a switching voltage regulator. A switching voltage regulator may include a current limit detector configured to detect an over-current condition. The switching voltage regulator may further include a pulse-width modulation (PWM) module coupled to the current limit detector and configured to convey a PWM signal based on a programmed switching frequency and an output voltage and in response to the over-current condition. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253082 | BUCK DC-DC CONVERTER WITH IMPROVED ACCURACY - A buck switching regulator includes a feedback control circuit including a feedback network including first and second gain circuits configured to generate first and second feedback signals, respectively, indicative of the regulated output voltage; a ripple generation circuit configured to inject a ripple signal to the first gain circuit; an operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) configured to receive the second feedback signal and a reference signal and to generate an output signal being coupled to the first gain circuit to adjust the first feedback signal; and a comparator configured to receive the first feedback signal and the reference signal and to generate a comparator output signal. The output signal of the OTA is applied to the first feedback signal to cancel a voltage offset in the regulated output voltage due to the injected ripple signal to the first gain circuit. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253083 | CONTROLLING CURRENT IN A SWITCHING REGULATOR - In one aspect, this disclosure relates to a method of controlling current output from a switching regulator to a load via an inductor. Inductor current information can be sampled at a peak level, such as just before a transistor configured to cause current to flow through the inductor is turned off. The sampled inductor current can be compared with a reference current, and a current limit threshold can be adjusted based on the comparison. The output current of the switching regulator can be controlled based on a comparison of the current limit threshold with an indicator of current flowing through the inductor. This method can accurately and efficiently limit current in a switching regulator. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253084 | POWER CONVERTER CONTROL CIRCUIT - A power converter control circuit includes a feedback circuit and a pulse width modulation signal generating circuit for configuring a power stage circuit to provide power to a load. The feedback circuit generates a first gain signal and a second gain signal according to an output voltage sensing signal coupled with the load. The feedback circuit further generates a feedback signal according to the first gain signal and the second gain signal. The pulse width modulation signal generating circuit configures the operation of the power stage circuit according to the feedback signal and a reference signal. Moreover, the feedback circuit and the pulse width modulation signal generating circuit are configured on the same integrated circuit package. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253085 | Digital programmable control systems - A digital programmable control system, which is composed of a micro control module receives a detection result by using a detection module to detect a voltage and a current on a battery module and a bus module, and a judgment program in the micro control module determines whether the detection result meets a switching condition, and generates a control signal to control a bidirectional conversion module to perform a switching procedure in order to achieve the purpose of high accuracy regulation voltage and current. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253086 | Using Synchronous Converter in Asynchronous Mode to Prevent Current Reversal During Battery Charging - Efficiency of a switch mode power supply (SMPS) is optimized by operating the SMPS in an asynchronous mode when current being supplied therefrom is less than a certain current value and operating the SMPS in a synchronous mode when the current being supplied therefrom is equal to or greater than the certain current value. When the SMPS is operating in the synchronous mode high-side and low-side power transistors alternately turn on and off. When the SMPS is operating in the asynchronous mode only the high-side power transistor turns on and off and the low-side power transistor remains off. When charging a battery with the SMPS discharge of the battery is eliminated when operating in the asynchronous mode at a low current output. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253087 | FIXED VOLTAGE GENERATING CIRCUIT - A fixed voltage generating circuit includes a current mirror, a differential pair, and a resistor coupled to the current mirror. A node of the resistor is coupled to a voltage source. The differential pair includes two resistors coupled to the voltage source for enabling the differential pair to output a fixed voltage. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253088 | FIXED VOLTAGE GENERATING CIRCUIT - A fixed voltage generating circuit includes a current mirror, a differential pair, and a resistor coupled to the current mirror. A node of the resistor is coupled to a voltage source. The differential pair includes two resistors coupled to the voltage source to enable the differential pair outputting a stable output voltage. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253089 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR SWITCHING REGULATOR CURRENT SENSING - Apparatus and methods for current sensing in switching regulators are provided. In certain implementations, a switching regulator includes a switch transistor, a replica transistor, a sense resistor, and a current sensing circuit. The drain and gate of the switch transistor can be electrically connected to the drain and gate of the replica transistor, respectively. The current sensing circuit can generate an output current that varies in response to a sense current from a source of the replica transistor. Additionally, the current sensing circuit can sink the sense current when the sense current flows from the drain to the source of the replica transistor and source the sense current when the sense current flows from the source to the drain of the replica transistor. The sense resistor can receive the output current such that the voltage across the sense resistor changes in relation to the current through the switch transistor. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253090 | CONFIGURABLE INTEGRATED CIRCUIT ENABLING MULTIPLE SWITCHED MODE OR LINEAR MODE POWER CONTROL TOPOLOGIES - An integrated circuit is operable for implementing any of multiple switched mode or linear power control topologies. The integrated circuit includes a control unit, and functional blocks each of which includes circuitry. The control unit is operable selectively to enable particular ones of the functional blocks in response to an input signal indicative of a particular one of the switched mode or linear mode power control topologies. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253091 | DETERMINATION DEVICE, DETERMINATION METHOD, AND NON-TRANSITORY RECORDING MEDIUM - A power measuring device stores in a set phase relation storage whether the load connected to a three-phase, four-wire power source is inductive, capacitive, or neither of them, in other words whether the phase currents are ahead, delayed, or matching phases with respect to the phase voltages, and determines whether the stored phase relation coincides with the determined phase relation. Then, the incorrect connection that cannot be verified in the prior art, more specifically the primary conductors of the current transformers of the current xfrms that are all arranged reversely while the voltage terminals are connected correctly, can be detected as an incorrect arrangement. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253092 | METHOD AND APPARATUS OF DIAGNOSING PLASMA IN PLASMA SPACE - To diagnose plasma in a plasma space, a plurality of floating probes are installed at a plurality of points, respectively, in a plasma space. An electron density ratio at each of the points is calculated by measuring a first probe current of each of the floating probes, the probe current including a DC component. A point ion density and a point electron temperature at each of the points are calculated by measuring a second probe current of each of the floating probes before the electron density ratio is calculated, the second probe current excluding the DC component. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253093 | SERVER RACK FOR IMPROVED DATA CENTER MANAGEMENT - Methods and systems for data center management include collecting sensor data from one or more sensors in a rack; determining a location and identifying information for each asset in the rack using a set of asset tags associated with respective assets; communicating the sensor and asset location to a communication module; receiving an instruction from the communication module; and executing the received instruction to change a property of the rack. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253094 | METHOD FOR THE RAPID INTERROGATION OF A PASSIVE SENSOR, IN PARTICULAR OF THE SURFACE ACOUSTIC WAVES TYPE, AND SYSTEM FOR MEASURING THE UNIQUE FREQUENCY OF SUCH A SENSOR - For passive sensor with resonator having a natural frequency, a method comprises: a first phase emission of an electromagnetic signal toward the passive sensor at an emission frequency, the resonator oscillating in a forced regime at the emission frequency and then oscillating at its natural frequency when the emission is cut off; a first phase reception of the damped signal oscillating at natural frequency emitted by passive sensor, a measurement of the frequency being performed; a second phase emission of an electromagnetic signal at the measured frequency toward the passive sensor, the resonator oscillating in a forced regime at the measured frequency and then oscillating at its natural frequency when the emission is cut off; a second phase reception of the damped signal oscillating at natural frequency, a measurement of the frequency being performed, determination of the natural frequency being stopped due to measurement performed in this second reception phase. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253095 | PHASE DETECTING SYSTEM FOR THREE PHASE ALTERNATING CURRENT - An alternating current phase detecting system includes a first arithmetic circuit, a second arithmetic circuit, and an inverted output module connected to the second arithmetic circuit. The first arithmetic circuit receives any first alternating current signal and the second arithmetic circuit receives a second alternating current signal. The first alternating current signal is converted to a first output signal and is output to the second arithmetic circuit. The second arithmetic circuit outputs a second output signal to the inverted output module which is fed by the second alternating current signal and the first output signal. The inverted output module obtains a phase value difference between the first alternating current signal and the second alternating current signal to establish 120 degree sequentiality between the two, or otherwise, to enable correct electrical connections to be made to a powered device. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253096 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR TRACKING ENERGY CONSUMPTION - The invention relates to an apparatus and method for tracking energy consumption. An energy tracking system comprises at least one switching element, at least one inductor and a control block to keep the output voltage at a pre-selected level. The switching elements are configured to apply the source of energy to the inductors. The control block compares the output voltage of the energy tracking system to a reference value and controls the switching of the switched elements in order to transfer energy for the primary voltage into a secondary voltage at the output of the energy tracking system. The electronic device further comprises an ON-time and OFF-time generator and an accumulator wherein the control block is coupled to receive a signal from the ON-time and OFF-time generator and generates switching signals for the at least one switching element in the form of ON-time pulses with a constant ON-time. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253097 | System, Method, and Apparatus for a Safe Powerline Communications Instrumentation Front-End - A safe powerline communications instrumentation front end device including a voltage input for receiving a line voltage from a powerline, a voltage reducer for reducing the voltage of the line voltage, a filtering system for extracting a Power Line Communications (PLC) signal from the line voltage, and an analog output for outputting the PLC signal as an analog signal for communications test equipment | 2014-09-11 |
20140253098 | VOLTAGE PEAK DETECTION CIRCUIT AND DETECTION METHOD - In one embodiment, a voltage peak detection circuit can include: (i) a voltage coupling circuit configured to inductively couple an input inductor voltage of a switching power supply, and to generate a first voltage that represents a DC input voltage of the switching power supply; (ii) a voltage conversion circuit configured to receive the first voltage, and to generate a second voltage that is proportional to the first voltage; and (iii) a holding circuit configured to hold a peak of the second voltage to generate a peak voltage signal that represents peak information of the DC input voltage. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253099 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE ON DEVICE INTERFACE BOARD AND TEST SYSTEM USING THE SAME - A semiconductor device, which is mounted on a device interface board to interface an electrical measuring signal between automated test equipment (ATE) and a device under test (DUT), includes an AC test unit, a DC test unit, a first input/output (I/O) interface unit, and a second I/O interface unit. The AC test unit tests an AC characteristic of the DUT. The DC test unit provides a DC test path according to attributes of I/O terminals of the DUT. The first I/O interface unit selectively connects the AC test unit or the DC test unit to the ATE in response to a mode control signal. The second I/O interface unit selectively connects the AC test unit or the DC test unit to the DUT in response to the mode control signal. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253100 | ELECTRICAL CURRENT SENSOR WITH GROUNDED MAGNETIC CORE - An electrical current transducer comprising a housing, at least one magnetic core comprising an air gap and defining a central passage configured to receive a primary conductor carrying a primary current to be measured through the central passage, a magnetic field detector positioned at least partially in the air gap, and a grounding element. A lateral surface of the magnetic core is positioned against the grounding element without direct fixed attachment between the magnetic core and the grounding element, and the grounding element overlaps the magnetic core to an extent configured to ensure that a capacitive coupling (C3) between the magnetic core and the grounding element is greater than a capacitive coupling (C2) between the magnetic core and the magnetic field detector. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253101 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MEASURING REAL-TIME CURRENT - A system and method of measuring real-time current is disclosed. The method includes calibrating a voltage measurement device. Calibrating includes measuring a real-time voltage difference between a first measurement node located proximate a first connector on a motherboard and a second measurement node located proximate a second connector on a power supply unit (PSU), the first and the second connectors coupled to provide power to the motherboard. Calibrating further includes averaging the real-time voltage difference for a plurality of measurements; computing a resistance of the coupling based at least on a long-duration averaged current from the PSU and the averaged real-time voltage difference, the resistance varying over time; and reporting the resistance of the coupling to the voltage measurement device. The method also includes measuring a real-time current of the PSU at the voltage measurement device based at least on the resistance of the coupling and the real-time voltage difference. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253102 | CURRENT MEASUREMENT - The present invention relates to current measurement apparatus | 2014-09-11 |
20140253103 | CURRENT SENSOR - A current sensor comprises a housing of plastic, a current conductor with integrally shaped first and second electrical terminals, through which a current to be measured is supplied and discharged, third electrical terminals, and a semiconductor chip having at least one magnetic field sensor, which is sensitive to a component of the magnetic field generated by the current flowing through the current conductor running perpendicularly to the surface of the semiconductor chip. The first and second electrical terminals are arranged at a first side of the housing, the third electrical terminals are arranged at a side of the housing opposite to the first side. The semiconductor chip is mounted as flip chip. The semiconductor chip comprises first bumps, which make electrical connections to the third terminals, and second bumps located above the current conductor and electrically separated from the semiconductor chip by an isolation layer. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253104 | METHOD OF DETERMINING A ROTOR DISPLACEMENT ANGLE - A method of determining a rotor displacement angle of a synchronous generator having a rotor and electrically connected to a power supply network uses at least one rotary speed measuring device. During a revolution of the rotor, in particular during each revolution of the rotor, the measuring device communicates at least one rotary speed signal to an evaluation unit. A frequency measuring device communicates a frequency signal to the evaluation unit for each period duration of a voltage signal of the power supply network. A time duration between communication of the rotary speed signal and communication of the frequency signal is determined by the evaluation unit, and the rotor displacement angle is inferred in dependence on the determined time duration. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253105 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING A ROTARY SPEED OF A DEVICE - A device configured for rotary speed measurement includes a speed transmitter on which segments are distributed across a radial circumference and a sensor that is substantially stationary relative to the speed transmitter. A method for determining the rotary speed of the device includes continuously determining pass-through times of all segments relative to the sensor, continuously determining revolution times of the speed transmitter by summing the pass-through times of all segments over a complete revolution, and continuously determining the speed from the revolution times. The revolution times are determined after each pass-through of a segment relative to the sensor and the most current pass-through times of all segments are used for determining each revolution time. Since the time for a full revolution is calculated for each segment respectively, differences in the length of individual segments due to production do not have any negative influence on the calculation of speed. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253106 | OFF-CENTER ANGLE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM - A method for measuring an angular position of a rotating shaft, the method including providing a magnetic field which rotates with the shaft about an axis of rotation, positioning an integrated circuit having first and second magnetic sensing bridges within the magnetic field at a radially off-center position from the axis of rotation, the first and second magnetic sensing bridges respectively providing first and second signals representative of first and second magnetic field directions, the integrated circuit having a set of adjustment parameters for modifying attributes of the first and second signals, modifying values of the set of adjustment parameters until errors in the first and second signals are substantially minimized, and determining an angular position of the shaft based on the first and second signals. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253107 | Inductive Sensor with Demodulator - A transconductor converts voltage on an inductive sensor to a proportional current using two “coupling” capacitors. Responsive to movement of an electrically conductive target from the null position a resonant current is formed between the two sensor coils. A single differential transistor pair switched by periodic drive signals commutes the net alternating current at the single input to direct current. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253108 | METHOD AND SENSOR FOR SENSING CURRENT IN A CONDUCTOR - A sensor comprises an inductor for sensing an alternating current signal component of an observed signal. The inductor comprises a substrate, conductive traces associated with different layers of the substrate, and one or more conductive vias for interconnecting the plurality of conductive traces. A magnetic field sensor senses a direct current signal component of the observed signal. A first filtering circuit has a high-pass filter response. The first filtering circuit is coupled to the inductor to provide a filtered alternating current signal component. A second filtering circuit has a low-pass filter response. The second filtering circuit coupled to the magnetic field sensor to provide a filtered direct current signal component. A sensor fusion circuit determines an aggregate sensed current based on the filtered alternating current signal component and the filtered direct current signal component. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253109 | METHOD AND SENSOR FOR SENSING CURRENT IN A CONDUCTOR - A sensor comprises primary ferrite members spaced apart from the magnetic field sensor on opposite sides of the magnetic field sensor concentrate or steer an orientation of a magnetic field of the observed signal toward a target area of the magnetic field sensor. A magnetic field sensor senses a direct current signal component or lower frequency component of the observed signal. A first filtering circuit has a high-pass filter response. The first filtering circuit is coupled to the inductor to provide a filtered alternating current signal component. A second filtering circuit has a low-pass filter response. The second filtering circuit coupled to the magnetic field sensor to provide a filtered direct current signal component. A sensor fusion circuit determines an aggregate sensed current based on the filtered alternating current signal component and the filtered direct current signal component. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253110 | Magnetostrictive Sensor Having Crimped Magnetostrictive Strip for High Temperature Operation - A sensor for use in magnetostrictive testing of a structure. The sensor has a thin ferromagnetic strip with a series of parallel crimps across its width. A first wire coil is wrapped around the width of the strip and along its entire length, such that portions of wire that cross the bottom surface of the strip are located inside the crimps, and portions of wire that are wrapped across the top surface of the strip are between the crimps. The sensor further has a second coil wrapped around the length of the strip, or for pipeline applications, around the pipeline. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253111 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LOCALIZATION OF OPEN DEFECTS IN ELECTRONIC DEVICES WITH A DC SQUID BASED RF MAGNETOMETER - Non-destructive localization of open defects in electronic devices is performed with a DC SQUID based RF magnetometer capable of sensing coherent magnetic fields up to 200 MHz and higher. RF magnetic fields (or RF current) images are correlated to conductive paths layout of the electronic device, and the open defect is pinpointed at a location of RF current disappearance on the current image. The bandwidth limitations associated with transmission line delays between SQUID circuit and readout electronic, as well as with near-field coupling between different parts of the measurement scheme, are overcome by superimposing the RF flux emanating from device under study on the modulation flux to produce at the SQUID output a binary phase modulated RF voltage, which is processed to lock the static flux, and to control modulation regime by producing an AC bias for the RF flux. RF readout electronics is based on a double lock-in through sequential demodulation of the RF component of the output SQUID voltage at the modulation flux frequency ω | 2014-09-11 |
20140253112 | MAGNETIC FIELD PROBE AND PROBE HEAD THEREOF - A magnetic field probe and a probe head thereof are disclosed herein. The probe head includes an inner metal layer, a shielding unit, and a filtering unit. The inner metal layer receives a magnetic field to be measured. The shielding unit, including a first shielding metal layer and a second shielding metal layer, shields the inner metal layer. The first and the second shielding metal layer are respectively stacked above and below the inner metal layer. The filtering unit, including a first filtering metal layer and a second filtering metal layer, filters out an electric field interfering with the inner metal layer. The first filtering metal layer is stacked between the first shielding metal layer and the inner metal layer. The second filtering metal layer is stacked between the second shielding metal layer and the inner metal layer. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253113 | GEOMAGNETIC SENSOR - A geomagnetic sensor includes: a core that constitutes a closed magnetic circuit; a pair of coils that are wound around the core in positions facing each other and are connected in series to generate magnetic flux in the same circumferential direction in the core; an excitation power supply that applies an alternating current with a superimposed direct current to the pair of coils; and a detection circuit that is connected to a connection point of the pair of coils. Unlike a conventional flux gate type geomagnetic sensor, it is not required to excite the core until the core is magnetically saturated, and it is therefore possible to reduce power consumption. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253114 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING FORCE INFORMATION IN A MAGNETIC FIELD ENVIRONMENT - The disclosure is directed at a method of providing force feedback information experienced by an object of interest (OOI) within a magnetic field comprising determining location of OOI within the magnetic field; determining new location of OOI within the magnetic field; determining expected position of the OOI within the magnetic field; comparing the new location with the expected position of the OOI and calculating force feedback information being experienced on the OOI. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253115 | MAGNETIC FIELD CURRENT SENSORS - Current sensors, conductors and methods are disclosed. In an embodiment, a magnetic current sensor comprises a conductor comprising a first sheet metal layer having a first thickness and comprising at least one hole, and a second sheet metal layer having a second thickness less than the first thickness and comprising at least one notch, the second sheet metal layer being coupled to the first sheet metal layer such that the at least one hole of the first sheet metal layer at least partially overlaps with the at least one notch of the second sheet metal layer; and an integrated circuit (IC) die comprising at least one magnetic sensor element and being coupled to the conductor such that the at least one magnetic sensor element is generally aligned with a tip of the at least one notch of the second sheet metal layer. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253116 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE MEASUREMENTS ON RESERVOIR FLUIDS FOR PREDICTION OF FLUID PROPERTIES - A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurement system for high pressure and temperature measurements on fluids is disclosed. The system has a sensor assembly that includes a sample holder having a body formed from a non-magnetic metal and defining an interior cavity for receiving a fluid sample, a frame member disposed in the interior cavity of the sample holder, an antenna coil disposed in the interior cavity about the frame member, an inlet that allows the fluid sample to enter the interior cavity, an outlet that allows for the fluid sample to be flushed from the interior cavity, and a magnet assembly having a central bore in which the sample holder is disposed. Adjacent to the sample holder are pulsed field gradient coils for performing diffusion measurements. The system further includes pulse sequencer circuitry that supplies signals to the antenna coil. When the interior cavity of the sample holder is filled with the fluid sample, the antenna coil and the frame member are at least partially submerged in the fluid sample, and the antenna coil obtains NMR measurements of the fluid sample in response to the signals. Related methods and apparatuses are also disclosed herein. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253117 | MEANS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING THE ELECTROMAGNETIC ENERGY PROPAGATION FROM AN MRD'S MAGNET-BORE TO THE OUTER ENVIRONMENT SURROUNDING SAID MAGNET, AND VICE VERSA - An electrically earthed protecting sleeve that reduces the electromagnetic energy propagation from a magnetic bore to the outer environment surrounding a magnet. The sleeve has a distal portion located within an open bore of an magnetic resonance device (MRD) and a proximal portion attachable to an aperture of the MRD. The sleeve accepts a non-imaged portion of a body portion inserted within the bore while the imaged portion protrudes from the distal end of sleeve. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253118 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING K-SPACE VIEWS AND DIFFUSION WEIGHTING DIRECTIONS USING CENTROIDAL VORONOI TESSELLATIONS - Described here are a system and method for generating uniform antipodally symmetric point sets that define diffusion-weighting directions or three-dimensional radial k-space trajectories for magnetic resonance imaging. The point sets are generated robustly and efficiently using a constrained centroidal Voronoi tessellation endowed with a pseudometric. This pseudometric is derived from a measure of the electrostatic energy of points distributed on a hemispherical surface. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253119 | NOISE CANCELING IN-SITU NMR DETECTION - Technologies applicable to noise canceling in-situ NMR detection and imaging are disclosed. An example noise canceling in-situ NMR detection apparatus may comprise one or more of a static magnetic field generator, an alternating magnetic field generator, an in-situ NMR detection device, an auxiliary noise detection device, and a computer. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253120 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCING RADIO FREQUENCY PEAK VOLTAGE AND POWER REQUIREMENTS IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING USING TIME-SHIFTED MULTIBAND RADIO FREQUENCY PULSES - A system and method for producing images depicting a plurality of slice locations in a subject using a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”} system is provided. In particular, the system and method utilize time-shifted multiband radio frequency (“RF”} pulses to lower peak voltage and peak power requirements when using conventional multiband RF pulses. A time-shifted multiband RF pulse includes at least two component RF pulses, which may be single-band or multiband pulses. The component RF pulses are designed such that they do not have temporal footprints that completely overlap; although, they may have temporal foot-prints that partially overlap or do not overlap at all. The MRI system is used to acquire magnetic resonance signals formed in response to a time-shifted multiband RF pulse and, from these acquired signals, images depicting each of the plurality of slice locations in the subject are reconstructed. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253121 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND IRRADIATION MAGNETIC FIELD DISTRIBUTION MEASUREMENT METHOD - To obtain the irradiation magnetic field distribution of each channel of a multichannel transmission RF coil at high speed, for multiple channels which are all or some of the channels of the transmission coil, an image is acquired by irradiation with one channel or a combination of two or more channels, an irradiation magnetic field distribution upon irradiation with all of the multiple channels is acquired, and the irradiation magnetic field distribution of each channel is calculated using the acquired irradiation magnetic field distribution of all of the multiple channels and the phase difference calculated from the image of each channel and the image of all of the multiple channels. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253122 | MRI COIL ASSEMBLY WITH A RADIO FREQUENCY SHIELD SWITCHABLE BETWEEN A BLOCKING STATE AND A TRANSPARENT STATE - The invention provides for a magnetic resonance imaging system ( | 2014-09-11 |
20140253123 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PREPARING A SENSITIVITY MAP - A magnetic resonance apparatus configured to select a coil mode that includes a combination of coil elements to be used when a subject is scanned from within a plurality of coil elements and configured to execute a predetermined scan for acquiring data on the subject using the selected coil mode is provided. The magnetic resonance apparatus includes a coil device having n coil modes, a selecting unit configured to select, from within the n coil modes, a candidate for the selected coil mode, a scanning unit configured to execute a first scan for acquiring the data on the subject using the candidate, and a sensitivity map preparing unit configured to prepare a sensitivity map of the candidate based on data obtained by the first scan. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253124 | NMR probe head with variable RF resonant circuit capacitor which can be adjusted in steps via a piezo-electric actuator - An NMR probe head has a capacitor with a dielectric ( | 2014-09-11 |
20140253125 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNET FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit and a shield. The imaging unit is configured to perform a magnetic resonance imaging of an object by transmitting a radio frequency signal from a radio frequency coil in a condition that magnetic fields are formed by a gradient coil and a superconducting magnet respectively. The shield is configured to form a gradient magnetic field for the magnetic resonance imaging with the gradient coil and to prevent an ingress of a heat into the superconducting magnet. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253126 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND ANTENNA DEVICE - In order to provide a technique which can suppress coupling to homogenize the spatial distribution of an RF magnetic field and can improve penetration of the RF magnetic field into the subject, pad-like electric field conductors having a predetermined area are provided outside both ends of a rung conductor as a part of a configuration which forms a loop-like circuit and is driven as an antenna. An antenna device includes a sheet-like conductor, a rung conductor which is arranged at a predetermined distance from the sheet-like conductor, two electric field conductors which are arranged in both end portions of the rung conductor at a predetermined distance from the sheet-like conductor, and connection terminals which are transmission and reception terminals provided in the rung conductor and the sheet-like conductor. The rung conductor and the sheet-like conductor configure a loop circuit which resonates at a preset frequency. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253127 | TRANSVERSE-ELECTROMAGNETIC (TEM) RADIO-FREQUENCY COIL FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE - The present invention provides a transverse-electromagnetic (TEM) radio-frequency coil ( | 2014-09-11 |
20140253128 | Fluid Determination In A Well Bore - A fluid measurement system ( | 2014-09-11 |
20140253129 | Silicon Controlled Rectifier Control of Deep Towed Electromagnetic Source - A method and apparatus for generating an electromagnetic (EM) field from a sub-sea source is disclosed. In one embodiment, a sub-sea source includes a step-down transformer coupled to receive a sinusoidal source wave via a tow cable, and is further coupled to output a sinusoidal wave to a silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) circuit. A control circuit coupled to the SCR circuit is configured to selectively activate various ones of the SCRs therein in order to control a portion of the sinusoidal wave that is rectified. The output current provided by the SCR is determined by the portion of the sinusoidal wave that is rectified thereby. The output current is provided to electrodes coupled to the sub-sea source, and the output current is passed therebetween. The strength of the EM field is based on the output current. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253130 | Feedthrough Assembly For Well-Logging Tool - A well-logging tool for a geological formation has a housing to be positioned within a borehole and has first and second openings. A feedthrough assembly includes an elongate electrical conductor having opposing first and second ends and a medial portion extending therebetween. An integrally formed, monolithic, dielectric layer surrounds the elongate electrical conductor and includes a first enlarged diameter end portion surrounding the first end of the elongate electrical conductor and is positioned within the first opening. A second enlarged diameter end portion surrounds the second end of the elongate electrical conductor and is positioned within the second opening. A reduced diameter portion surrounds the medial portion of the elongate electrical conductor. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253131 | Apparatus and Method for Directional Resistivity Measurement While Drilling Using Slot Antenna - An apparatus for making directional resistivity measurements of a subterranean formation includes a resistivity tool with a longitudinal axis and an outer surface, multiple slots formed on the outer surface of the resistivity tool and oriented substantially parallel to the longitude axis of the resistivity tool, and multiple wires posited in the slots and electrically connecting end walls of the slots to form magnetic dipole antennas. The mantic dipole antennas form at least one transmitter-receiver antenna group to perform transmission and reception of electromagnetic signals. A corresponding method for making directional resistivity measurements is also provided. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253132 | SWITCHABLE FRONT-END MEASUREMENT UNIT FOR TOWED MARINE ELECTROMAGNETIC STREAMER CABLES - Electromagnetic streamer cables and methods of use. Example systems include: a first electrode, the first electrode at a first location along the streamer cable; a second electrode at a second location along the streamer cable; a first sensor module electrically coupled to the first electrode and second electrode, the first sensor module configured to measure a voltage across the first and second electrodes; a third electrode at a third location between the first and second electrodes; a fourth electrode at a fourth location along the streamer cable, the fourth location distal to the second location; and a second sensor module electrically coupled to the third electrode and fourth electrode, the second sensor module configured to measure a voltage across the third and fourth electrodes. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253133 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING EL DISPLAY APPARATUS - The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing an EL display apparatus including a light-emitting portion in which a light emitting layer is disposed between a pair of electrodes, a thin film transistor array device for controlling light emission of the light-emitting portion, and an EL display panel in which a plurality of pixels of colors of R, G, and B are disposed. After production of the EL display panel, an inspection step is performed to apply, to each of the pixels, a voltage which is preset for each of the colors of R, G, and B of the pixels, the voltage applied in the inspection step is a potential difference that is a reverse bias voltage opposite to an anode voltage and a cathode voltage during lighting, and the potential difference allows a faulty pixel to turn to a dead dot. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253134 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETECTING THE AMOUNT OF CHARGE OF A BATTERY - An electronic device and a corresponding method for detecting the amount of charge of a battery are provided. The electronic device includes a battery, a detector, and a processor. The battery provides the electric energy needed by the electronic device. The detector detects a parameter of the battery. The parameter is related to the amount of charge of the battery. The detector sends a signal when the parameter changes. The processor obtains the parameter from the detector in response to the signal. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253135 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DIAGNOSING ABNORMALITY IN CELL BALANCING CIRCUIT - Disclosed is an apparatus and method for diagnosing an abnormality in a cell balancing circuit in a battery pack including a plurality of cells corresponding to each cell balancing circuit. The present disclosure turns off cell balancing switches included in a cell balancing circuit to be diagnosed and an adjacent cell balancing circuit among the cell balancing circuits. Also, the present disclosure stores a voltage value between nodes of the cell (hereinafter referred to as a ‘diagnosis voltage value’) by turning on the cell balancing switch of the cell balancing circuit to be diagnosed. Also, the present disclosure calculates a difference value between adjacent cell voltage values (hereinafter referred to as a ‘cell difference value’) and a difference value between adjacent diagnosis voltage values (hereinafter referred to as a ‘diagnosis difference value’). | 2014-09-11 |
20140253136 | SURFACE POTENTIAL MEASURING APPARATUS AND SURFACE POTENTIAL MEASURING METHOD - An apparatus for measuring a surface potential of an object on an underlying structure is disclosed. A relatively-moving mechanism moves a probe and a second support member relative to each other until the probe faces a reference structure on the second support member, an electric potential measuring device measures the surface potential of the reference structure through the probe, the controller calibrates the electric potential measuring device such that a measured value of the surface potential of the reference structure becomes 0, the relatively-moving mechanism moves the probe and a first support member relative to each other until the probe faces the object on the first support member after the calibration, and the electric potential measuring device measures the surface potential of the object through the probe. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253137 | TEST PATTERN DESIGN FOR SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES AND METHOD OF UTILIZING THEREOF - Methods and systems for the detection of defects in semiconductors, semiconductor devices, or substrates are provided. Semiconductors, semiconductor devices or substrates having novel test patterns and or designs are also provided. The semiconductors, semiconductor devices or substrates have a plurality of line patterns, which, in response to a responsive stimulus such as electron beam irradiation, produces a response. The responsive stimulus may include an electron beam irradiation, and the image data can be collected and processed to produce an image or images that indicate the presence or absence of surface and/or internal defects. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253138 | GROUND FAULT DETECTION DEVICE, GROUND FAULT DETECTION METHOD, SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM, AND GROUND FAULT DETECTION PROGRAM - In a ground fault detection device, two photovoltaic strings are disconnected from a photovoltaic power generation system, measurement for one photovoltaic string is performed by a measuring instrument, and in parallel therewith, the other photovoltaic string before measurement is charged/discharged by a charging/discharging unit by executing various functions of the calculation control unit. In other words, charging/discharging of the photovoltaic string is performed in advance at the same timing as the measurement of the photovoltaic string so that the measurement can be performed immediately after the photovoltaic string is connected to the measuring instrument in a subsequent step. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253139 | FAULT DETECTION SYSTEM WITH LEAKAGE CURRENT DETECTION - A fault detection system for a machine having a plurality of electrical conducting elements insulated from a frame ground of the machine is disclosed. The fault detection system may include a high voltage DC power source, a positive high voltage bus connected to a positive terminal of the high voltage DC power source and providing high voltage electrical power to the plurality of electrical conducting elements, and a negative high voltage bus connected to a negative terminal of the high voltage DC power source and returning high voltage electrical power from the plurality of electrical conducting elements. At least one of the positive and negative high voltage buses may be selectively connected through a plurality of switches to plural zones of the electrical conducting elements, with each of the plural zones being electrically connected in parallel, and selectively connected to the high voltage DC power source by one of the plurality of switches. A low voltage DC power source may be configured to form part of a leakage current detector selectively connected through each of the plurality of switches to each of the plural zones for detecting leakage current between an electrical conducting element and the frame ground. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253140 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING ABNORMALITIES WITHIN A CIRCUIT OF AN ELECTROSURGICAL GENERATOR - An electrosurgical generator includes primary and test sources. The primary source supplies a primary signal and the test source supplies a test signal. The electrosurgical generator includes an output circuit and an abnormality detection circuit. The output circuit is electrically coupled to the primary and test sources. The output circuit receives the primary and test signals from the primary and test sources, respectively. The output circuit is electrically coupled to a load to supply the primary signal thereto. The abnormality detection circuit is electrically coupled to the output circuit to detect an abnormality therein as a function of the test signal. The abnormality detection circuit can also determine a location of the abnormality within the output circuit. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253141 | Detecting Power Supply Sag in an Integrated Circuit - An integrated circuit is provided with a voltage sag detector (VSD) within the integrated circuit package. The VSD is coupled to a voltage reference and to the power distribution bus within the integrated circuit. The VSD has an output for indicating when a voltage level on the power distribution bus sags below a voltage level provided by the voltage reference. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253142 | METHOD FOR TESTING COMPONENTS AND MEASURING ARRANGEMENT - In accordance with one embodiment, a method for testing a plurality of electronic components is provided, including subdividing the plurality of electronic components into a plurality of first groups and subdividing the plurality of electronic components into a plurality of second groups. The method may further include measuring, for each first group, an electrical parameter of an interconnection of the components of the first group; measuring, for each second group, an electrical parameter of an interconnection of the components of the second group, and determining which electronic components of the plurality of electronic components have a predefined property, on the basis of the result of the measurement of the electrical parameter for the first groups and on the basis of the result of the measurement of the electrical parameter for the second groups. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253143 | ICT FIXTURE AUTO OPEN AND EJECT SYSTEM - An in-circuit testing auto open and close system, apparatus and method includes an in-circuit tester having an upper panel and a lower panel, wherein the upper and lower panels are used to test electrical connections of one or more electronic units. One or more actuators are each coupled to both the upper panel and the lower panel such that they are able to move the upper and lower panels with respect to each other. As a result, a controller coupled with the in-circuit tester and the actuators is able to cause the actuators to automatically close the panels such that the panels sandwich the electronic units at the beginning of a testing program and to automatically open the panels such that the panels are separated at the end of the testing program. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253144 | SPENT CARTRIDGE DETECTION METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AN ELECTRONIC SMOKING ARTICLE - The present disclosure relates to articles (and the manufacture thereof) that use electrical energy to heat a material to form an inhalable substance, the articles being sufficiently compact to be considered “hand-held” devices. In certain embodiments, the articles can particularly be characterized as smoking articles. The smoking article can be adapted to detect the status of a cartridge portion of the smoking article. The smoking article includes a control body portion having a control body engagement end, wherein the control body portion houses a control component and a power source therein. The article further includes a cartridge body portion that has a cartridge body engagement end configured to removably engage the control body engagement end of the control body portion. The cartridge body portion houses a consumable arrangement and a heating connection operably engaged therewith comprising at least one heating element and a fusible link. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253145 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TESTING FUSE BLOW RELIABILITY FOR INTEGRATED CIRCUITS - System and method for testing the reliability of a fuse blow condition. The fuse blow detection circuit includes a fuse circuit comprising a fuse having a first end coupled to ground. A common node is coupled to the second end of the fuse. A pre-charge circuit is coupled to the common node for pre-charging the common node to a pre-charged HIGH level. An inverter includes an inverter output and an inverter input, wherein the inverter input is coupled to the common node. A feedback latch is coupled between a voltage source and ground, and includes a latch input that is coupled to the inverter output and a latch output coupled to the common node. A test circuit is included that is coupled to the common node, wherein in a normal mode the test circuit adds strength to the feedback latch for purposes of maintaining the common node at the pre-charged HIGH level, such that in a test mode the feedback latch is weaker than in the normal mode for purposes of maintaining the common node at the pre-charged HIGH level. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253146 | Electrical Test Switch - Disclosed herein are various embodiments of electrical test switches. According to one embodiment, a test switch may include a switch lever, a test port configured to directly couple to a standard connector, a relay port, a field port, and an insulated frame configured to electrically insulate at least some electrically conductive portions of the test port, the relay connector, and the field connector from contact by a user. A user may actuate the switch lever in order to reconfigure the electrical test switch from a first configuration to a second configuration. In the first configuration, the test port contact is electrically isolated from the relay connector and the field connector is electrically connected to the relay connector. In the second configuration, the test port contact is electrically connected to the relay connector and the relay connector is electrically isolated from the field connector. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253147 | FMCW RADAR LEVEL GAUGE WITH LOCK STATE CONTROL - The present invention relates to a radar level gauge system comprising PLL circuitry for generating an output signal. The PLL circuitry is configured to indicate a lock state of the PLL circuitry; and signal modifying circuitry is connected to the PLL circuitry for receiving the output signal and for modifying at least one property of the output signal for forming the transmit signal. The signal modifying circuitry is arranged and configured to receive a PLL status signal indicative of the lock state of the PLL circuitry, and to modify the at least one property of the output signal in response to the PLL status signal indicating that the PLL circuitry is in a locked state. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253148 | CAPACITANCE-TO-VOLTAGE INTERFACE CIRCUITS - A capacitance-to-voltage interface circuit is utilized to obtain a voltage corresponding to a detected capacitance differential, which may be associated with the operation of a capacitive sensing cell. The interface circuit includes a capacitive sensing cell, an operational amplifier adapted for selective coupling to the capacitive sensing cell, a feedback capacitor for the operational amplifier, a load capacitor for the operational amplifier, and a switching architecture associated with the capacitive sensing cell, the operational amplifier, the feedback capacitor, and the load capacitor. During use, the switching architecture reconfigures the capacitance-to-voltage interface circuit for operation in a plurality of different phases. The different operational phases enable the single operational amplifier to be used for both capacitance-to-voltage conversion and voltage amplification. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253149 | Non-Destructive Leaching Depth Measurement Using Capacitance Spectroscopy - A method of characterizing a quality of a polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) cutter includes obtaining a PDC cutter that includes a leached layer and an unleached layer. The unleached layer is positioned adjacent to the leached layer, and the leached layer has at least a portion of a catalyst material removed from therein. The method further includes measuring capacitance values of the PDC cutter at multiple frequencies of an electrical signal provided to the PDC cutter by a capacitance measuring device to measure the capacitance values of the PDC cutter. The method also includes characterizing a quality of the PDC cutter based on a lowest capacitance value from among the capacitance values. Each capacitance value of the capacitance values is measured at a respective frequency of the multiple frequencies of the electrical signal. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253150 | Electronic Device With Liquid Contact Sensors - Electronic devices may be accidentally exposed to liquid during operation. To detect liquid intrusion events, an electronic device may be provided with one or more electronic liquid contact sensors. The liquid contact sensors may have electrodes. Control circuitry may make measurements across the electrodes such as resistance and capacitance measurements to detect the presence of liquid. Liquid contact sensor data may be maintained in a log within storage in the electronic device. The liquid contact sensor data can be used to display information for a user of the electronic device or can be loaded onto external equipment for analysis. Liquid contact sensor electrodes may be formed from metal traces on substrates such as printed circuits, from contacts in a connector, from contacts on an integrated circuit, or from other conductive electrode structures. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253151 | SENSOR SYSTEM FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE - A sensor system for a motor vehicle is provided. The sensor system comprises a flat shielding element which is electrically conductive and to which an electric potential can be applied, and at least one capacitive sensor element which includes an electrically conducting structure which is arranged on one side of the shielding element. As electrically conducting structure the sensor element includes at least one sensor conductor which forms a sewing thread and is sewn onto the one side of the shielding element. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253152 | DEVICE FOR ASCERTAINING THE CORROSIVENESS OF A PLASTIC MELT - A device for ascertaining the corrosiveness of a plastic melt, including a housing having a cavity to be filled with plastic melt; a first electrode made of a first material and a second electrode made of a second material, the first electrode and the second electrode each having a contact surface toward the cavity, the standard potential of the first material being higher than that of the second material, and the first electrode and second electrode additionally being connectable to each other via a measuring element for determining an electric current and/or an electric voltage between the contact surfaces. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253153 | Radio-Frequency Ion Channel Antenna - An antenna is used for radio frequency measurements of cell wall impedance changes due to ion channels. The antenna provides enhanced direct readout of lipid bilayers and cells containing pores and ion channels. The antenna is placed around a nanopore, which may be fabricated from glass, quartz or other material, and is shaped to provide an enhanced sensitivity to electrical activity in the vicinity of the nanopore. As such, the antenna may be of a class of bi-cone- or other stub-antennas providing high gain and broad bandwidth, for example a planar variant of a “bow-tie” antenna. Accordingly, improved sensitivity of at least an order of magnitude may be achieved over past systems. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253154 | PROBING METHOD, PROBE CARD FOR PERFORMING THE METHOD, AND PROBING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE PROBE CARD - A probe method includes setting an allowable temperature range, the allowable temperature range including a test temperature and ensuring contact between a pad of a circuit substrate and a needle of a probe card, providing the probe card with a temperature within the allowable temperature range, contacting the needle of the probe card to the pad of the circuit substrate, and supplying a test current to the pad through the needle to test the circuit substrate. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253155 | ADAPTIVE THERMAL CONTROL - An adaptive thermal control system maintains and regulates an accurate and stable thermal environment for a device under test. The adaptive thermal control system includes (i) pre-trigger communications from automatic test equipment (ATE) to automatic thermal control (ATC) allowing slow-responding ATC to start responding to an imminent thermal change before the thermal change occurs, (ii) a control profile which indicates to the ATC, prior to anticipated thermal change, that a change is imminent and the nature of the change over time. The generation and fine-tuning of the control profile can be done by two different methods (i) with the semi-automatic approach the tester does some pre-tests in order to determine a typical response profile which the test program then adjusts using adaptive techniques, (ii) With the fully automatic adaptive circuitries same typical response profile is algorithmically adjusted and utilized to control the ATC. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253156 | THIN HEATING DEVICE - A thin heating device is provided. The thin heating device includes a first circuit board, a second circuit board, an elastic connector and a heating element. The first and second circuit boards are face-to-face arranged. The elastic connector connects the first and second circuit boards to apply a return force to hold an under-tested device. The heating element is mounted on the first or the second circuit board to heat the under-tested device. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253157 | TEST SYSTEM WITH LOCALIZED HEATING AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE THEREOF - A test system, and a method of manufacture thereof, including: a thermal management head including a heat spreader; an electronic device in direct contact with the heat spreader; and an electrical current for transferring energy between the heat spreader and the electronic device. | 2014-09-11 |
20140253158 | RESISTANCE MEASURING APPARATUS FOR INSPECTING COMPRESSION QUALITY AND MEASURING METHOD USING THE SAME - A resistance measuring apparatus for inspecting compression quality includes a probe configured to measure resistance by contacting compression resistance measuring tags of a display device, a probe support for supporting the probe, and a torque motor coupled to the probe support and configured to control a position of the probe. | 2014-09-11 |