Patents by Inventor Kandler SMITH

Kandler SMITH 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: 10298026
    Abstract: An apparatus for model predictive control (“MPC”) is disclosed. A method and system also perform the functions of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a measurement module that receives battery status information from one or more sensors receiving information from a battery cell, and a Kalman filter module that uses a Kalman filter and the battery status information to provide a state estimate vector. The apparatus includes a battery model module that inputs the state estimate vector and battery status information into a battery model and calculates a battery model output, the battery model representing the battery cell, and an MPC optimization module that inputs one or more battery model outputs and an error signal in a model predictive control algorithm to calculate an optimal response. The optimal response includes a modification of the error signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Utah State University
    Inventors: Michael Scott Trimboli, Gregory L. Plett, Regan A. Zane, Kandler Smith, Dragan Maksimovic, Michael Evzelman, Daniel Costinett, Richard Dyche Anderson
  • Patent number: 10277041
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a battery state module that determines a battery state of each of a plurality of battery cells forming a battery unit. A battery state includes a health of the battery cell. A battery state of a battery cell differs from a battery state of other battery cells of the battery unit. Each battery cell is connected to a shared bus through a bypass converter that provides power from the battery cell to the shared bus. A charge/discharge modification module determines, based on battery state, an amount to vary a charging characteristic for each battery cell compared to a reference charging characteristic. Each charging characteristic varies as a function of a reference state. A charge/discharge module adjusts charging/discharging of a battery cell of the battery unit based on the charging characteristic of the battery cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignees: UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY, ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, LLC, FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, A BODY CORPORATE
    Inventors: Regan A. Zane, Michael Evzelman, Daniel Costinett, Dragan Maksimovic, Richard Dyche Anderson, Kandler Smith, Michael Scott Trimboli, Gregory L. Plett
  • Patent number: 10063066
    Abstract: For battery control, an apparatus includes a shared bus and a plurality of isolated direct current (DC) to DC bypass converters. Each bypass converter is associated with one battery unit. Inputs of each bypass converter are in parallel electrical communication with the associated battery unit. Outputs of each bypass converter are in parallel electrical communication with the shared bus. Each bypass converter estimates a battery state for each battery unit and controls the battery state to a reference state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Utah State University
    Inventors: Regan A. Zane, Michael Evzelman, Daniel Costinett, Dragan Maksimovic, Richard Dyche Anderson, Kandler Smith, Michael Scott Trimboli, Gregory Loren Plett
  • Publication number: 20160336767
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a battery state module that determines a battery state of each of a plurality of battery cells forming a battery unit. A battery state includes a health of the battery cell. A battery state of a battery cell differs from a battery state of other battery cells of the battery unit. Each battery cell is connected to a shared bus through a bypass converter that provides power from the battery cell to the shared bus. A charge/discharge modification module determines, based on battery state, an amount to vary a charging characteristic for each battery cell compared to a reference charging characteristic. Each charging characteristic varies as a function of a reference state. A charge/discharge module adjusts charging/discharging of a battery cell of the battery unit based on the charging characteristic of the battery cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Regan A. Zane, Michael Evzelman, Daniel Costinett, Dragan Maksimovic, Richard Dyche Anderson, Kandler Smith, Michael Scott Trimboli, Gregory L. Plett
  • Publication number: 20160336765
    Abstract: An apparatus for model predictive control (“MPC”) is disclosed. A method and system also perform the functions of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a measurement module that receives battery status information from one or more sensors receiving information from a battery cell, and a Kalman filter module that uses a Kalman filter and the battery status information to provide a state estimate vector. The apparatus includes a battery model module that inputs the state estimate vector and battery status information into a battery model and calculates a battery model output, the battery model representing the battery cell, and an MPC optimization module that inputs one or more battery model outputs and an error signal in a model predictive control algorithm to calculate an optimal response. The optimal response includes a modification of the error signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Scott Trimboli, Gregory L. Plett, Regan A. Zane, Kandler Smith, Dragan Maksimovic, Michael Evzelman, Daniel Costinett, Richard Dyche Anderson
  • Patent number: 9341678
    Abstract: Fail-safe systems and design methodologies for large capacity battery systems are disclosed. The disclosed systems and methodologies serve to locate a faulty cell in a large capacity battery, such as a cell having an internal short circuit, determine whether the fault is evolving, and electrically isolate the faulty cell from the rest of the battery, preventing further electrical energy from feeding into the fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Gi-Heon Kim, Kandler Smith, John Ireland, Ahmad A. Pesaran, Jeremy Neubauer
  • Publication number: 20150214757
    Abstract: For battery control, an apparatus includes a shared bus and a plurality of isolated direct current (DC) to DC bypass converters. Each bypass converter is associated with one battery unit. Inputs of each bypass converter are in parallel electrical communication with the associated battery unit. Outputs of each bypass converter are in parallel electrical communication with the shared bus. Each bypass converter estimates a battery state for each battery unit and controls the battery state to a reference state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Regan Zane, Michael Evzelman, Daniel Costinett, Dragan Maksimovic, Richard Dyche Anderson, Kandler Smith, Michael Scott Trimboli, Gregory Loren Plett
  • Publication number: 20130113495
    Abstract: Fail-safe systems and design methodologies for large capacity battery systems are disclosed. The disclosed systems and methodologies serve to locate a faulty cell in a large capacity battery, such as a cell having an internal short circuit, determine whether the fault is evolving, and electrically isolate the faulty cell from the rest of the battery, preventing further electrical energy from feeding into the fault.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, LLC
    Inventors: Gi-Heon KIM, Kandler SMITH, John IRELAND, Ahmad A. PESARAN, Jeremy Neubauer