Patents by Inventor Blake Edward Dickinson

Blake Edward Dickinson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11034260
    Abstract: A method of protecting an electric vehicle (EV) charger connector from excessive heat includes monitoring the internal temperature of an electrical connector, the electrical connector having pilot and pilot return signal lines, reducing a voltage between the pilot and pilot return signal lines in response to the internal temperature exceeding a first threshold, and reducing charging current provided through the electrical connector in response to the change in voltage so that the internal temperature exceeding the first threshold will result in a reduction of charging current through the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: WEBASTO CHARGING SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Blake Edward Dickinson, Bradford M. Hori, Daniel D. Dresselhaus
  • Publication number: 20180309173
    Abstract: A system of battery cell monitoring includes at least one battery, at least one temperature sensor disposed within a battery cell within the at least one battery, a processor configured to receive a signal from the temperature sensor, the signal comprising a voltage indicative of a temperature of the temperature sensor, detect a sudden decrease in temperature of the temperature sensor, and determine whether a battery cell watering event has occurred based on the sudden change in temperature of the temperature sensor, and a memory configured to store received signals over a period of time, and store determined watering events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventor: Blake Edward Dickinson
  • Patent number: 10038225
    Abstract: A method of battery cell monitoring includes measuring a temperature of an electrolyte in a battery cell using a temperature sensor, outputting from the temperature sensor a plurality of electrolyte temperature signals indicative of the temperature of the electrolyte over time, providing the plurality of electrolyte temperature signals to a system controller, determining by the system controller a sudden transition in the electrolyte temperature signals, and logging a watering event data indication in a memory in response to calculating the sudden transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: AEROVIRONMENT, INC.
    Inventor: Blake Edward Dickinson
  • Publication number: 20160339786
    Abstract: A method of protecting an electric vehicle (EV) charger connector from excessive heat includes monitoring the internal temperature of an electrical connector, the electrical connector having pilot and pilot return signal lines, reducing a voltage between the pilot and pilot return signal lines in response to the internal temperature exceeding a first threshold, and reducing charging current provided through the electrical connector in response to the change in voltage so that the internal temperature exceeding the first threshold will result in a reduction of charging current through the connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Blake Edward Dickinson, Bradford M. Hori, Daniel D. Dresselhaus
  • Publication number: 20160315360
    Abstract: A method of battery cell monitoring includes measuring a temperature of an electrolyte in a battery cell using a temperature sensor, outputting from the temperature sensor a plurality of electrolyte temperature signals indicative of the temperature of the electrolyte over time, providing the plurality of electrolyte temperature signals to a system controller, determining by the system controller a sudden transition in the electrolyte temperature signals, and logging a watering event data indication in a memory in response to calculating the sudden transition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventor: Blake Edward Dickinson
  • Patent number: 8447543
    Abstract: Embodiments pertain to devices and systems having simulator circuitry, particularly to simulator circuitry configured to simulate an electric vehicle and test an electric vehicle charger. A test unit is configured to simulate a GFI current via modulator and to simulate electric vehicle loads via switched and combined resistor loads. The test unit provides for reprogramming of the electric vehicle charger via a pilot line. The test unit self-confirms its usability via associating received codes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Aerovironment, Inc.
    Inventors: Blake Edward Dickinson, Albert Joseph Flack, Keith Michael Kolb, Scott Garret Berman
  • Publication number: 20120116745
    Abstract: Embodiments pertain to simulator circuitry, particularly to simulator circuitry configured to simulate an electric vehicle and test an electric vehicle charger. A test unit is configured to simulate a GFI current via modulator and to simulate electric vehicle loads via switched and combined resistor loads. The test unit provides for reprogramming of the electric vehicle charger via a pilot line. The test unit self-confirms its usability via associating received codes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Blake Edward Dickinson, Albert Joseph Flack, Keith Michael Kolb, Scott Garret Berman
  • Publication number: 20120022811
    Abstract: Embodiments pertain to simulator circuitry, particularly to simulator circuitry configured to simulate an electric vehicle and test an electric vehicle charger (110). A test unit (210) is configured to simulate a GFI current via modulator (1623) and to simulate electric vehicle loads via switched and combined resistor loads (1800). The test unit (220) provides for reprogramming of the electric vehicle charger (110) via a pilot line (323). The test unit (220) self-confirms its usability via associating received codes (1300).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Blake Edward Dickinson, Albert Joseph Flack, Keith Michael Kolb, Scott Garret Berman