Patents Examined by David V Henze-Gongola
  • Patent number: 11271428
    Abstract: An energy receiver including a power receiver coil configured to wirelessly receive power transmitted from a power transmitter; a detection section configured to detect a foreign object; and a power storage section configured to supply power to the detection section during detection of the foreign object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroaki Nakano, Shinichi Fukuda, Yuji Murayama, Kenichi Fujimaki, Tomomichi Murakami
  • Patent number: 11267583
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) for changing a power source of a drone, the apparatus (1) comprises an adaptor (2) for securing a power source (3) to a drone and comprising a first energy connection for supplying energy from the power source (3) and a second energy connection for supplying energy to a drone, wherein one of the first and second energy connections comprises a pair of energy links (20, 21) which are movable between a first position (FIG. 5) to facilitate energy supply and secure the power source (3) to the drone and a second position (FIG. 4) to interrupt energy supply and enable the power source (3) to be removed from the drone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Inventor: Menachem Fehler
  • Patent number: 11260768
    Abstract: A vehicle is configured to perform plug-in charging for charging a battery mounted in the vehicle with electric power supplied through a charging cable from a charging stand. The vehicle includes: an inlet to which a connector of the charging cable is connectable; and an ECU configured to control a supply current from the charging stand such that the supply current does not exceed a maximum allowable current. The ECU is configured to obtain specific information as to whether or not the charging stand is provided with a cooling mechanism for cooling the connector and the inlet. The ECU is configured to set the maximum allowable current to be higher when the charging stand is provided with the cooling mechanism than when the charging stand is not provided with the cooling mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shota Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 11264809
    Abstract: A method for operating an energy storage system, which includes at least one energy store with a plurality of cells and is designed to supply an electric drive system of a vehicle is provided. The method includes identifying a reference cell from among the cells, and carrying out a first symmetrization procedure for the cells at a first point in time, at which the reference cell has a first reference charge state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Tobias Hollweg
  • Patent number: 11251712
    Abstract: Provided are a power supply circuit, a power supply device and a control method. The power supply circuit includes a primary rectifier unit, a modulation unit, a transformer, a secondary rectifier and filtering unit, a current feedback unit and a current sampling control unit. The power supply circuit removes a liquid electrolytic capacitor at a primary side, and an output current of the power supply circuit has a periodically changing current value. The power supply circuit may determine when the output current is at a peak value based on a feedback voltage outputted by the current feedback unit, such that the power supply circuit may manage and control a size of the peak value of the output current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventors: Chen Tian, Jialiang Zhang
  • Patent number: 11247581
    Abstract: A battery control device capable of obtaining an allowable charge/discharge current value can further accurately reflect a polarization state of a battery. A battery controller includes a first allowable current value calculation unit, a battery equivalent circuit model, and a correction amount calculation unit. Assuming a non-polarization state, a current limit value of the battery based on an open circuit voltage and upper and lower limit voltages set in the battery, the first allowable current value calculation unit calculates a first allowable current value Imax1. The battery equivalent circuit model estimates a polarization state of the battery when the current limit value is being calculated. The correction unit calculates an allowable current value correction value based on the estimated polarization state for correcting Imax1. A second allowable current value Imax2 which is the corrected first allowable current value is output as an allowable charge/discharge current value of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: VEHICLE ENERGY JAPAN, INC.
    Inventors: Kei Sakabe, Keiichiro Ohkawa, Takanori Yamazoe, Ryohhei Nakao, Masahiro Yonemoto
  • Patent number: 11225331
    Abstract: A method for supplying power to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes converting heat generated by at least one energy component of the UAV into electrical power and supplying the electrical power to the UAV based on a flying status of the UAV and/or a discharge status of a power battery of the UAV. The power battery is a main power source of the UAV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wentao Wang, Lei Zhang, Lei Wang, Bogao Xu
  • Patent number: 11220991
    Abstract: A portable multi-industry jump starting system including a housing, a rechargeable battery enclosed within the housing, the rechargeable battery having sufficient power to provide a desired output power when reduced by a high current drain during jump starting operations, a multi-pin connector electrically attached to the battery and mounted in the housing for electrical connection to external system components or directly to equipment to be jump started, and a volt meter and volt meter activation switch mounted in the housing so as to be viewable at the multi-pin connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Inventor: James Wurth
  • Patent number: 11220187
    Abstract: A receiver may be used with a charging station or other power delivery solution. The receiver can be configured to be maneuvered beneath a plug that is electrically coupled to a battery or other component of a vehicle. The receiver can include an opening into which the plug is inserted. The opening can form contacts for establishing an electrical connection with contacts on the plug. The receiver can include a cover that protects the contacts when the plug is not inserted into the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Mod.al
    Inventors: Preston Ruff, Erick Vega, Kreg Peeler
  • Patent number: 11214157
    Abstract: A method for controlling the charging of one or more electric vehicles at one or more charging stations in a geographic locality includes determining if the charging event of an electric vehicle of the one or more electric vehicles increases a demand billing rate. The demand billing rate may be a cost per unit of energy in the locality. The method also includes charging the electric vehicle at the charging event such that the demand billing rate is not increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: PROTERRA INC.
    Inventors: Seamus T. McGrath, Justin Allen, Kevin Ertel
  • Patent number: 11214165
    Abstract: An ECU executes a charge preparation communication sequence after a connector is connected to an inlet and before external charging is performed, and counts a response time (message transmission and reception time) of a charging station to a prescribed event. A memory stores a message transmission and reception time of a specific charging station. The ECU does not perform external charging when the message transmission and reception time counted during the charge preparation communication sequence is equal to the message transmission and reception time stored in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomoya Ono
  • Patent number: 11214169
    Abstract: A battery system including: a plurality of battery modules; a plurality of switches arranged in a circuit including the plurality of the battery modules, the plurality of the switches being configured to switch connection of the battery modules between a series state and a parallel state; a storage device that stores at least one abnormality pattern; and a control device configured to: i) control switching of each of the plurality of the switches; and ii) control switching of the switches other than the predetermined switch such that the battery modules rue not in a short-circuited state using the abnormality pattern when the predetermined switch is unable to be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomoya Ono
  • Patent number: 11211666
    Abstract: The vehicle battery pack exchange system herein described charges renters for the time use interval, the energy needed to recharge the battery pack, and the battery wear their use has caused. Data on battery wear accelerating stress parameters such as current, voltage, temperature, and state of charge is collected for battery packs rented to vehicle users. Wear rates are estimated from the collected data. Then either users are charged for the wear they cause or wear is limited to some predetermined wear rate and users are charged a predetermined battery wear fee per kWh delivered by the battery pack. In either embodiment drivers are displayed information to adapt their driving to battery wear rates. Renters are charged for battery pack usage time, energy supplied by the rental station, and battery wear providing battery owners a secure return on their investment. This system accommodates both short term and sustained long term rentals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Inventor: Goodwyn George Reeves
  • Patent number: 11198368
    Abstract: A vehicular charging control system using a solar panel includes: a first battery; a calculation unit that calculates a chargeable electric power amount (an amount of electric power with which the first battery can be charged until the SOC of the first battery reaches a predetermined value); a determination unit that determines whether regenerative electric power is being generated; and a control unit that controls charging of the first battery with electric power generated by the solar panel. The control unit allows the first battery to be charged with the electric power generated by the solar panel up to an upper limit set to the chargeable electric power amount when regenerative electric power is not being generated, and up to an upper limit set to an electric power amount obtained by subtracting the regenerative electric power amount from the chargeable electric power amount when regenerative electric power is being generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satoshi Shizuka
  • Patent number: 11192459
    Abstract: A method for charging a traction energy storage device of an at least partially electrically driven vehicle includes detecting an interruption of a charging process, and determining a parameter which represents a reason for the interruption of the charging process. The method also includes performing at least one of the following measures as a function of the determined parameter: continuing the charging process in an unchanged or changed fashion, and performing a specific signaling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Alexander Augst
  • Patent number: 11180042
    Abstract: A charging device for charging a charge storage device includes a coupling device for coupling a connector for charging the charge storage device, an optical waveguide for illuminating the coupling device and/or for indicating a state of charge of the charge storage device, and a light source for coupling light into the optical waveguide. Search lighting and an indication of the state of charge of the charge storage device can be realized by way of the optical waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Tarek Said
  • Patent number: 11177680
    Abstract: Techniques for focusing the energy radiated by a wireless power transmitting unit are described. An example power transmitting unit includes a transmit coil configured to generate a magnetic field to wirelessly power a device within an active wireless charging area. The power transmitting unit also includes a power generating circuitry to deliver current to the transmit coil to generate the magnetic field. The power transmitting unit also includes a ferrite structure disposed below the transmit coil, the ferrite structure comprising a flat sheet and a projection of ferrite material projecting above the flat sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Jaejin Lee, Hao-Han Hsu, Chung-Hao J. Chen
  • Patent number: 11173801
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery configured to be charged from an external power source via a vehicle charger, a transceiver configured to wirelessly transmit vehicle data to an external server and to wirelessly receive adaptive traction battery charging settings from the external server, an interface module configured to selectively override control of the vehicle charger based on the adaptive traction battery charging settings wirelessly received via the transceiver from the external server, a human-machine interface (HMI), and a controller in communication with a persistent on-board vehicle memory, the vehicle charger, the override module, and the HMI, the controller configured to receive manually entered traction battery charging settings via the HMI, store the manually entered traction battery charging settings in the persistent on-board vehicle memory, and selectively control the vehicle charger using the manually entered traction battery charging settings in response to the adaptive traction batte
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Everett Badger, II, Jordan Firnbach, Angel Fernando Porras
  • Patent number: 11171448
    Abstract: A pedestal type device that functions as anon-limiting example charger comprises a connection portion that is constituted by a connection plug and a cover. The cover is supported so as to be movable up and down through a second hole of a placement portion. Furthermore, a convex portion that is protruded toward a front side is provided in a center of a lower end portion of a rear support portion. Two first projections are formed on an upper surface of the cover, and a first hole is formed between them. The connection plug is supported so as to be movable up and down through a third hole. If the convex portion is fitted into a first concave portion formed in a rear surface of electronic device when the electronic device is placed on the placement portion, the first projections are respectively fitted into two third concave portions formed on an undersurface of the electronic device, whereby the cover is pushed down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinji Hirose, Daisuke Kumazaki, Takafumi Nishida
  • Patent number: 11171449
    Abstract: A pedestal type device that functions as a non-limiting example charger comprises a connection portion that is constituted by a connection plug and a cover. The cover is supported so as to be movable up and down through a second hole of a placement portion. Furthermore, a convex portion that is protruded toward a front side is provided in a center of a lower end portion of a rear support portion. Two first projections are formed on an upper surface of the cover, and a first hole is formed between them. The connection plug is supported so as to be movable up and down through a third hole. If the convex portion is fitted into a first concave portion formed in a rear surface of electronic device when the electronic device is placed on the placement portion, the first projections are respectively fitted into two third concave portions formed on an undersurface of the electronic device, whereby the cover is pushed down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinji Hirose, Daisuke Kumazaki, Takafumi Nishida