Patents Examined by Richard Isla-Rodas
  • Patent number: 9716392
    Abstract: A battery pack and connecting circuits of battery modules. The battery pack includes a plurality of battery modules connected in series, wherein each battery module is provided with a connecting circuit. When the battery module operates normally, the connecting circuit serially connects the current battery module to the previous battery module and the succeeding battery module. When the battery module operates abnormally, the connecting circuit selectively disconnects the current battery module, and if it disconnects the current battery module, it directly connects the previous battery module and the succeeding battery module in series. When a battery module is damaged or abnormal, the current damaged battery module can be disconnected from the series battery pack and bypassed. As such, the previous battery module may be directly connected with the succeeding battery module, ensuring the normal connection of the series circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: THUNDER POWER NEW ENERGY VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Po-Han Lian
  • Patent number: 9716391
    Abstract: There is provided a battery holder including: a plurality of battery cell receiving sections for receiving a battery cell. A deformation section elastically deformed depending on transmission of external impact, and a space section for allowing the deformation section to be elastically deformed are formed between a peripheral surface of one battery cell receiving section and a peripheral surface of another battery cell receiving section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kano
  • Patent number: 9696382
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for estimating the maximum power of a battery, which can inexpensively perform an estimation of the maximum power of a battery in a relatively simple manner of using the internal resistance of the battery, which has a correlation with and a largest effect on the maximum power of the battery. The method includes the steps of: measuring an internal resistance and a temperature of the battery and estimating a state of charge, if an estimation of the maximum power of the battery is requested; and reading a value of the maximum power of the battery, which corresponds to the measured temperature, the estimated state of charge, and the measured internal resistance, from a table in which the internal resistances and the maximum powers of the battery are mapped according to the temperatures and states of charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Il Cho, Do Youn Kim, Do Yang Jung
  • Patent number: 9694704
    Abstract: A peak cut power calculation unit calculates peak cut power transmittable to an overhead wire as power exhibiting monotonic non-increase with respect to a resistance value of the overhead wire between a vehicle and a substation. In addition, a peak cut unit controls electrical charging/discharging of a rechargeable battery with power of a difference between load power and transmission peak cut power when the load power is equal to or more than the peak cut power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Katsuaki Morita, Shunsuke Kamei, Takayuki Kono, Kazuyuki Wakasugi
  • Patent number: 9688156
    Abstract: A method for communicating between an electric vehicle and a charging station for electrically charging at least one energy storage device of the electric vehicle. The electric vehicle is connected to the charging station during the charging process by a lockable mechanical coupling between a terminal of charging cable connected to the vehicle and a terminal of the charging station. Charging current is fed from the charging station through the charging cable. Information is transferred in the course of the charging process based on a communication between the electric vehicle and the charging station. The information includes a signal transmitted from the electric vehicle to the charging station for locking and/or unlocking the mechanical coupling. The signal triggers the locking and/or unlocking of the mechanical coupling between the terminal of the charging cable and the terminal at the charging station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Joerg Heuer, Martin Winter
  • Patent number: 9682243
    Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for a method of charging a battery. In an example, the method includes charging the battery during a first charging session until a first charging termination parameter value is reached. The method also includes determining, for a second charging session, a second charging termination parameter value based on a duration of the first charging session, wherein the second charging termination parameter value is different than the first charging termination parameter value. The method also includes charging the battery during the second charging session until the second charging termination parameter value is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Reid K. Bornhoft, Nathan A. Torgerson
  • Patent number: 9684356
    Abstract: A method for determining remaining battery service time of a mobile terminal includes determining a plurality of battery usage times, wherein each battery usage time corresponds to a respective predefined battery power level interval. Upon receipt of a request to determine the remaining battery service time, the mobile terminal determines a current battery power level of the mobile terminal and compares the current battery power level with at least one of the plurality of battery usage times and their associated predefined battery power level intervals to determine the remaining battery service time. The remaining battery service time is then displayed on the mobile terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: SHELL INTERNET (BEIJING) SECURITY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sheng Fu, Ming Xu, Xin Liang
  • Patent number: 9685797
    Abstract: Systems and methods for balancing multi-cell batteries are provided. In one embodiment, the battery balancing circuit includes a battery including a plurality of cells coupled in series, a first terminal and a second terminal, a transformer including a primary winding and a plurality of secondary windings, where each secondary winding is coupled to one of the plurality of cells via a secondary switch and a rectifier circuit, where the primary winding is coupled between the first terminal and the second terminal of the battery, a primary switch in series with the primary winding of the transformer, and a control circuitry coupled to the primary switch, the plurality of secondary switches, and each of the plurality of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: LEACH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Farshid Tofigh, Anhtai Le Tran
  • Patent number: 9680323
    Abstract: An energy harvesting circuit receives an input voltage from a transducer and uses a single inductor operating in a DC-DC converter charging mode to generate charging current at a first output coupled to an energy storage device where a supply voltage is stored. The energy harvesting circuit further receives the supply voltage from the energy storage device and uses the same single inductor operating in a DC-DC converter regulating mode to generate load current at a second output where a regulated load voltage is provided. The energy harvesting circuit switches between the charging mode and the regulating mode in accordance with a discontinuous mode (DCM) control process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Stefano Ramorini, Alessandro Gasparini, Alberto Cattani
  • Patent number: 9669723
    Abstract: An electronic storage module includes a plurality of batteries, a primary monitoring circuit configured to detect an operating state of the plurality of batteries, a microcontroller unit connected to the primary monitoring circuit via a primary communication path, and a secondary monitoring circuit connected to the microcontroller unit via a secondary communication path. The secondary monitoring circuit is configured to detect the operating state of the plurality of batteries when a determination is made of an abnormality in the primary communication path, or an abnormality in the operating state of the primary monitoring circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoyuki Sugeno, Morihiko Sato, Koji Umetsu
  • Patent number: 9673642
    Abstract: A discharge control device for controlling discharge in an energy storage device disposed in an electric apparatus, wherein the discharge control device includes a first determination unit adapted to determine whether or not an electric apparatus's status is being outside a predetermined first range and a discharge controller adapted to start discharge in the energy storage device, when the first determination unit determines that the status of the electric apparatus is being outside the first range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: GS Yuasa International Ltd.
    Inventor: Yutaro Katsumata
  • Patent number: 9673723
    Abstract: In a circuit adapted to supply a voltage Vs an electronic device, such as a load or a light source said voltage Vs is led to a circuit (ACG) that is able to derive a voltage VACG from Vs where VACG?Vs. The circuit consist in a first embodiment of three serial coupled diodes (D1,D2,D3) and two capacitors (C1,C2), and where the capacitor (CI) is coupled in parallel with tow of the diodes (D1,D2) and the capacitor (C2) is coupled in parallel with the diodes (D2,D3). In this way an Asymmetric Current Generator (ACG) is provided, that from a normal periodic source voltage Vs can derive two voltages both of which are suitable for a rechargeable battery or a light source. In this way a cost effective voltage in which the voltage required for the electronic device is beneficial for recharging the battery or strengthen the light for a LED light source leading to save in current cost and a fast recharging of the rechargeable battery and gaining light from the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Inventors: Milan Mancic, Nicholas Møller
  • Patent number: 9667065
    Abstract: A battery-management method is performed by a battery-operated device. The method includes allocating a first portion of a battery capacity to a first function and a second portion of the battery capacity to a second function. The method further includes simultaneously displaying a first indicator relating to the first portion of the battery capacity and a second indicator relating to the second portion of the battery capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Joseph C. Chen, Jonathan Malton
  • Patent number: 9662994
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for charging an energy storage unit of one or more electrically operated vehicles. The apparatus has at least two charging connections. Each of the charging connections has a communication port for exchanging data with the vehicle connected to the charging connection. The communication port of each of the charging connections is coupled to an assigned first communication device, which is designed for communicating with a corresponding first communication device of the vehicle connected to the relevant charging connections, based on a pulse-width modulated signal transmission. A second communication device is coupled via a coupling point to communication ports of all charging connections to communicate with a corresponding second communication device of a vehicle, based on digital data transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Michael Kaindl
  • Patent number: 9663188
    Abstract: Provided is an food packing material, manufacturing method. A battery pack and a electrical bike having the same are further provided. In particular, the battery pack may include a battery pack, battery array, a protecting circuit module, and a connection terminal section. The battery case may be formed as cylindrical or polygon. The battery array may include a plurality of batteries formed as multi-stage within the battery pack. The protecting circuit module may be provided between an upper portion of the battery array and an upper surface of the battery pack. A connection terminal portion may be formed at the lower stage of the battery pack and may include a power terminal and a control terminal. By providing the battery pack as bottle shape, the electrical bike can selectively accommodate the bottle for the bike and the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: No-Hyun Kwag, Yong-Geol Kwon
  • Patent number: 9660467
    Abstract: The inventive disclosures contained herein are generally directed to an improved portable powerbank (or battery bank) that is integrated with video storage and playback/display capabilities for use as a promotional product and/or related services. Effectively, the improved device is an electronic billboard and/or video player that can keep a user engaged because of a user's motivation to use the powerbank functionality. The combination of the improved powerbank's high user utility with the integrated video/audio player's strong capability in communicating promotional messages, the VIP significantly elevates the promotional effectiveness of each VIP device, as compared with the individual parts of the sum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: TwinTech Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Hsin-Chia Chao, Li-Te David Tai
  • Patent number: 9656558
    Abstract: A charging device is provided for a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle is equipped with an electric energy storage device, a DC-DC converter as well as a first hard-wired interface to a first external AC network for charging the electric energy storage device and a second inductive interface to a second external AC network for charging the electric energy storage device of the vehicle. The output power of the DC-DC converter is used as the charging power of the electric energy storage device. The input of the DC-DC converter can be supplied with electric power over the first and second interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Robert Weber, Torsten Herzog
  • Patent number: 9660299
    Abstract: A method and system for strain-based estimation of the state of health of a battery, from an initial state to an aged state, is provided. A strain gauge is applied to the battery. A first strain measurement is performed on the battery, using the strain gauge, at a selected charge capacity of the battery and at the initial state of the battery. A second strain measurement is performed on the battery, using the strain gauge, at the selected charge capacity of the battery and at the aged state of the battery. The capacity degradation of the battery is estimated as the difference between the first and second strain measurements divided by the first strain measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Jeff Qiang Xu, Joe Steiber, Craig M. Wall, Robert Smith, Cheuk Ng
  • Patent number: 9651014
    Abstract: A system and method for a double source battery charger of an engine-generator. The double source battery charger of the engine-generator includes an electric starter and a battery. The electric starter is selectively energized by the battery to start an engine of the engine-generator. The double source charger maintains the battery at a desired charge such that the battery has sufficient charge to energize the electric starter. The double source battery charger is selectively coupled to one of two power sources to charge the battery: an alternator of the engine-generator and an external AC source, such as a standard 120 Volt or 240 Volt wall outlet. As a result, the battery is charged by either power from a wall outlet or, if the generator is running, by power provided from the alternator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: TECHTRONIC OUTDOOR PRODUCTS TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: George Brandon, Mina William Atta
  • Patent number: 9649943
    Abstract: A system for recharging a hybrid vehicle is provided with two motors and supplies commercial electricity to neutral points of the motors when a connection of a recharging stand is detected, forms an electricity loop through the neutral points of the first motor and the second motor according to a phase of the commercial electricity, and carries out a recharging mode by detecting at least a voltage of a DC link capacitor in a voltage converter, a voltage of a smoothing capacitor, and a battery voltage. According to the system, a current control value or a voltage control value is selected according to the recharging mode in order to recharge a battery based on the current control value or the voltage control value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Hong-seok Song, Ki-young Jang, Junghong Joo