Patents Examined by Robert Grant
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Patent number: 11837895Abstract: Embodiments include smart jumper cables for jump-starting a vehicle. A jumper cable is configured with an electronic control module that monitors the connection at each end of the jumper cable, and only closes the circuit when a battery or vehicle electrical system is detected as properly connected to each end. In some embodiments, the electronic control module opens the circuit when a successful jump-start is detected. In some embodiments, the electronic control module further monitors the temperature of the jumper cable, and modulates the power transfer or opens the circuit if the temperature exceeds a predetermined level.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2020Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: OX PARTNERS, LLCInventor: Scott Rumbaugh
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Patent number: 11827353Abstract: A smart battery includes a battery and a measurement module coupled to measure electrical characteristics of the battery. The smart battery also includes processing logic and a communication interface configured to receive the electrical characteristics and transmit the electrical characteristics to a receiver.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2022Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: WiBotic Inc.Inventor: Benjamin Waters
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Patent number: 11828814Abstract: A method detects electrical fault states of a plurality of energy storage cells interconnected with one another in series and/or in parallel in a removable battery pack using a first monitoring unit integrated in the removable battery pack and a multiplexer measuring apparatus, which can be controlled by the first monitoring unit to sequentially measure cell voltages of the energy storage cells. A further monitoring unit sends a command to the first monitoring unit to control the multiplexer measuring apparatus, and is provided in an electrical device, in particular a charging device, a diagnostic device or an electrical consumer, that can be electrically connected to the removable battery pack.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2021Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Andreas Friese, Christoph Klee, Marc-Alexandre Seibert, Mickael Segret
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Patent number: 11820243Abstract: A charger includes a DC port, a first AC port, a second AC port, a bidirectional converter, and a switching device. The switching device includes at least one switching relay that selectively switches between a first power path and a second power path, the first power path connecting the bidirectional converter and the first AC port, the second power path connecting the bidirectional converter and the second AC port. The charger further includes a limiting resistance connected in parallel to a position that bypasses a switching relay on the first power path.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2021Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Toru Ando
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Patent number: 11824377Abstract: Methods and devices useful in performing magneto-inductive charging and communication in the absence of a cellular and/or internet network connection are provided. By way of example, an electronic device includes inductive charging and communication circuitry configured to receive a signal configured to induce a charging function based at least in part on an inductive coil coupled to the inductive charging and communication circuitry. Inducing the charging function includes charging an energy storage component of the electronic device. The inductive charging and communication circuitry is also configured receive an indication to switch from the charging function to a communication function. The communication function is based at least in part on the inductive coil. The inductive charging and communication circuitry is further configured establish a communication link between the electronic device using the inductive coil to transmit and receive communication signals.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2020Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Andro Radchenko, Federico P. Centola, Vaneet Pathak
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Patent number: 11811250Abstract: An electrical consumer system includes an electrical consumer with a first mating interface and a first plurality of electrical contacts, and a removable battery pack including a second mating interface and a second plurality of electrical contacts, the second mating interface configured to removably mate with the first mating interface such that the second plurality of contacts contact the first plurality of contacts. At least one of the first and second mating interfaces includes a temperature sensor configured to detect at least one of a temperature of the at least one of the first and second mating interfaces, and a temperature of the first or second electrical contacts of the at least one of the first and second mating interfaces.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2021Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Arindam Haldar, Axel Kuhnle, Benjamin Grauer, Christian Wiedemann, Jan Breitenbach, Marcin Rejman, Tobias Mangold, Tobias Overbeck
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Patent number: 11804721Abstract: A multi-power distributed storage system including a first power source; a second power source electrically connected to a common bus with the first power source; a single input port inverter electrically connected to the common bus. The system including a controller configured to communicate with at least the second power source, and the single input port inverter. The second power source including a plurality of battery banks and a plurality of bi-directional DC/DC converters configured to charge and discharge the plurality of battery banks and provide DC to the single input port inverter.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2021Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: NEXTRACKER LLCInventor: Yang Liu
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Patent number: 11804725Abstract: Systems and methods may provide for wireless charging device of an electronic device powered by a rechargeable battery. The wireless charging device may include a charging station having a charging surface with a power transmitter and a contour that concentrically interfaces with a corresponding contour of an inner surface of the electronic device in a manner that facilitates an initiation of a power charging sequence at the charging surface when the charging station detects an operational coupling between the power transmitter and a power receiver of the electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2021Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Gregory A. Peek, Mark R. Francis, Torrey W. Frank
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Patent number: 11799305Abstract: A system for charging a rechargeable power tool battery pack. The system includes a housing having a first port, a second port, and a power bus. The first port is configured to receive at least one selected from a power supply and a charging module. The second port is configured to receive the other of the at least one selected from the power supply and the charging module. Wherein the power supply is configured to supply a charging voltage, and wherein the charging module includes a battery receptacle configured to receive the rechargeable power tool battery pack, the rechargeable power tool battery pack having a first battery characteristic. The power bus is within the housing. The power bus is configured to provide an electrical connection between the first port and the second port and distribute the charging voltage.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2020Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Donald J. Truettner, Babacar J. Diop, Kyle C. Fassbender
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Patent number: 11794322Abstract: The present disclosure provides various embodiments of a fastener-driving tool that includes a battery-charged supercapacitor as a power source. The fastener-driving tool includes first and second spaced-apart, conductive rails and a partially conductive piston slidably mounted on the rails. The rails and the piston are electrically connected to one another. The supercapacitor is electrically connected to the first rail. When the supercapacitor discharges electrical current, the electrical current flows from the supercapacitor, into the first rail, through the piston into the second rail, and from the second rail. The electrical current induces magnetic fields in the rails and the piston, and the combination of the electrical current and the magnetic fields induce a Lorentz force that acts on the piston to move the piston toward a nosepiece to drive a fastener.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2020Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Chinbay Q. Fan, Patrick Talano
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Patent number: 11791646Abstract: A device including a first receptacle for receiving a first electronic device, a second receptacle for receiving a second electronic device, a first switching charger for fast charging the first electronic device, and a second switching charger for fast charging the second electronic device. The device may determine that the first electronic device is communicatively coupled to the device within the first receptacle and that the second electronic device is communicatively coupled to the device within the second receptacle. The device may receive a first request from the first electronic device to fast charge the first electronic device via the first switching charger and charge the first electronic device via the first switching charger. Additionally, the device may receive a second request from the second electronic device to fast charge the second electronic device via the second switching charger and charge the second electronic device via the second switching charger.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2022Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ming Feng, Benjamin Gaide
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Patent number: 11784499Abstract: A multi-port battery charge and discharge system used for battery pack charge and discharge. The multi-port battery charge and discharge system has a plurality of voltage converting circuits, each of which can operate in a charge mode to supply load and charge a battery pack or in a discharge mode to supply power sinks. The multi-port battery charge and discharge system further has at least one switch module providing an additional current signal to charge the battery pack.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2021Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Monolithic Power SystemsInventors: Christian Sporck, Min Xu, Rui Wang
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Patent number: 11760218Abstract: Various embodiments of the teachings herein include a charging circuit for a vehicle-side electrical energy store comprising: an alternating current terminal; at least two smoothing capacitors; a configuration device; and a rectifier connecting the alternating current terminal to the configuration device. The configuration device connects the rectifier to the smoothing capacitors, and the configuration device is programmed to connect the smoothing capacitors to one another in a first parallel connection and a second series connection. The alternating current terminal comprises a neutral conductor terminal connected to the configuration device via a diode circuit. The configuration device comprises a first switch connecting the smoothing capacitors to one another in parallel when closed. The configuration device comprises a diode connecting the smoothing capacitors to one another in series when closed.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2019Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBHInventors: Franz Pfeilschifter, Martin Götzenberger, Manuel Brunner
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Patent number: 11764592Abstract: A charging device adapted to charge a mobile device includes a fixing base, a charging arm and a restoring member. The charging arm has a first arm end and a second arm end opposite to each other. The first arm end is pivotally connected to the fixing base. During a process of the mobile device docking with the second arm end of the charging arm, the charging arm is adapted to pivotally rotate relative to the fixing base to a docked position corresponding to the mobile device. The restoring member extends along a central axis and is connected to the fixing base and the charging arm. The restoring member provides an elastic potential energy to the charging arm, such that when the mobile device moves away from the charging device, the charging arm is moved from the docked position to an original position by the elastic potential energy.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: PEGATRON CORPORATIONInventors: Hsin-Lin Chuang, Wen-Chang Chuang
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Patent number: 11757300Abstract: Provided is a power-generating apparatus comprising a box having a cavity and a lid, one or more solar panels disposed on the box, and one or more battery packs disposed within the cavity, where the one or more solar panels are configured to charge the one or more battery packs. The apparatus may further comprise a turbine configured to charge the one or more battery packs.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Walter Corporation LLCInventor: Waynard Schmidt
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Patent number: 11752896Abstract: Example embodiments of systems, devices, and methods are provided for intraphase and interphase balancing of modular energy systems. The embodiments can be used in a broad variety of mobile and stationary applications in a broad variety of modular cascaded topologies. The embodiments can include the generation of a module status value that is representative of status information collected or determined for the module. The module status value can be an intermediate quantitative representation of the status of each module as it pertains to one or more operating characteristics sought to be balanced by the system. This intermediate quantitative representation can then be used in the generation of a modulation index for the module, which can then be used as part of a larger control technique, such as pulse width modulation, for control and balancing of the system.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: TAE Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Roozbeh Naderi, Mikhail Slepchenkov
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Patent number: 11750021Abstract: An electrical power system has a dual battery configuration that enables sufficient power supply for a spacecraft bus and a payload module being carried by the spacecraft. During a sunlight power mode, power is drawn from a solar array of the bus to power a low-discharge payload of the spacecraft and a high-discharge payload of a payload module. During the sunlight power mode, a low rate discharge battery and a high rate discharge battery are charged by a battery charge management unit of the spacecraft bus. During an eclipse power mode, the low rate discharge battery powers the low-discharge payload of the spacecraft and the high rate discharge battery powers the high-discharge payload of the payload module. The high-rate discharge battery may also be used to power the high-rate discharge payload in the sunlight power mode to meet its high current demands to meet a flexible mission operations.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2020Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Christopher M. Cosner, John F. Stickelmaier, John J. Wootan
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Patent number: 11742672Abstract: A system and method for a portable electronic device case assembly is described that allows a user to use multiple types of chargers to charge their mobile electronic device using the portable electronic device case assembly. Further, the case assembly also provides an integrated auxiliary splitter that permits a user to plug in headphones or other auxiliary cables into the top and bottom of the personal computing device.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2019Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Inventor: Nicholas Tivas
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Patent number: 11735787Abstract: A battery pack system, a control method thereof and a management device are provided. A battery pack is connected in series with a discharge circuit unit and a charge circuit unit; a battery management unit is to monitor a temperature of the battery pack, to periodically send, when the temperature of the battery pack is lower than a threshold, a turn-on-instruction to the discharge circuit unit and the charge circuit unit alternately to control the discharge circuit unit and the charge circuit unit to be alternately turned on in heating cycles; the discharge circuit unit is to be turned on according to the turn-on-instruction to enable electricity of the battery pack to flow into the energy storage unit in discharging-phase; and the charge circuit unit is to be turned on according to the turn-on-instruction to enable electricity of the energy storage unit to flow into the battery pack in charging-phase.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2020Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., LimitedInventors: Xiyang Zuo, Zhimin Dan, Wei Zhang, Yizhen Hou, Teng Yu, Wenbin Lu, Xingyuan Wu, Taosheng Zhu
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Patent number: 11728662Abstract: A cell balancing device based on a capacitor network, a cascadable balancing battery pack, and a control method thereof, used for battery pack balancing control, and the battery pack being composed of n battery units connected in series; the cell balancing device comprises: n half bridge circuits, each half bridge circuit being connected in parallel to two ends of a battery unit, the midpoint of each half bridge circuit being connected in parallel to a corresponding switch capacitor, and each half bridge circuit comprising two switch transistors connected in series; an energy storage capacitor network, comprising a basic energy storage capacitor network composed of n switch capacitors connected in series; a chain-type driving capacitor network, one end thereof being electrically connected to one of the half bridge circuits or the energy storage capacitor network, and the other end thereof being electrically connected to a drive pulse generator, and the drive pulse generator being electrically connected to theType: GrantFiled: November 21, 2022Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignees: QINGDAO ANJIE ENERGY TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD.Inventor: Yanquan Li