Patents Examined by Robert DeBeradinis
  • Patent number: 10160428
    Abstract: A trailer break-away switch comprises an electromechanical means to energize a towed trailer brake in the event of unintended decoupling of the trailer from the towing vehicle. When in normal operation, the trailer break-away switch operates as a normally open switch between the stored energy source (the battery) on the trailer and the trailer brake system. In the event of unintended decoupling of the trailer from the towing vehicle, a pin is pulled from the trailer break-away switch, which activates the switch. Activating the switch allows electrical power to be connected to the trailer brake system. In some cases, the switch directly connects a trailer battery to the electromagnetic coils of the electric brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: DEWEL, LLC
    Inventor: David E. Ewel
  • Patent number: 10164479
    Abstract: Provided is a method for controlling a wireless power transmitter transmitting wireless power to at least one wireless power receiver. The method for controlling a wireless power transmitter, according to the present invention, can comprise the steps of: receiving information related to a wireless power receiver from at least one of each of the wireless power receiver; and controlling each of a plurality of power transmitting units included in the wireless power transmitter on the basis of the information related to the wireless power receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Keum-Su Song, Kyung-Woo Lee, Hee-Won Jung
  • Patent number: 10164469
    Abstract: Wireless power may be transferred using wireless power elements such as coil antennas for inductive wireless power transfer technology or patch antennas for capacitive wireless power transfer technology. These antennas in source equipment may couple in a near-field region to antennas implemented in target equipment. Wireless power may also be transferred from the source equipment to the target equipment using radiating antennas in their far-field regions. Wireless power transfer may be optimized by performing channel estimation operations. Foreign objects can be detected and located using sensors or by analyzing the quality of wireless channels. Optimum power transfer settings may be used to maximize wireless power transfer to a set of the antennas in the target equipment while minimizing power transfer to the foreign object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jouya Jadidian, Steven W. Cabral, Vaneet Pathak
  • Patent number: 10158261
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure may provide an electronic device that includes: a first plate directed in a first direction, a second plate directed in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a side member configured to surround at least a part of the space between the first and second plates; a first printed circuit board (PCB) that is disposed between the first and second plates and includes at least one processor; a second printed circuit board (PCB) that is disposed between the first printed circuit board and the second plate and includes at least one antenna pattern; and a temperature sensor disposed to measure the temperature of at least a part of the second printed circuit board. Other various embodiments are possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoun Jang, Chulwoo Park, Hyundeok Seo, Se-Young Jang, Chi-Hyun Cho
  • Patent number: 10158260
    Abstract: A wireless power transfer system comprising a wireless power transmitting apparatus and a plurality of wireless power receiving apparatuses, the wireless power transmitting apparatus comprising: a power transmitting unit adapted to transmit power to the wireless power receiving apparatus; a recognition unit adapted to recognize the wireless power receiving apparatus; and a transmitting unit adapted to transmit predetermined charging delay information according to a recognition result of the recognition unit to the wireless power receiving apparatus recognized by the recognition unit, and the wireless power receiving apparatus comprising: a power receiving unit adapted to receive power transmitted from the power transmitting unit; a receiving unit adapted to receive the predetermined charging delay information transmitted from the transmitting unit; and a display unit adapted to make a display based on the predetermined charging delay information received by the receiving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tetsuya Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10158234
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for using aggregated loads from a plurality of distributed energy resources to perform a function at a power distribution feeder. The invention includes a plurality of distributed energy resources, wherein at least one distributed energy resource includes a renewable energy resource, a communication network, a control device, a power distribution feeder coupled to the control device, and an energy storage system coupled to the power distribution feeder. The control device sends a signal to the plurality of distributed energy resources via the communication network. The signal is a request to switch a status of one or more of the distributed energy resources if one or more distributed energy resources is within a predetermined condition. Loads from the one or more of the distributed energy resources that switched status are aggregated to perform a function at the power distribution feeder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: STC.UNM
    Inventors: Andrea A. Mammoli, Yasser Yasaei
  • Patent number: 10158255
    Abstract: An inductive power transfer system comprises a primary unit, having a primary coil and an electrical drive unit which applies electrical drive signals to the primary coil so as to generate an electromagnetic field. The system also comprises at least one secondary device, separable from the primary unit and having a secondary coil which couples with the field when the secondary device is in proximity to the primary unit. A control unit causes a circuit including said primary coil to operate, during a measurement period, in an undriven resonating condition. In this condition the application of the drive signals to the primary coil by the electrical drive unit is suspended so that energy stored in the circuit decays over the course of the period. A decay measurement unit takes one or more measures of such energy decay during the measurement period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Philips IP Ventures B.V.
    Inventors: Michael Craig Stevens, Alexander Charles Knill, John Robert Dunton
  • Patent number: 10158228
    Abstract: In one embodiment, there is provided a power interchange system for distributing direct current (DC) electrical power. The power interchange system comprises a plurality of nodes comprising a first node and a second node. The first node comprises a first communication device and a first power source to power the first communication device. The second node comprises a second communication device and a second power source to power the second communication device. The power interchange system further comprises a wired cable connecting the first node and the second node. The wired cable comprises at least one first wire to convey DC power from the first power source of the first node to the second node to power the second communication device or from the second power source of the second node to the first node to power the first communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Kawamoto, Tadashi Morita
  • Patent number: 10153654
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to methods, system and apparatus to optimize wireless charging by providing user notification when wireless charging efficiency is compromised. In an exemplary embodiment, the charging efficiency value of a device under charge (DUC) is calculated. When the charging efficiency value drops below a predefined threshold, the user is notified to relocate the DUC to a new location with respect to the Power Transmission Unit (PTU) to enhance charging efficiency. In another embodiment, a PTU charging efficiency map is generated to help guide the user for optimal wireless charging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Lei Shao, Xintian E. Lin
  • Patent number: 10148045
    Abstract: A plug unit for a hybrid vehicle is provided. The plug unit includes a low voltage plug connected to or disconnected from a low voltage circuit formed by a low voltage battery and a low voltage component, and allows a current to flow between the low voltage battery and the low voltage component when the low voltage plug is connected to the circuit. A high voltage plug connected to or disconnected from a high voltage circuit formed by a high voltage battery and a high voltage component, and allows a current to flow between the high voltage battery and the high voltage component when the high voltage plug is coupled to the circuit. Further, a main base having the high voltage plug mounted thereon, allows current flow in the circuits when the base is mounted and obstructs the current flowing in the high voltage circuit when the base is demounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jun Ho Bang
  • Patent number: 10148135
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a computing device includes: a power receiving unit to receive energy wirelessly from a power transmitting unit via a receive coil; a load modulation logic to modulate a load coupled to the receive coil to cause a message to be transmitted to the power transmitting unit via a first channel coupled to the receive coil; and a wireless communication circuit to communicate with the power transmitting unit via a second channel. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Intel IP Corporation
    Inventors: Yuval Elad, Shahar Porat, Alex Nayshtut
  • Patent number: 10141773
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for method is provided for controlling power transmission in a power transmitter. Voltage information required by a plurality of power receivers is received from the plurality of power receivers. The voltage information includes a minimum voltage, a reference voltage that is greater than the minimum voltage, and a demanded voltage. Power is transmitted to the plurality of power receivers. A report about a power reception condition while transmitting the power is received from the plurality of power receivers. The report includes a measured voltage at the plurality of power receivers. One of the plurality of power receivers is selected. An amount of the power is adjusted by minimizing a difference between the demanded voltage and the measured voltage of the selected power receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kang-Ho Byun, Se-Ho Park, Hae-Young Jun, Hee-Won Jung
  • Patent number: 10141742
    Abstract: A regulating system that in the event of a deviation from the nominal grid frequency provides a balancing power for an electrical power grid that is operated at a nominal grid frequency, wherein the regulating system comprises: multiple energy storage system units that are connected by an inverter to the electrical power grid and comprise an energy storage device; and a control center that divides into sub-frequency intervals a frequency deviation interval that lies between a minimum grid frequency and a maximum grid frequency about the nominal grid frequency and, in dependence upon the states of charge of the energy storage devices allocates different energy storage system units, ESS, to each sub-frequency interval so as to form an ESS cluster for the respective sub-frequency interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: CATERVA GMBH
    Inventors: Juergen Wienboeker, Marc Moeller, Roland Gersch
  • Patent number: 10141738
    Abstract: A local positioning system can be powered via local and remote direct current sources. The local positioning system may have a power module that selectively activates one, or both, local and remote direct current sources to power a location circuit positioned on a circuit board. The location circuit may attain a position of a user and subsequently transfer that attained position to a remote host via the remote direct current source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Innov8tive, LLC
    Inventor: Gray Delacluyse
  • Patent number: 10141737
    Abstract: The application discloses a mobile power pack, a power control circuit and an electrical connection device. The power control circuit comprises: a voltage detecting module configured to detect a voltage of an external power source and generate a voltage detection signal indicative of the voltage of the external power source; a control module configured to receive the voltage detection signal and generate a coupling control signal according to the voltage detection signal; a coupling module configured to operably couple a first power source and a second power source, receive the coupling control signal, and in response to the coupling control signal change the way the first power source is coupled with the second power source to control the first power source and the second power source coupled together to output electric energy under different output voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: SHENZHEN CARKU TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yun Lei
  • Patent number: 10141740
    Abstract: A power converter may be configured to power multiple output loads, including a main output load and at least one auxiliary output load. The power converter may include control circuitry that controls power delivery to output circuits coupled to the output loads. When the main output load is operating in a reduced power mode, the control circuitry may trigger the switching circuitry to increase the supply of power in order to increase the auxiliary voltages used to power the auxiliary loads if one or more of the auxiliary voltages drops below a threshold due to the main output load operating in the reduced power mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: Qingcong Hu
  • Patent number: 10141979
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of using near field communication (NFC) and wireless power transmission (WPT) are provided. A power receiving apparatus includes a resonator configured to receive a power and to output the power. The power receiving apparatus further includes a near field communication (NFC) receiver configured to perform wireless communication using the power output by the resonator. The power receiving apparatus further includes a wireless power transmission (WPT) receiver configured to supply a voltage using the power output by the resonator. The power receiving apparatus further includes a connecting unit configured to selectively connect the resonator to either the NFC receiver or the WPT receiver. The power receiving apparatus further includes a mode selector configured to control the connecting unit to selectively connect the resonator to either the NFC receiver or the WPT receiver based on the power output by the resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong Zo Kim, Sang Wook Kwon, Ki Young Kim, Nam Yun Kim, Yun Kwon Park, Eun Seok Park, Young Ho Ryu, Chang Wook Yoon, Jin Sung Choi, Young-tack Hong
  • Patent number: 10131298
    Abstract: The present disclosure teaches a control unit for the exchange of electrical power between a first, a second, a third, and a fourth wiring system branch of a wiring system of a vehicle. The control unit may include a first switching device, a second switching device, a third switching device, and a first, second, third, and fourth terminal configured for connection to the first, second, third and fourth wiring system branches respectively. The first switching device may be connected between the first terminal and the fourth terminal. The second switching device may be connected between the fourth terminal and the third terminal. The third switching device may be connected between the second terminal and the third terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Paul Boucharel, Sergio Perez Guillen, Dirk Reichow, Damien Verdier
  • Patent number: 10129948
    Abstract: A load control device may include a semiconductor switch, a control circuit, and first and second terminals adapted to be coupled to a remote device. The load control device may include a first switching circuit coupled to the second terminal, and a second switching circuit coupled between the first terminal and the second terminal. The control circuit may be configured to render the first switching circuit conductive to conduct a charging current from an AC power source to a power supply of the remote device during a first time period of a half-cycle of the AC power source, and further configured to render the first and second switching circuits conductive and non-conductive to communicate with the remote device via the second terminal during a second time period of the half-cycle of the AC power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Russell Weightman, Jonathan T. Lenz, Jaykrishna A. Shukla, Daniel Curtis Raneri
  • Patent number: 10122218
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for long distance transmission of offshore generated power. A turbine is located offshore. The turbine can be mechanically coupled to a generator. A guided surface waveguide probe is electrically coupled to the generator and configured to launch a guided surface wave on a terrestrial medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: CPG Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James F. Corum, Kenneth L. Corum, John Robert Ashcroft, Stephen W. Wilson, Michael W. Miller