Patents Examined by Richard Isla-Rodas
  • Patent number: 10141551
    Abstract: A battery system includes a first battery pack, a second battery pack, a bidirectional power converter, and a current controller. The first battery pack includes at least one first battery cell. The second battery pack is connected to the first battery pack in parallel and includes at least one second battery cell. The bidirectional power converter is connected between the first battery pack and the second battery pack. The current controller sets a discharge current limit of the first battery pack based on a state of charge of the first battery pack and controls the bidirectional power converter to cause the first battery pack to output a discharge current that is less than or equal to the discharge current limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jongrock Choi, Jeongkurn Park, Junyoung Kim, Cheolgi Son, Hwasu Kim, Sujun Park, Dongrak Kim, Kwangmin Yoo, Hyunjun Do, Inseob Song
  • Patent number: 10135284
    Abstract: Provided are wireless charging equipment, a terminal, a wireless charging system comprising the same, a control method thereof, and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer program recorded thereon. That is, the present invention performs a charging function based on a charging signal in the corresponding terminal by transmitting the charging signal to only the terminal corresponding to a communication provider or an affiliated company pre-registered in the wireless charging equipment to provide a charging function to only the pre-registered terminal with respect to a terminal to use a wireless charging infrastructure, easily and conveniently perform an authentication function for the terminal without a separate additional component, and improve operation efficiency of the entire wireless charging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: SK PLANET CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yon Won Park, Hyun Wook Kim, Joon Sok Im, Seong Wook Kang, Seung Won Na, Kyeong Ho Seo, Hyung Min Jin
  • Patent number: 10131243
    Abstract: Method, device and system for charging electric vehicles. Carrying out 28 on the vehicle side a charging process at a charging station, emitting 30 on the vehicle side an item of information about the charging process and receiving 24 on the vehicle side a current contract key after the emission on the vehicle side of the information about the charging process are proposed for identifying an electric vehicle to a billing center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: innogy SE
    Inventors: Stefan Helnerus, Armin Gaul
  • Patent number: 10131235
    Abstract: A method operates a charging connection device for electric vehicles, the charging connection device including a housing inside which at least one temperature sensor constantly senses at least one temperature value. As an essential feature, the maximum permissible charging current is reduced to a specific value greater than zero if a first threshold temperature of a first temperature value is exceeded and the charging process is interrupted if the first threshold temperature has been continuously exceeded by the end of a first interval or when the at least one temperature value exceeds a second threshold temperature of the at least one temperature value. The proposed method of operating a charging connection device for electric vehicles provides for greater availability, better fault tolerance of the charging connection device while ensuring lower production costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: KEBA AG
    Inventor: Gerhard Weidinger
  • Patent number: 10097018
    Abstract: A device and a method are provided. In a terminal capable of at least one of a wireless charging function and a near field communication (NFC) function, the device displays operation states of the functions via an e-skin unit. Wireless charging efficiency, a charging state, and a communication state may be selectively or totally displayed to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong Chan Park, Do Youb Kwon
  • Patent number: 10097013
    Abstract: A battery management system can be provided which can include a plurality of battery management units connected in series and a host controller. Each battery management unit can include a battery cell, an isolation element, and at least one bypass element. The isolation element is connected with the battery cell in series, and the battery cell is isolated by turning off the isolation element. The bypass elements can be in parallel connection with the battery cell and isolation element, and the battery cell is bypassed by turning on the bypass element. A battery management method can include: activating the battery cell of the battery management unit by turning on the isolation element and turning off the bypass elements of the battery management unit; and deactivating the battery cell of the battery management unit by turning off the isolation element and turning on the bypass elements of the battery management unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: CHEEVC LTD
    Inventor: Kenneth Hamilton Norton
  • Patent number: 10090682
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a system for controlling battery current. In some embodiments, the system comprises a first lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery, the first battery having a first state-of-charge (SOC) and comprising a first battery controller and a first battery charger; and a second Li-ion battery in series with the first battery, the second battery having a second SOC and comprising a second battery controller and a second battery charger. In some embodiments, at least one of the first battery controller or the second battery controller controls a charge current flowing through at least one of the first battery and the second battery, wherein control of the charge current is transferred from the first battery to the second battery based at least partially on whether an overhead voltage is present across the first battery charger or the second battery charger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: SAFT AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: James G. Snyder, Benjamin L. Foote, Keith W. Hensley, Shih-xiang Liu
  • Patent number: 10084348
    Abstract: Wireless energy transfer apparatus include, in at least one aspect, a device resonator configured to supply power for a load by receiving wirelessly transferred power from a source resonator; a temperature sensor positioned to measure a temperature of a component of the apparatus; a tunable component coupled to the device resonator to adjust a resonant frequency of the device resonator, an effective impedance the device resonator, or both; and control circuitry configured to, in response to detecting a temperature condition using the temperature sensor, (i) tune the tunable component to adjust the resonant frequency of the device resonator, the effective impedance of the device resonator, or both, and (ii) signal the source resonator regarding the temperature condition to cause an adjustment of a resonant frequency of the source resonator, a power output of the source resonator, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: WiTricity Corporation
    Inventors: Morris P. Kesler, Katherine L. Hall, Andre B. Kurs, Aristeidis Karalis, Marin Soljacic, Andrew J. Campanella, David A. Schatz
  • Patent number: 10083785
    Abstract: A magnetic sheet 1 of an embodiment includes a stack of a plurality of magnetic thin strips and resin film parts. The stack includes from 5 to 25 pieces of the magnetic thin strips. The magnetic thin strips are provided with cutout portions each having a width of 1 mm or less (including 0 (zero)). A ratio (B/A) of a total length B of the cutout portions provided to the magnetic thin strip to a total outer peripheral length A of an outer peripheral area of the magnetic thin strip arranged on one of the resin film parts is in a range of from 2 to 25.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Materials Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Sawa, Katsuhiko Yamada, Tadao Saito
  • Patent number: 10074875
    Abstract: A protection circuit for protecting a secondary battery includes a controller that closes a charging path for charging the secondary battery with a charger when a charge preventing condition is satisfied, the charging path being between a terminal of the secondary battery and an input-output terminal for connecting the charger and an electronic apparatus, opens the charging path when a discharging current from the secondary battery to the electronic apparatus is detected while the charge preventing condition is satisfied and the charging path is closed, and temporarily closes the charging path when a predetermined period of time passes after the charging path is opened, to determine whether the discharging current is flowing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kohei Shibata, Hibiki Yano
  • Patent number: 10056791
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for charging a power source of a device. The method is performed by one or more processors. The one or more processors detect that a charging interface of the device and a charging interface of a charging dock are misaligned when the device is placed into contact or operational proximity with the charging dock. The device is automatically caused to move relative to the charging dock to achieve alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: SPHERO, INC.
    Inventors: Ben Wirz, James Atwell
  • Patent number: 10040360
    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 leaky transmission line disposed so as to align the vehicle left-right in a parking slot containing the wireless power induction coil when the vehicle is aligned for charging by the wireless power induction coil. At least two vehicle mounted antennas mounted on opposite sides of a left-right center line through the wireless power induction coil when the vehicle is aligned in the parking slot containing the wireless induction coil receive the operating frequency from the leaky transmission line, and signal processing circuitry detects a relative signal phase between signals induced by switching between antennas on opposite sides of the leaky transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Momentum Dynamics Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce Richard Long, Andrew William Daga
  • Patent number: 10040498
    Abstract: A multi-diameter clamp for clamping on tires of different sizes is provided. The multi-diameter clamp comprises at least one clamping unit, at least one actuator, and at least one sensing unit. The at least one clamping unit further includes at least one movable member and a fixed member. Wherein the at least one movable member moves within a tire housing space having a starting position and a clamping position. The tire housing space locates between the movable member and the fixed member for clamping on a tire. The at least one actuator connects to the at least one movable member, and enables the at least one moveable member to move between the starting position and the clamping position. The at least a sensing unit obtains a diameter size of the tire, and based on the diameter size, actuates the at least one actuator corresponding to the diameter size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Yuan-Heng Sun, Kang-Feng Lee, Yuan-Ann Chang, Meng-Ru Lin, Ruey-Liang Ma, Jen-Yu Yu
  • Patent number: 10044074
    Abstract: Provided battery systems include a plurality of battery electronic control units, each associated with a battery pack of a plurality of battery packs. Each battery electronic control unit is adapted to acquire analog current measurements of the associated battery pack and to convert the acquired analog current measurements to a digital value such that the plurality of battery electronic control units produce a plurality of digital values. The system may sum the digital values, or may process pulse-width modulated signals, analog signals and so forth. A battery system electronic control unit is adapted to receive and monitor the plurality of digital values and to determine a total battery system current value based on the received plurality of digital values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Craig W. Rigby, Thomas J. Dougherty, Chih Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 10017072
    Abstract: An electrical contact assembly includes a first electrical contact having a first mating element, and a second electrical contact having a second mating element. The first and second electrical contacts are configured to mate together at the first and second mating elements such that the first and second mating elements engage each other at a contact interface. A distribution of contact pressure across the contact interface at least partially coincides with a distribution of electrical current flow across the contact interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignees: Roberts Bosch GmbH, Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Gergely Galamb
  • Patent number: 10014697
    Abstract: Systems and methods of providing integrated battery protection for a plurality of series-connected batteries, in which a plurality of controllable switches are used to disconnect or otherwise isolate the respective batteries, substantially simultaneously, from an external circuit in response to certain fault or non-fault battery conditions. When the plurality of controllable switches are synchronously transitioned from a closed or “ON” state to an opened or “OFF” state, the voltages of the respective batteries become distributed among the controllable switches, allowing for the use of switches having a reduced voltage rating as well as a reduced cost. By connecting a balancing resistor across each of a plurality of series-connected battery/switch pairs, a more even distribution of the voltages of the respective batteries among the controllable switches can be achieved, providing the system with more predictable operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: NEC Energy Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Yevgeny Maltsev, Oleg Kerbel, C. Michael Hoff, Greg Tremelling
  • Patent number: 9973016
    Abstract: A portable power charger having an internal rechargeable battery is provided with a power connection port than can act in a power input mode when the charger is connected with an external power source via the power connection port and in a power output mode when at least one electronic device is connected to the charger via the power connection port. The power charger may be connected with both an external power source and an electronic device via the power connection port at the same time, wherein the charge supplied from the external power source recharges the charger and any electronic device connected to the charger. The charger also can automatically turn on if a connector cable is connected to the power connection port with either an external power supply or an electronic device connected at the other end of the cable to supply or draw power through the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Halo2Cloud, LLC
    Inventors: Garold C. Miller, Nathan Daniel Weinstein
  • Patent number: 9919613
    Abstract: A battery temperature regulating device is provided with a low temperature heat exchanger configured to allow heat exchange with the air conditioning system, a battery temperature regulating unit configured to allow heat exchange with the low temperature heat exchanger so as to regulate the temperature of the battery to approach a target temperature, and a control unit configured to control the battery temperature regulating unit. In the case where the charging is performed from the power supply external to the vehicle, the control unit determines whether or not it is necessary to accumulate heat in the battery, and in the case where it is determined that the heat accumulation is necessary, the control unit sets the target temperature of the battery during charging higher than that in the case where it is determined that the heat accumulation is unnecessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kunihiko Arai, Yoshiaki Kawakami
  • Patent number: 9831701
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that monitors a battery in a portable electronic device. During operation, the system monitors a state of charge of the battery while the battery is powering the portable electronic device. Next, when the state of charge of the battery reaches a predetermined reserve capacity, the system monitors a voltage of the battery. Then, when the monitored voltage of the battery reaches a predetermined termination voltage, the system puts the portable electronic device into a low power usage state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Val Valentine
  • Patent number: 9827871
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable storage medium to dynamically manage heat in an electric energy storage system, such as a battery pack or ultra-capacitor pack system in an electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Inventor: Robert Del Core