Patents Examined by Manuel Hernandez
  • Patent number: 10985619
    Abstract: A wireless power system includes a primary device and a secondary device. The primary device includes a power conversion unit, a function module, and a transceiver. The peripheral device includes a wireless power receiver circuit, a peripheral transceiver, and a peripheral unit. The power conversion unit converts a power source into an electromagnetic signal. The functional module executes a function regarding peripheral information. The transceiver communicates information regarding the electromagnetic signal and the peripheral information. The wireless power receiver circuit converts the electromagnetic signal into a voltage. The peripheral transceiver communicates the information regarding the electromagnetic signal and the peripheral information. The peripheral unit processes the peripheral information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: John Walley, Jeyhan Karaoguz, Ahmadreza (Reza) Rofougaran, Nambirajan Seshadri, Reinier Van Der Lee
  • Patent number: 10971942
    Abstract: An electronic device including: a housing, a battery mounted within the housing, a power interface disposed to or within the housing and configured to receive power from an external power source wirelessly or through a wire, and a circuit configured to electrically connect the battery and the power interface. The circuit includes a first electrical path configured to supply a first part of a current supply from the power interface to the battery, and a second electrical path configured to supply a second part of the current supply from the power interface to the battery and connected to the battery in parallel to the first electrical path. The circuit is configured to selectively control the current supply to the battery via the second electrical path at least partially based on at least one of a charge level of the battery or a signal from a sensor disposed in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ku-Chul Jung, Sang-Hyun Ryu, Chul-Woo Park, Sung-Geun Yoon
  • Patent number: 10953534
    Abstract: Handheld power tools are adapted for magnetic stabilization based on the incorporation of one or more permanent magnets in a base thereof. One or more permanent magnets may be incorporated into the base of a handheld power tool (or a detachable rechargeable battery base) such that when the base is contacted with an inclined steel roof panel, a magnetic force is applied that is sufficient to secure the handheld power tool in an upright and non-operational configuration. The distal region of the base may include a spacer formed from a compliant material to provide a spatial offset between the one or more permanent magnets and a surface with which the base is contacted. In some example embodiments, a rechargeable battery pack may include one or more permanent magnets that are capable of supporting the weight of an associated charger when the battery pack is contacted with a vertical steel surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Inventor: Trevor John Donaldson
  • Patent number: 10926657
    Abstract: A method for controlling a charging operation of an energy storage device of a motor vehicle. A control device carries out the following: establishment of a prioritization of a motor vehicle for user-specific recharging of the energy storage device on the basis of the established prioritization; determination of a charging capacity predetermined by the prioritization for a recharging operation, depending on the determined charging capacity; creation of a digital certificate, which describes the determined charging capacity; and transmission of the created certificate to a charging management device of the motor vehicle. Depending on the charging capacity described by the certificate transmitted to the charging management device of the motor vehicle: generation of a control signal, which describes a course of the charging operation with the described charging capacity; and transmission of the created control signal to an energy delivery device of a charging station apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Andreas Schlaudraff
  • Patent number: 10923940
    Abstract: A charger power supply successively performs a constant-current charging process and constant-voltage charging process in accordance with a compensation signal. The process includes a plurality of first time periods during which a first output current is provided and a plurality of second time periods during which a second output current is provided. One of a current feedback loop and a voltage feedback loop is selected by comparing output signals of two loops. The current feedback loop has a first reference voltage compensated by a difference between a first voltage corresponding to a first output voltage during the plurality of first time periods and a second voltage corresponding to a second output voltage during the plurality of said time periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: SILERGY SEMICONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGY (HANGZHOU) LTD.
    Inventor: Lili Liu
  • Patent number: 10923962
    Abstract: In a non-contact power feeding system which is formed with a power transmission device having a power transmission-side resonant circuit including a power transmission-side coil and a power reception device having a power reception-side resonant circuit including a power reception-side coil and which can transmit and receive power by a magnetic field resonance method, when the power is transmitted, the power transmission device monitors the amplitude of a current flowing through the power transmission-side coil. Then, when a current amplitude detection value (VmFOD) falls outside a predetermined normal range, it is determined that a foreign object is present, and thus the power transmission is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Ikefuji, Akihiro Okui, Kimitake Utsunomiya
  • Patent number: 10913367
    Abstract: Provided is a charge and discharge management device for managing charging and discharging of an energy storage device in a vehicle, the vehicle including: the energy storage device configured to perform electric power transfer with an external power grid; and an electric device configured to adjust an electric power to be charged and discharged by the energy storage device, and configured to travel by power supply from the energy storage device, wherein the charge and discharge management device is configured to charge the energy storage device, by the electric power transfer with the external power grid, for increasing a remaining capacity of the energy storage device to a predetermined level when a conduction integration time of the electric device measured from a start point of a warranty period of the vehicle is equal to or longer than a first predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusaku Amari, Shinichi Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 10910845
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a charging system, a terminal, a power adapter and a charging line. The terminal includes a first controller and M charging input interfaces. The power adapter includes a second controller and N charging output interfaces. When at least one of the N charging output interface is coupled to the charging input interfaces of the terminal, the second controller and the first controller communicate with each other to determine the number of charging output interfaces of the power adapter coupled to the terminal, and a charging current outputted from the power adapter to the terminal is adjusted according to the number of charging output interfaces of the power adapter coupled to the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventors: Xinfeng Chen, Chen Tian, Jialiang Zhang
  • Patent number: 10910860
    Abstract: A method, an apparatus and a system for controlling charging of a battery module are provided in the present disclosure. The method for controlling charging of the battery module may include: acquiring an internal pressure value of the battery module; determining a target pressure threshold range to which the acquired internal pressure value of the battery module belongs, based on a plurality of predefined pressure threshold ranges; obtaining a target charge cutoff voltage corresponding to the target pressure threshold range, based on a correspondence relationship between a plurality of predefined charge cutoff voltage and the plurality of predefined pressure threshold ranges; and controlling the battery module to be charged based on the obtained target charge cutoff voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited
    Inventors: Xin Fu, Fuping Luo, Shengwei Wang
  • Patent number: 10903781
    Abstract: A solar power system for a marine dock includes a telescoping vertical member affixed to a dock via a bracket. A solar panel is pivotably and rotatably affixed to the top end of the telescoping vertical support. A weatherproof equipment container is affixed to the telescoping vertical support. A meter unit, battery, and inverter are housed within the weatherproof equipment container. First leads connect the solar panel to the meter unit, which is configured to measure and display energy and/or power generated by the solar panel. Second leads are configured so that current is passed through the meter unit to the battery in a charging configuration. A third lead connects one terminal of the battery to a measurement terminal on the meter unit, which is configured to measure and display the output voltage of the battery. Fourth leads connect the battery to the inverter in a discharge configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Designer Direct, Inc.
    Inventor: Kerry Ira Levin
  • Patent number: 10897149
    Abstract: A storage tote assembly includes a lower storage bin, an upper storage tote that is selectively attachable to the lower storage bin, and at least one electrical power outlet inside the lower storage bin. The lower storage bin has a bottom panel and at least one bin sidewall that extends up from the bottom panel to define the lower storage chamber. The upper storage tote has a lower portion that selectively engages the bin sidewall at an open top thereof. The lower portion of the storage tote and at least one tote sidewall cooperate to define an upper storage area for loose articles. The power outlet is energized by an external power source or an onboard power supply, to provide electrical power to a portable electrical or electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Peter Stathis
  • Patent number: 10879717
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method and apparatus for charging a battery pack. The method comprises: detecting voltages of batteries in the battery pack in real time; charging the battery pack with a charging current that is at least based on the detected voltages; and performing, on the batteries in the battery pack, balance charging by a digital discharging signal. A solution according to the present disclosure may reduce the costs and achieve a more flexible and safe charging approach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: EMC IP Holding Company LLC
    Inventors: Tao Yang, Jing Chen, Jesse Xizhi Cui
  • Patent number: 10862176
    Abstract: A brief case sized battery pack for powering large power tools for use in portable applications. Large cordless power tools, such as torque guns, are often used to fasten very large nuts on wind turbines. AC power for charging may not be available depending on the location within the wind turbine. The portable rechargeable battery pack has several battery elements, each element able to power the cordless power tool. Using a selectable switch, a user manually selects the battery element to power the cordless power tool. The manually operable switch electrically connects to enable one of the first battery elements to be electrically coupled to the at least one DC output electrical connector while the DC output of a battery charger simultaneously charges all the battery elements. In one example, the DC output connector provides at least four positive DC leads all at different voltages plus ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY
    Inventors: Rick D. Degelau, Robert L. Mason
  • Patent number: 10845423
    Abstract: A power storage member monitoring device of the present disclosure includes a circuit that designates a monitor target power storage member based on results of voltage measurement carried out more than once on each of series-connected power storage blocks, each of the power storage blocks including at least one power storage member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masashi Murasaki
  • Patent number: 10826307
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a power adapter, an electronic device and a charging apparatus. In the process of charging a battery in a conventional charge mode after the power adapter is powered on, the power adapter carries out quick charge inquiry communication with the electronic device when an output current value of the power adapter is within a conventional current range for a preset time interval; after the electronic device sends a quick charge command to the power adapter, the power adapter adjusts the output voltage according to the battery voltage information fed back by the electronic device; and when the output voltage meets a voltage requirement for quick charge preset by the electronic device, the power adapter adjusts the output current and the output voltage for charging the battery in a quick charge mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventors: Jialiang Zhang, Kewei Wu, Jun Zhang, Fuchun Liao, Yuanxiang Hu
  • Patent number: 10818983
    Abstract: Provided is a battery management device capable of effectively utilizing battery performance while securing battery life. The battery management device includes: a divergence amount calculation unit that calculates a divergence amount between a life target value or a degradation amount target value of a storage battery, which is a secondary battery, and a life prediction value or a degradation amount prediction value according to use history of the storage battery in an arbitrary period; and a limit value change unit that changes charge/discharge limit values for controlling degradation of the storage battery based on the divergence amount. The limit value change unit includes a first limit value calculation unit that calculates a first limit value set that is a combination of the charge/discharge limit values for each of a plurality of types of control parameters that change in correlation with each other based on the divergence amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: VEHICLE ENERGY JAPAN, INC.
    Inventors: Masahiro Yonemoto, Kei Sakabe, Takanori Yamazoe, Shin Yamauchi, Keiichiro Ohkawa, Ryohhei Nakao
  • Patent number: 10814729
    Abstract: A vehicle alignment system is adapted to align a vehicle with a wireless power induction coil for wireless charging through use of magnetic resonant induction. The system includes a transmission line disposed in the parking slot so as to guide the vehicle to the wireless power induction coil for charging. The transmission line leaks a signal having an operating frequency that is detected to align the vehicle left-right in the parking slot when the vehicle is aligned for charging by the wireless power induction coil. At least two vehicle mounted antennas mounted on opposite sides of transmission line when the vehicle is aligned in the parking slot detect the operating frequency from the transmission line, and signal processing circuitry detects a relative signal phase between signals detected by the antennas. The relative phase differences between the detected signals from the antennas are representative of alignment of the vehicle with respect to the wireless power induction coil and the parking slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Momentum Dynamics Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce Richard Long, Andrew W. Daga, Francis J. McMahon
  • Patent number: 10759292
    Abstract: A current stabilization method performed by a vehicle charging apparatus, which includes a power factor corrector for correcting a power factor of an alternating current (AC) power source, vehicle charging apparatus converting an AC voltage of the AC power source into a direct current (DC) voltage to charge a vehicle battery, may include downwardly-adjusting a current control bandwidth of the power factor corrector when the adjusting of the current control bandwidth of the power factor corrector is requested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hui Sung Jang, Gyu Tae Choi, Gi Bong Son, Hyun Wook Seong
  • Patent number: 10756572
    Abstract: A charging pad for an electric vehicle includes a coolant assembly, a magnetics assembly, and an electronics assembly. The coolant assembly has a top wall and a bottom wall which form a coolant channel for circulating coolant through the coolant assembly. The magnetics assembly is configured to wirelessly receive power from a charging source induction coil arrangement facing the magnetics assembly. The magnetics assembly is adjacent the bottom wall of for heat generated by the magnetics assembly to thermally conduct from the bottom wall into coolant in the coolant channel. The electronics assembly is configured to convert the power wirelessly received by the magnetics assembly into electrical power for charging the electric vehicle. The electronics assembly is arranged adjacent the top wall for heat generated by the electronics assembly to thermally conduct from the top wall into coolant in the coolant channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Ajmal Imran Ansari, Arthur Hurlburt
  • Patent number: 10756557
    Abstract: With a conventional pulse charging method, a low voltage value for the pulse voltage is set to zero volts. When the low voltage value is low in this manner during charging, there is a problem that the negative pole of a secondary battery deteriorates. Provided is a secondary battery apparatus including a secondary battery and charge/discharge control apparatus that controls charging and discharging of the secondary battery. The charge/discharge control apparatus repeatedly performs, in an alternating manner, high voltage charging of applying a pulsed high voltage to the secondary battery and low voltage charging of applying a low voltage that is higher than 0 V and lower than the high voltage to the secondary battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takaharu Ohkanda, Kazuyuki Yoda, Hiroshi Takano, Ryuta Nishizuka