Patents Examined by James P Evans
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Patent number: 10396770Abstract: A power supply unit for use with thermostats or other like devices requiring power. A power supply unit may be designed to keep electromagnetic interference emissions at a minimum, particularly at a level that does not violate governmental regulations. A unit may be designed so that there is enough power for a triggering a switch at about a cross over point of a waveform of input power to the unit. Power for triggering may come from a storage source rather than line power to reduce emissions on the power line. Power for the storage source may be provided with power stealing. Power stealing may require switching transistors which can generate emissions. Gate signals to the transistors may be especially shaped to keep emissions from transistor switching at a minimum.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2017Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Ademco Inc.Inventors: Daniel Landry, Daniel Tousignant, Alex Daher, Marco Lussier
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Patent number: 10361594Abstract: A wireless power transmission device radiates electromagnetic waves through a transmission antenna and generates multiple sensed signals by using multiple foreign object detection (FOD) coils for detecting metallic foreign object to sense the electromagnetic waves. Each FOD coil has three coil units connected in series to and spaced apart from one another. The radiation pattern of the transmission antenna overlaps a sensing range of the FOD coils. A controller of the wireless power transmission device determines if any metallic foreign object enters the radiation range of the transmission antenna according to a reference voltage signal and sensed signals of the cells, and stops the generation of electromagnetic waves when determining entry of metallic foreign object into the radiation range to avoid the metallic foreign object to be heated by the electromagnetic waves.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2016Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: Automotive Research & Testing CenterInventors: Tzyy-Haw Huang, Chien-Chih Lu
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Patent number: 10353411Abstract: A power supply unit for use with thermostats or other like devices. The power supply unit may keep electromagnetic interference emissions and harmonics at a minimum. A unit may have enough power for triggering a switch at about a cross over point of a waveform of input power to the unit. Power for triggering may come from a storage source. Power for the storage source may be provided with power stealing which require switching transistors which can generate emissions. In-line thermostats using MOSFETS power steal may do the power steal during an ON state (triac, relay or silicon controlled rectifier activated). Gate signals to the transistors may be especially shaped to keep emissions from transistor switching at a minimum. All that may be needed, during an OFF state as a bypass, is a high voltage controllable switch. The need may be achieved using high voltage MOSFETS.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2017Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: Ademco Inc.Inventors: Daniel Tousignant, Martin Plouffe
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Patent number: 10340078Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus including a magnetic flux device configured to transmit or receive magnetic flux to or from a space beyond the magnetic flux device. In certain configurations, the magnetic flux device can include a first coil with a first layer and second layer, a second coil with a third layer and fourth layer, and a magnetically permeable material with the first coil extending over a first edge of the magnetically permeable material and the second coil extending over a second edge of the magnetically permeable material. In certain other configurations, the magnetic flux device can include a first conductive structure including a first coil and a second coil enclosing a first area and a second area, respectively. The magnetic flux device can further include a second conductive structure with at least a first planar portion of the first conductive structure being substantially coplanar with a second planar portion of the second conductive structure.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2017Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: WiTricity CorporationInventors: Hans Peter Widmer, Nicholas A. Keeling, Jonathan Beaver
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Patent number: 10340699Abstract: [Problem] It is intended to provide a system, a related method and a minimum current detection and control system for, even when partial shading occurs in a string composed of a series connection of a plurality of solar cell modules, maintaining an output current of the whole. [Solution] By inputting an output voltage of the string into an inverter to convert the output voltage into an AC voltage and applying the AC voltage to the string via a multi-stage voltage multiplier rectification circuit, a compensation current is supplied to a shaded module on a priority basis to maintain an output current of the whole string while lowering an operating voltage of the shaded module by impedance generated on a pathway of the compensation current.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2014Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: Japan Aerospace Exploration AgencyInventors: Masatoshi Uno, Akio Kukita
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Patent number: 10340744Abstract: Non-contact power supplying appliance includes a plurality of power supply units, communication unit that sends and receives a communication packet, and controller that controls the power supply units and the communication unit, in order to contactlessly transmit power to non-contact power receiving appliance. Communication unit sends a response-request message for placement detection, and thereafter receives a corresponding response message, so that communication unit completes placement detection of non-contact power receiving appliance. After sending a response-request message for identifying a placement location of the non-contact power receiving appliance, communication unit receives a corresponding response message, so that controller identifies a combination of non-contact power receiving appliance and some of power supply units.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2016Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Hiroshi Tominaga, Akio Kurobe
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Patent number: 10291075Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatus for detecting, by a wireless power transmitter, an over voltage protection at a wireless power receiver. Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a wireless power transmitter. The wireless power transmitter includes a resonator configured to generate a wireless field for wirelessly transferring power to a wireless power receiver. The wireless power transmitter further includes an impedance detector configured to measure an impedance of the resonator. The wireless power transmitter further includes a controller configured to detect operation of an over voltage protection mode of the wireless power receiver based on a frequency of change in impedance as measured by the impedance detector.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2017Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: William Henry Von Novak, III, Mark White, II
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Patent number: 10291034Abstract: A method and device for operating a power system, and a rechargeable-battery management device that extracts maximum performance from rechargeable batteries and uses the batteries evenly while taking into consideration cost and the operation of the batteries are provided. According to the method for operating a power system provided with a plurality of rechargeable-battery devices and a plurality of electric generators, the amount of power that a rechargeable battery available during a scheduled time period on a scheduled date will be able to supply is determined, an economic-dispatch calculation including the determined amount of power that the aforementioned rechargeable battery will be able to supply is performed for the power system, and the rechargeable battery is used to supply power during the scheduled time period on the scheduled date.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2013Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Yasutaka Kimura, Mitsuo Tsurugai, Toshiyuki Fujikawa, Hyogo Takami, Tomoyuki Nakamura, Taichi Isogai
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Patent number: 10277071Abstract: A wireless power receiver can include a magnetic substrate and a coil configured to wirelessly receive power. The coil can be formed as a conductive layer on the magnetic substrate. A connecting unit can be disposed in a receiving space of the magnetic substrate and can be connected to the coil unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2017Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.Inventors: Jeong Wook An, Jung Oh Lee, Sung Hyun Leem, Yang Hyun Kim
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Patent number: 10263467Abstract: Provided is a wireless power antenna for wirelessly transmitting, receiving, or relaying power, the wireless power antenna comprising an insulating sheet and a wireless power coil including a split pattern unit including a plurality of patterns spaced from each other in at least a region thereof in a widthwise direction, wherein the split pattern unit is disposed on both a top surface and a bottom surface of the insulating sheet.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2013Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: LS CABLE & SYSTEM LTD.Inventors: Sung-Hoon Moon, Heung-kyu Lee, Ji-Hyung Lee, Min-Seok Han, Lae-Hyuk Park, Young-Sun Kim, Un-Kyu Park, Sung-Han You
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Patent number: 10261477Abstract: In a method performed by a PoE system, a PSE provides data and operating voltage over Ethernet wires to a PD. Before the full PoE voltage is supplied, the PSE generates a low current signal received by the PD. A circuit in the PD, connected across its input terminals, has a characteristic analog response to the PSE signal corresponding to the PD's PoE requirements, such as whether the PD is a Type 1 or Type 2 PD. The circuit may be a certain value capacitor, zener diode, resistor, or other circuit. The PSE may generate a fixed current, fixed voltage, or time varying signal. Upon the PSE sensing the magnitude of the analog signal response at a particular time, the PSE associates the response with the PoE requirements of the PD. The PSE then applies the full PoE voltage in accordance with the PD's PoE requirements.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2018Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: Linear Technology CorporationInventors: David Dwelley, Jeffrey Heath, Kirk Su, Ryan Huff
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Patent number: 9806565Abstract: A wireless power receiver can include a magnetic substrate and a coil configured to wirelessly receive power. The coil can be formed as a conductive layer on the magnetic substrate. A connecting unit can be disposed in a receiving space of the magnetic substrate and can be connected to the coil unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2012Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.Inventors: Jeong Wook An, Jung Oh Lee, Sung Hyun Leem, Yang Hyun Kim
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Patent number: 9725005Abstract: An apparatus in an electric vehicle for controlling an electric vehicle pilot signal level includes proximity detection circuitry for detecting when a proximity switch in an electric vehicle connector is actuated, and pilot level-control circuitry for signaling an electric vehicle supply equipment coupled with the electric vehicle to remove charging voltage from the electric vehicle connector responsive to the proximity detection circuitry detecting that the proximity switch in the electric vehicle connector is actuated.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2012Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: CHARGEPOINT, INC.Inventors: Charles R. Geber, Richard Lowenthal, David Baxter
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Patent number: 9475437Abstract: The invention relates to a system (2) for high-voltage disconnection in a vehicle having at least two high-voltage carrying components (10, 12a, b, 14, 16, 18, 20), each component having a housing (11), at least one connecting element for a data bus (4) and at least one connecting element for a high-voltage supply (9), each high-voltage carrying component (10, 12a, b, 14, 16, 18, 20) being designed to detect locally an event which is intended to trigger a high-voltage disconnection, wherein said system is characterized in that each high-voltage carrying component (10, 12a, b, 14, 16, 18, 20) is designed locally to trigger a high-voltage disconnection of the high-voltage carrying component (10, 12a, b, 14, 16, 18, 20) as a reaction to the detection of the event. As an advantageous development, access to components having a hazardous voltage is possible only after the connecting element of the data bus has been removed, the removal or disruption of which leads to rapid disconnection of the electric system.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2011Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Jochen Fassnacht
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Patent number: 9467008Abstract: A wireless power system (WPS) has a wireless power transmitter (WPT) that appraises an input power available to a power inverter from one or more input power sources. The WPT comprises the power inverter that wirelessly transmits power to a wireless power receiver (WPR) of the WPS, and a power appraiser circuit (PAC). The PAC ascertains maximum input power available to the power inverter from the input power sources. The PAC includes a variable load connected to a path carrying the input power to the power inverter or one or more input pins that receive power ratings of the input power sources that indicate available maximum input power from the input power sources. The ascertaining of maximum input power available to the power inverter from the input power sources appraises the input power available to the power inverter. The WPR receives information representing maximum power deliverable by the WPT.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2013Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: WIPQTUS INC.Inventors: Ganapathy Sankar, Manjit Singh
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Patent number: 9444270Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that enable power regulation during wireless power transfer, such as during magnetic resonance (MR) charging of one or more devices from a power transfer device, by applying a cascading charging mechanism that includes identifying a priority order of charging of each of the one or more devices to allocate wirelessly transmitted power to the one or more devices.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2012Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Gregory Louis Stevens, Rongzhi Xing
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Patent number: 9438042Abstract: A power transmission system includes a first unit for carrying out the steps of receiving high voltage direct current (HVDC) power from an HVDC power line, generating an alternating current (AC) component indicative of a status of the first unit, and adding the AC component to the HVDC power line. Further, the power transmission system includes a second unit for carrying out the steps of generating a direct current (DC) voltage to transfer the HVDC power on the HVDC power line, wherein the HVDC power line is coupled between the first unit and the second unit, detecting a presence or an absence of the added AC component in the HVDC power line, and determining the status of the first unit based on the added AC component.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2013Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Di Zhang, Luis Jose Garces, Jian Dai, Rixin Lai
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Patent number: 9427214Abstract: An ultrasound observation apparatus includes: a main power-supply button that operates an internal power-supply unit to be turned on/off as a result of depression of the main power-supply button; a moving member capable of moving substantially in parallel to a direction of the depression of the main power-supply button in conjunction with the depression of the main power-supply button; an internal power-supply switch provided at the power-supply unit so as to be in contact with the moving member, the internal power-supply switch switching the power-supply unit on/off by being depressed along with movement of the moving member; and a movement amount adjusting mechanism that upon the depression of the main power-supply button, if an amount of movement of the main power-supply button exceeds a predetermined movement amount, adjusts an amount of movement of a contact portion of the moving member.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2015Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATIONInventor: Toshihiro Kitahara
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Patent number: 9431897Abstract: Provided is an electric device, including: a secondary battery; and a power supply circuit for dropping an input voltage which is input from the secondary battery to an output voltage and outputting the output voltage to a load, in which the output voltage is stepwise dropped in accordance with the drop of the input voltage.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2013Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.Inventor: Tsuyoshi Ohashi
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Patent number: 9412513Abstract: To improve power transmission efficiency in wireless power feeding by using a magnetic body. A wireless power transmission system 100 feeds power by wireless from a feeding coil L2 to a receiving coil L3 based on a magnetic-field resonance phenomenon between the feeding coil L2 and receiving coil L3. A transmission control circuit 200 supplies AC power to the feeding coil L2 at a drive frequency so as to make the feeding coil L2 feed the AC power to the receiving coil L3. A magnetic body F is disposed between the feeding coil L2 and receiving coil L3. The magnetic body F is disposed in a space between coil surfaces of the feeding coil L2 and receiving coil L3.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2013Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: TDK CORPORATIONInventor: Yoshihiro Saitoh