Patents Examined by John Trischler
  • Patent number: 9520733
    Abstract: A charging and discharging device includes a switching circuit, an input of which is connected to a power supply, the switching circuit adjusting an output current IB to a power storing unit connected to an output of the switching circuit, and a control unit configured to generate an ON/OFF signal DGC to the switching circuit. The control unit includes a temperature-rise control unit configured to separately generate, based on a signal BTMP equivalent to the temperature of the power storing unit, a control signal FC for adjusting a ripple component of the output current IB and a control signal OFS for adjusting a non-ripple component of the output current IB and generates the ON/OFF signal DGC based on the control signal FC and the control signal OFS and outputs the ON/OFF signal DGC to the switching circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Kitanaka, Shoji Yoshioka, Keita Hatanaka
  • Patent number: 9490639
    Abstract: A battery equalization system has two accumulator stages in series, each including an accumulator, and ±poles, a voltage generator for each accumulator stage, and an associated charging device powered by the generator. The charging device includes an inductor and capacitors. One capacitor connects to the generator's positive pole, the other connects to its negative pole, a first diode, whose anode connects to a negative pole of the accumulator stage and whose cathode connects to the first capacitor, a second diode whose anode connects to the negative pole of the accumulator stage and whose cathode connects to the second end of the second capacitor, and a switch connected to the inductor and to the positive pole of the accumulator stage, and a control device that controls the generator, closes the switch and causes the inductor to stores energy and to transfer it to the associated accumulator stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives
    Inventors: Sylvain Mercier, Daniel Chatroux, Julien Dauchy, Eric Fernandez
  • Patent number: 9452671
    Abstract: An energy storage system comprising at least one energy storage module adapted to supply electrical energy to a hybrid vehicle. The energy storage module comprises an enclosure, at least one battery array located within the enclosure, and an energy storage controller module located within the enclosure and electrically connected to the battery array. The energy storage module further comprises a compliant tipped thermistor which may be installed within a flexible clip. The thermistor is positioned to monitor the temperature of one or more of the batteries within the energy storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott K. Bennett, Brian J. Maskew, Leonard F. Baxter, II
  • Patent number: 9450234
    Abstract: A method for cycling a sulfur composite lithium ion battery includes a step of charging and discharging the sulfur composite lithium ion battery at a first voltage range between a predetermined highest voltage and a predetermined lowest voltage. The lithium ion battery includes an electrode active material. The electrode active material includes a sulfur composite. The step of charging and discharging satisfies at least one conditions of (1) and (2): (1) the predetermined lowest voltage of the first voltage range is larger than a discharge cutoff voltage of the sulfur composite; and (2) the predetermined highest voltage of the first voltage range is smaller than a charge cutoff voltage of the sulfur composite. A method for using a sulfur composite as an electrode active material of a lithium ion battery is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiang-Ming He, Li Wang, Jian-Jun Li, Jian Gao, Wen-Ting Sun
  • Patent number: 9444267
    Abstract: Cell voltage equalizer includes voltage detection ICs configured to measure output voltages from cells, respectively; discharge circuits (40) provided to the respective cells, and configured to discharge the output voltages from the respective cells; and a main microcomputer (33 configured: to find a state of charge of a rechargeable battery (13) on the basis of the output voltages from the cells measured by the voltage detection ICs; to judge whether or not the state of charge is a predetermined level; to find differential values by subtracting a predetermined baseline voltage from the output voltages from the cells measured by the voltage detection ICs; and to equalize the output voltages if there exists a cell whose differential value is not less than a first voltage threshold value, by use of the corresponding discharge circuit (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shingo Suzuki, Tsutomu Saigou
  • Patent number: 9438049
    Abstract: A control circuit and method for use with an electronic cigarette box, the control circuit includes a charge management module, an inner battery, a control module, a voltage booster, a batter voltage detective module, a load detective module and an indicative module. According to received signals form the battery voltage detective module, the load detective module and the charge management module, the control module control the voltage booster adjusting a charge voltage supplied from the inner battery and outputting a voltage to charge a charge load, and the control module further control the indicative module displaying a charge state. The control circuit provides indications of various operation states or breakdown states, various charge interfaces, functions of detecting load and protection for inner battery and circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: HUIZHOU KIMREE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. SHENZHEN BRANCH
    Inventor: Zhiyong Xiang
  • Patent number: 9425640
    Abstract: According one aspects, embodiments herein provide an inductive localization and charging system for detecting and charging a medical device comprising a plurality of primary inductive coils arranged within a dielectric material, an input connector coupled to the plurality of primary inductive coils and configured to receive input power, a controller coupled to the plurality of primary inductive coils and to the input connector, the controller configured to selectively activate each primary coil of the plurality of primary inductive coils, determine that a first primary coil of the plurality of primary inductive coils is within operable proximity of an external secondary coil located in the medical device, and control transfer of power between the primary coil and the secondary coil to charge the medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: THE CHARLES STARK DRAPER LABORATORY, INC.
    Inventor: James E. Moran
  • Patent number: 9409489
    Abstract: A magnetic connector apparatus that charges an electric vehicle through contactless magnetic coupling. The magnetic connector apparatus includes an external charger, an inlet, and a magnetic connector. The inlet is connected to a rechargeable battery of the vehicle. The magnetic connector is connected to a power source of the external charger and is transferred to the vehicle to be inserted into the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Woo Young Lee, Byeong Seob Song, Dae Woo Lee, Jin Young Yang, Jong Pil Kim
  • Patent number: 9413182
    Abstract: Provided is a system method for periodically charging a sub-battery for an electric vehicle. In this method, an SOC self-discharge rate of the sub-battery is calculated. An LDC output voltage and a charging time of the sub-battery are set using the SOC self-discharge rate of the sub-battery and information received from an IBS. It is determined whether or not an SOC of a main battery is equal to or greater than a set value. Periodic charging is performed on the sub-battery through an operation of an LDC when the SOC of the main battery is equal to or greater than the set value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jun Yeon Park
  • Patent number: 9404956
    Abstract: A power system for a vehicle includes at least two battery packs spaced away from each other. A first battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells and a switching element electrically connected with the battery cells. A second battery pack includes a resistor electrically connected in series with the switching element, and sense circuitry configured to detect voltage across the resistor indicative of leakage current associated with the first battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Benjamin A. Tabatowski-Bush
  • Patent number: 9356461
    Abstract: A system and method for wireless charging are provided. A control circuit charges one or more cells in a secondary wireless charging circuit that receives power wirelessly from a primary. The control circuit determines the state of charge and temperature of the cells. The control circuit then calculates a current limit as a function of a combination of the state of charge, input voltage to the control circuit for the wireless controller, FET power dissipation and the temperature and adjusts a wireless power control device in the secondary such that its current limit is set to the state of charge current limit. Different temperature limits can be used for different states of charge such that the cells can be charged at higher temperatures at low states of charge than at higher states of charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Jason N. Howard, Michael G. Hanley
  • Patent number: 9331498
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a power generation system. The power generation system includes a first generator and a first battery charger. The first battery charger is adapted to charge a first battery and a second battery. The first battery and the second battery are each adapted to provide power to start the first generator. The power generation system further includes a controller that determines a state of charge for each of the first battery and the second battery. Based on the state of charge for each of the first battery and the second battery, the controller determines which of the first battery and the second battery receives charging current from the first battery charger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Eric D. Albsmeier, Richard A. Mauk, Harrison C. Chiu
  • Patent number: 9325179
    Abstract: Apparatus for generating a voltage surge which can be in the form of a voltage pulse. More specifically, the invention is an apparatus in which low voltage sources charge in parallel and discharge in series to generate a voltage sufficient to drive devices such as, but not limited to, a solenoid. The low voltage sources can be rechargeable batteries such as, but not limited to, 1.5 V or 9 V batteries or a combination of different voltage rechargeable batteries. The apparatus comprises one or more modules in which a battery is directed to charge in parallel but discharge in series. The switch-over from charging to discharging is by means of transistors in each module that cause the modules to discharge in unison thereby creating a voltage surge which can be in the form of a voltage pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Inventor: Rostislav Voytenko
  • Patent number: 9300148
    Abstract: A battery charging apparatus includes a converting unit, first and second charging units and a switching unit. The converting unit separately convert AC power into a first voltage and a second voltage. The first charging unit drops the converted first voltage and charge a high voltage battery with the dropped first voltage. The second charging unit drops the converted second voltage or a third voltage of the high voltage battery, and charges an auxiliary battery with the dropped second or third voltage. The switching unit performs, in a first mode, the charging of the high voltage battery and the auxiliary battery by the AC power, and in a second mode, stops the charging of the high voltage battery by the AC power and performs the charging of the auxiliary battery by the third voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventors: Sung Min Oh, Tae Kyung Moon, Hyung Tae Moon, Sun Min Hwang
  • Patent number: 9272631
    Abstract: A charging station for charging a vehicle includes a charger, a camera, a positioner, and a controller. The charger has a transformer part by which electrical energy can be transferred to a corresponding transformer part arranged behind the vehicle license plate when the charger is in a position relative to the license plate at which the transformer parts sandwich the license plate. The camera generates positional information indicative of positioning between the charger and the license plate. The positioner can move the charger within a range of motion. When the license plate is within the range of motion, the positioner moves the charger based on the positional information to the position at which the transformer parts sandwich the license plate. The controller uses the positional information to generate instructions indicative on how to drive the vehicle to a position in which the license plate is within the range of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Norbert Bendicks
  • Patent number: 9254755
    Abstract: A charging installation for inductively charging an electrical energy storage device of a vehicle, has a vehicle-side coil and a ground-side coil. At least one temperature sensor is disposed in the region of the ground-side coil and at least one heat source is disposed in the region of the vehicle-side coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Georg Bachmaier, Christian Bachmann, Dominik Bergmann, Marco Cyriacks, Reinhard Freitag, Matthias Gerlich
  • Patent number: 9216658
    Abstract: A voltage detection apparatus includes first to third circuit boards are provided on first to third battery packs of a battery system respectively. The first circuit board includes a first voltage detection portion detecting a voltage of the first battery pack, a control portion controlling the first voltage detection portion, and a first insulation device which connecting the first voltage detection portion with the control portion. The second circuit board includes a second voltage detection portion detecting a voltage of the second battery pack, and a second insulation device connecting the second voltage detection portion with the control portion. The third circuit board includes a third voltage detection portion connected in series with the second voltage detection portion and detecting a voltage of the third battery pack. The control portion controls the second and third voltage detection portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Sekizaki, Satoshi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 9197087
    Abstract: A portable electrical power source configured to provide power for a portable electronic device includes a base, a chargeable battery, a connector, and at least one locking structure. The base includes a first surface and a second surface facing away from the first surface. The base defines a receiving room between the first surface and the second surface and at least one cavity. The chargeable battery is received in the receiving room. The locking structures are rotatably received in the cavities to lock the portable electronic device onto the first surface of the base. The connector is positioned on the first surface and is electrically connected to the chargeable battery and the portable electronic device. The chargeable battery charges the portable electronic device through the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chih-Chen Lai
  • Patent number: 9184609
    Abstract: A protection element, connected onto an electric current path of an electric circuit, is provided with an insulating substrate, a heating resistor formed on one surface of the insulating substrate with a first insulating layer interposed therebetween, a low-melting-point metal body disposed above the heating resistor with a second insulating layer interposed therebetween and that constitutes part of the electric current path, and connection portions connected to both ends of the low-melting-point metal body and that electrically connect the electric current path and the low-melting-point metal body. The connection portions are formed on the surface of the insulating substrate with a first glass layer interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Dexerials Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Mukai, Masahiko Ishimaru, Takahiro Asada, Chisato Komori, Shoko Nagaki
  • Patent number: 9166425
    Abstract: A battery charging storage device charges and stores batteries in a compact lockable case. The device includes a housing having a bottom wall and a perimeter wall defining an interior space. A medial wall extends through the interior space of the housing. Straight interior walls extend upwardly from the medial wall defining a plurality of rows in the interior space. A top surface of the medial wall conforms to an exterior shape of a plurality batteries positioned end to end within each row in the interior space. Charging walls extend across associated rows defining a plurality of individual compartments. Contact sets are coupled to the charging walls with each contact set corresponding to an associated one of the compartments in the interior space. Wiring couples each contact set to a plug electrically wherein each contact sets is configured to provide electrical current to a battery positioned in the associated compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Inventor: Billy White