Patents Examined by Michael Dibenedetto
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Patent number: 9559529Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention describe a battery including a plurality of master-less controllers. Each controller is operatively connected to a corresponding cell in a string of cells, and each controller is configured to bypass a fraction of current around the corresponding cell when the corresponding cell has a greater charge than one or more other cells in the string of cells.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2011Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Robert M Button, Marcelo C Gonzalez
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Patent number: 9525300Abstract: An electricity storage system includes: an electricity storage unit (10, 11) that is subjected to charging and discharging; a voltage sensor (20, 20a) that detects a voltage value of the electricity storage unit; and a controller (30) that terminates the charging of the electricity storage unit when the detected voltage value reaches a charging termination voltage value. The controller calculates a voltage drop, which is associated with interruption of constant current charging, on the basis of the detected voltage value while the constant current charging is performed in the electricity storage unit, and sets the charging termination voltage value in accordance with the amount of voltage drop.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2014Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Koji Aridome
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Patent number: 9520741Abstract: A system for charging an electrical storage device includes a motor drive, a DC link electrically coupled to the motor drive, and a first leg coupled to the DC link that includes a first power switch coupled in series with a second power switch via a first node. A first inductor is coupled to the first node, and a first energy storage device (ESD) is electrically coupled to the first inductor. A second leg is coupled to the DC link that includes a third power switch coupled in series with a fourth power switch via a second node. A charging circuit includes a transformer coupled to the first and second nodes. A second ESD is coupled to receive charging energy from the transformer, and a controller is configured to cause a first voltage mismatch between the first and second nodes to generate the charging energy.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2011Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: Viswanathan Kanakasabai
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Patent number: 9496719Abstract: Wireless energy transfer methods and designs for implantable electronics and devices include, in at least one aspect, a device resonator configured to be included in an implantable medical device and supply power for a load of the implantable medical device by receiving wirelessly transferred power from a source resonator coupled with a power source; temperature sensors positioned to measure temperatures of the device resonator at different locations; a tunable component coupled to the device resonator; and control circuitry configured and arranged to adjust the tunable component to detune the device resonator in response to a measurement from at least one of the temperature sensors.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2014Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: WiTricity CorporationInventors: Morris P. Kesler, Katherine L. Hall, Andre B. Kurs, Aristeidis Karalis, Marin Soljacic, Andrew J. Campanella, David A. Schatz
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Patent number: 9496730Abstract: A battery management system includes several subsystem blocks, an Energy Storage Master unit, and several battery pack systems. The Energy Storage Master may interface with the Vehicle Master Controller by way of CAN or other communication method to an External Charger. Each battery module within a battery pack may include a Local Module Unit which may communicate with a Pack Master. The Pack Master may communicate with and may be controlled by the Energy Storage Master. Thus, there is a processor to monitor groups of battery cells, a second processor to collect further information about the cell groups, and a third module that takes high-level information from each cell group processor to process and pass on to other vehicle controllers or charger controllers. An integrated BMS may enable cell monitoring, temperature monitoring, cell balancing, string current monitoring, and charger control integration.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2011Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: Proterra Inc.Inventors: Nicky G. Gallegos, Michael Walker
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Patent number: 9457674Abstract: A power cable which connects to charge the battery power supply of an electric vehicle is suspended at a height generally above the vehicle and is automatically retractable. The operation of the power cable is automatically managed to provide a slack-free condition of the cable when the cable is moved in the extending and the retracting directions. The cable connector is easily accessible and the connector is positionable for ease of connection with the vehicle battery charging terminal. The cable management system for extending and retracting the overhead power cable employs a drive mechanism and a clutch assembly which are electronically controlled.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2011Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: Control Module, Inc.Inventors: James S. Bianco, John Fahy
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Patent number: 9461483Abstract: An electrical energy storage device with damping function is a capacitor-cell battery formed of a plurality of capacitor cells connected in either series or parallel. Each of the capacitor cells includes a supercapacitor and a pseudocapacitor. The supercapacitor is a non-polarized capacitor internally having a separator, and the pseudocapacitor is a polarized electrochemical capacitor. The supercapacitor and the pseudocapacitor are electrically connected in parallel. The supercapacitor has a capacity close to or equal to that of the pseudocapacitor. When charging the capacitor-cell battery, the supercapacitor in every capacitor cell produces a polarization effect, so that electrical energy is charged thereinto as a result of voltage. And, due to a potential balance between the supercapacitor and the pseudocapacitor, the electrical energy charged into the supercapacitor is rapidly transformed into electric current that flows into and is stored in the pseudocapacitor.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2015Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Inventors: Fu-Tzu Hsu, Chieh-Sen Tu
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Patent number: 9438071Abstract: An information handling system (IHS) includes a base station that has a transmitter coil to generate a magnetic field for charging a portable power source of a battery-powered electronic device. A receiver coil magnetically receives power from the transmitter coil of the base station. A power control module connected to the portable power source and the receiver coil charges the portable power source with the received power. A flexible ferrite shield is positioned on a side of the receiver coil opposite to the transmitter coil to shield the IHS electronics. A pneumatic diaphragm is formed by a portion of the flexible ferrite shield that is positioned for oscillating movement into a center cavity of the receiver coil. A diaphragm actuator is attached to the pneumatic diagram and is responsive to a triggering signal to oscillate the pneumatic diaphragm to disperse thermal energy that is generated by the receiver coil.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2015Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: DELL PRODUCTS, L.P.Inventors: Chris Helberg, Travis C. North, Andrew Sultenfuss, Austin M Shelnutt
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Patent number: 9423466Abstract: In a semiconductor circuit, a high frequency level detecting unit detects a level of a high frequency component adjusted with a first adjusting unit, and a first control unit controls a first gain of the adjusting unit according to the level of the high frequency component thus detected. Further, a low frequency level detecting unit detects a level of a low frequency component adjusted with a second adjusting unit. A second control unit controls a second gain according to the level of the high frequency component and the level of the low frequency component thus adjusted, so that a difference between the level of the high frequency component adjusted with the first adjusting unit and the level of the low frequency component adjusted with the second adjusting unit becomes smaller than a specific level determined in advance.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2011Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: LAPIS SEMICONDUCTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Yoshihiro Murakami
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Patent number: 9401530Abstract: Disclosed herein is a storage battery recycling apparatus in which a pulse current is applied to polar plates or electrodes of a storage battery functioning as a secondary cell through the SCR phase control so as to remove sulfate formed in a film or membrane on the electrodes of the storage battery, thereby recovering the performance of the storage battery in a deteriorated state.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2009Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignee: MAROO MCS CO., LTD.Inventors: Yeon soo Han, Sang Youl Lee, Woo Jong Lim
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Patent number: 9385552Abstract: Method, apparatus, and computer program product embodiments are disclosed for estimating the remaining charging time of a rechargeable battery. An example embodiment of the invention comprises a method comprising the steps of detecting an availability of a charging device to a battery in an apparatus; determining a type of the charging device by measuring its charging characteristics for charging the battery in the apparatus and comparing its measured charging characteristics with stored charging characteristics of a plurality of chargers, adapters, or charger-adapter combinations; measuring charging current of the battery; and calculating a time remaining to charge the battery based on a comparison of the measured charging current with the stored charging characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2010Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: Nokia Technologies OyInventors: Mikael Vestama, Kari Rissanen, Jussi Ruutu
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Patent number: 9385551Abstract: Devices, methods and systems disclosed herein relate to a universal charger which provides a power supply for the charging of OMTP devices and non-OMTP devices based on whether an OMTP mobile communication device or a non-OMTP mobile communication device is connected. A power charging apparatus is provided for charging a mobile communication device. The power charging apparatus includes a connector for connecting to a charging port of the mobile communication device, and a controller coupled to the connector, the controller configured to determine whether the mobile communication device connected to the connector is a non-OMTP mobile communication device or an OMTP mobile communication device, the controller further configured to charge a non-OMTP mobile communication device when a non-OMTP mobile communication device is connected to the connector, and further configured to charge an OMTP mobile communication device when an OMTP mobile communication device is connected to the connector.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2015Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: Superior Communications, Inc.Inventors: George Chen, Samuel Sentosa
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Patent number: 9354277Abstract: A system and method for estimating parameters of a rechargeable energy storage system during a plug-in charge mode include reading a first measured voltage and a measured current from the rechargeable energy storage system while charging the rechargeable energy storage system during a plug-in charge mode, interrupting the charge to stop current flow to the rechargeable energy storage system for a predetermined period of time, reading a second measured voltage during the charge interrupt, calculating a resistance based on the first measured voltage, the second measured voltage and the measured current, calculating an open circuit voltage of the rechargeable energy storage system based on the resistance, the second measured voltage, the measured current and determining the state-of-charge for the rechargeable energy storage system using the open circuit voltage.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2010Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operatins LLCInventors: Jian Lin, Xidong Tang, Brian J. Koch, Robert C. Baraszu, Monika A. Minarcin, Steven A. Patterson
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Patent number: 9343921Abstract: A power supply apparatus includes a power supply unit that wirelessly supplies power to an electronic device including a first unit that wirelessly receives power from the power supply apparatus, and a control unit that execute control, if an external apparatus, including a battery, and the electronic device are connected, to select the first unit to charge the battery by the first unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2011Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Akihiro Tanabe
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Patent number: 9337684Abstract: An improved battery charging method is usable by a battery charger to charge a battery. The charging method may include an optional desulfation process, a first constant current process, a constant voltage process, a second constant current process and a float charge process. The charging method preferably improves various charge and usage characteristics of the battery through a single or continued use of the battery charger utilizing the charging method.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2009Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventor: Ronald A. Rizzo
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Patent number: 9333867Abstract: Disclosed is a charging stand for an electric vehicle, the charging stand including a main body, a door coupled to the main body in such a way as to be opened or closed, and an alarm device generating an alarm if the door is opened, wherein the alarm device has a door sensing unit causing a change in impedance if the door is opened, a controller receiving a signal transmitted from the door sensing unit, and a switching circuit activated by the controller to generate an alarm or store an alarm history, so that the charging stand is advantageous in that the opening of the door can be precisely detected, and the alarm history can be checked later.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2011Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.Inventor: Chung Woo Lee
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Patent number: 9331517Abstract: An electronic device includes a first unit that wirelessly receives power from a power supply apparatus, and a control unit that executes control, if an external apparatus, including a second unit that wirelessly receives power from the power supply apparatus, and the electronic device are connected, to select at least one of the first unit and the second unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2011Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Akihiro Tanabe
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Patent number: 9269993Abstract: A rechargeable multipurpose power management system has a power management system that can include a plurality of power management units. The power management units sources can be individually activated and deactivated (I think there might be a confusion between power sources and the system. Everything is within one box itself (the image that I sent you). Each unit is a power management system that can be connected to a variety of INPUT power sources. Several power management units can be combined together to create a stack of them but each one can operated individually as well). and each one is configured to be coupled to a variety of inputs. A rechargeable battery is coupled to the (One rechargeable battery is attached to only one power management units). A charging controller provides regulated charging to the battery. A plurality of convertors are (do we need to specify here what kind of converters, like DC-DC converters) coupled to the battery and provide output voltages that are accessible individually.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2011Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: Gram Power, Inc.Inventors: Yashraj Khaitan, Jacob Dickinson
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Patent number: 9263776Abstract: A battery system having components with reduced maximum voltage tolerance requirements is disclosed. The battery system includes a battery pack with battery modules, and measuring units, which are connected to the battery modules. The measuring units have first analog front ends (AFEs) for monitoring the at least two battery modules. Each first AFE is configured to transmit information related to the monitored characteristic via an isolator to a processor configured to control the battery pack based on the transmitted information. The isolator receives the transmitted information from an AFE which is not connected to the battery module having the least electric potential or to the battery module having the greatest electric potential.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Han-Seok Yun, Tetsuya Okada, Jong-Woon Yang, Eui-Jeong Hwang
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Patent number: 9252615Abstract: Devices, methods and systems disclosed herein relate to a universal charger which provides a power supply for the charging of OMTP devices and non-OMTP devices based on whether an OMTP mobile communication device or a non-OMTP mobile communication device is connected. A power charging apparatus is provided for charging a mobile communication device. The power charging apparatus includes a connector for connecting to a charging port of the mobile communication device, and a controller coupled to the connector, the controller configured to determine whether the mobile communication device connected to the connector is a non-OMTP mobile communication device or an OMTP mobile communication device, the controller further configured to charge a non-OMTP mobile communication device when a non-OMTP mobile communication device is connected to the connector, and further configured to charge an OMTP mobile communication device when an OMTP mobile communication device is connected to the connector.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2011Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: Superior Communications, Inc.Inventors: George Chen, Samuel Sentosa