Motor Supplied With Power From External Source Patents (Class 180/2.1)
  • Patent number: 11938836
    Abstract: An electric car charging apparatus using a pad-mounted transformer according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a first port configured to supply power to an electric car, a second port electrically connected to the first port and configured to receive power from a pad-mounted transformer, and a breaking unit configured to switch between connection and disconnection of the first port and the second port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seong-Man Kim, Hyeong-Chan Kim, Ho-Seong Yun, Sang-Kyoum Kim, Min-Kab Kim, Chang-Muk Kim
  • Patent number: 11912348
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes a sensor arrangement configured to sense one or more regions proximate to an exterior of the vehicle, and a controller configured to process signals generated by the sensor arrangement and to detect and generate a geometric profile of a trailer in the one or more regions proximate to the exterior of the vehicle, the controller further determining an air resistance of the trailer based on the geometric profile and calculating an expected driving range of the vehicle based on the detected air resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Darren Palmer, Ryan O'Gorman, Peter Phung, Katherine Howard-Cone
  • Patent number: 11866043
    Abstract: A power control device is provided for controlling an electric machine in a vehicle trailer. The electric machine is coupled to at least one wheel of the vehicle trailer to be able to convert mechanical rotation power at the wheel and electric power at the electric machine into one another. The power control device is configured to control a mechanical power output and/or a mechanical power input of the electric machine and is configured to control the mechanical power output and/or the mechanical power input of the electric machine as a function of a present driving condition of a towing vehicle pulling the vehicle trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Slawa Knorr
  • Patent number: 11548583
    Abstract: A powered wheeled riding device is configured to receive left and right foot inputs from a user and in response control a left motor and a right motor to move respective left and right wheels forwardly and backwardly consistent with the left and right foot inputs in order to steer the device without changing a direction of the wheels relative to a frame of the riding device. The riding device has at least one rear wheel that is not powered. The rear wheel is mounted on a wheel mount that rotates freely about a vertical axis so that the rear wheel freely is directed in any direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: MVN Entertainment, L.P.
    Inventors: Mia Monzidelis, Chris Monzidelis, Stephen Goodhand
  • Patent number: 11389738
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to wheel-based human-powered spinning system comprising: a chassis configured to secure a user; a track surrounding said chassis; and at least one omni wheels attached to said chassis, wherein said chassis spins with unlimited range of motion, along pitch, yaw and roll axes, inside the track while supported by said at least one omni wheels, said track being independent of contact from said chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Inventor: Martin Alonso Sanchez Animas
  • Patent number: 11092276
    Abstract: A CIPP liner feeder system for efficiently feeding CIPP liner into an air inversion unit. The CIPP liner feeder system generally includes a feed roller attached to an air inverter unit that is adjustable to a first position for feeding a CIPP liner into the air inverter unit from the front or a second position for feeding a CIPP liner into the air inverter unit from the rear. A motor is connected to the feed roller to rotate the feed roller in a first direction when the feed roller is in the first position and a second direction when the feed roller is in the second position. A connecting structure is attached to the air inverter unit for connecting to a lifting/lowering structure of a tractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Subsurface, Inc.
    Inventor: Brandon Gregory Strom
  • Patent number: 11052296
    Abstract: A gymnasium or playing field game apparatus provides one or more movable target components in the shape of a mascot mounted on swivel casters which roll on the gym floor or other playing field. Each component serves as a movable target for projectiles thrown by two teams from geometrically opposite sides. Each mascot is moved incrementally upon being impacted by a projectile to move the mascot on the gym floor until it “breaks through” a designated goal finish line of traffic cones protecting one team or the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Inventor: Michael Shannon
  • Patent number: 11046302
    Abstract: Through-the-road (TTR) hybrid designs using control strategies such as an equivalent consumption minimization strategy (ECMS) or adaptive ECMS are implemented at the supplemental torque delivering electrically-powered drive axle (or axles) in a manner that follows operational parameters or computationally estimates states of the primary drivetrain and/or fuel-fed engine, but does not itself participate in control of the fuel-fed engine or primary drivetrain. Crowdsourced distributions of adaptations and/or selections of BSFC type data allow ECMS implementations (or other similar control strategies) employ efficiency curves for a particular paired-with fuel-fed engine and/or operating conditions and to improve overall efficiencies of the TTR hybrid configuration. In some cases, signatures are used to identify appropriate BSFC type data for crowdsourced dissemination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Hyliion Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Richter, Jamie Noland, Morgan Culbertson
  • Patent number: 11005286
    Abstract: A dual actuated power pack (300) comprises a battery (104) and first (101) and second (102) electric motors, as well as a power generator (103). The first electric motor (101) is powered by the battery (104) and the second electric motor (102) by a grid (106). The first and second electric motors (101, 102) are mechanically coupled (108) with each other so that when said second electric motor (102) is powered, said second electric motor (102) actuates (109) said power generator (103) and said first electric motor (101) at the same time, whereupon the first electric motor (101) functions as a hi-power battery charger and recharge the battery (104) when said second electric motor (102) actuates (109) the power generator (103). When the second electric motor is not used, the first electric motor (101) is powered (104, 105), and the power generator (103) is actuated (108) by said first electric motor (101).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Normet OY
    Inventor: Timo Oikarinen
  • Patent number: 10870364
    Abstract: A method for autonomously charging an electric motor vehicle based on a customer order using an autonomous vehicle having electric battery storage includes receiving a request to charge the electric motor vehicle, loading into a memory of the autonomous vehicle a customer profile that includes a location of the electric motor vehicle, a vehicle identifier, and an electric charge amount, autonomously driving to the location of the electric motor vehicle, identifying the electric motor vehicle based on the vehicle identifier, and charging the electric motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Bedestrian LLC
    Inventor: Shadi Mere
  • Patent number: 10850637
    Abstract: An electrified railway power supply system without negative sequence in the whole process and without power supply networks at intervals, can comprise an external power supply system, an input power supply system from external to internal, and an internal power supply system. For external power supply, single-phase power supply is changed to double-phase power supply, and power of a single phase is input to the power supply system within the train via a contactor on a left arm and a right arm of a double-phase pantograph. No neutral section for passing of phase separation is provided in the whole process of operation, and a plurality of sections in the whole process are provided with no power supply network at intervals, and the motor train unit can operate normally without mechanical support for the power supply network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: JILIN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yuquan Song, Xiaofang Guan
  • Patent number: 10828773
    Abstract: A voice interactive robot interacting with a user by voice includes a main body, a movable part capable of moving relative to the main body, a following control unit that moves the movable part so that the movable part follows the user, a temporary origin setting unit that sets a temporary origin of the movable part in response to movement of the movable part by the following control unit, an acquisition unit that acquires an operation instruction issued in relation to the movable part, and an operation execution unit that moves the movable part in accordance with the operation instruction using the temporary origin as a reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hayato Sakamoto, Atsushi Ikeno, Masaaki Hanada, Takehiko Ishiguro, Masayuki Taniyama, Toshifumi Nishijima, Hiromi Tonegawa, Norihide Umeyama, Satoru Sasaki
  • Patent number: 10832849
    Abstract: A wireless power transmission device for a vehicle is provided. The wireless power transmission device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises: a wireless power transmission module comprising at least one flat coil for transmitting wireless power and a magnetic field shielding sheet arranged on one surface of the flat coil; a heat radiating case for radiating heat generated by a heat source, with the wireless power transmission module being coupled to one side thereof and at least one circuit board for driving the wireless power transmission module being embedded therein; a heat radiating coating layer applied to the outer surface of the heat radiating case; and a cover detachably coupled to the heat-radiating case. The wireless power transmission device for the vehicle described above may be installed or embedded within a vehicle for using in charging the main battery of a portable terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Amogreentech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung Jae Hwang
  • Patent number: 10812151
    Abstract: Disclosed in the present application is a method by which a terminal having a plurality of distributed antenna groups transmits and receives a signal in a wireless communication system. Particularly, the method comprises the steps of: calculating channel quality indicators for each of distributed antenna groups; selecting a preferred distributed antenna group among the distributed antenna groups on the basis of the channel quality indicators; and reporting information on the channel quality indicators to a base station, wherein the method further comprises a step for reporting information on the preferred distributed antenna group to the base station when the preferred distributed antenna group differs from the preselected specific distributed antenna group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Heejin Kim, Jiwon Kang, Sunam Kim, Hanbyul Seo, Sangwook Lee
  • Patent number: 10742062
    Abstract: An electromagnetic generator comprising an antenna that receives radiofrequency energy. The antenna is connected to a rectifier circuit, which is used to charge a first battery using the radiofrequency energy received by the antenna. The first battery supplies power to a control unit, which powers at least one electromagnet to generate a magnetic field. A flywheel having at least one magnet is configured to rotate when the magnetic field is generated. An alternator, connected to the flywheel, charges a second battery based on the rotation of the flywheel. The second battery is then used to supply power to an external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Inventor: Eddie Oquendo Virella
  • Patent number: 10676021
    Abstract: A safety lighting system for use with trailers is described herein. In some embodiments, the trailer lighting system comprises a sensor, a controller, and safety lights. The safety lighting system may be used for illuminating trailers while being towed, for example, in shipping yards, construction yards, and shipping and receiving docks. The safety lighting system may be activated upon connection of a pneumatic system with a spotting tractor and deactivated upon establishing an electrical connection from a tractor to the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: IdeaTek Equity Group, LLC
    Inventor: Steven Adam Schrag
  • Patent number: 10587156
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a wireless power distribution system is disclosed. The wireless power distribution system includes a routing module having at least one processor configured to determine a route for a power-receiving device to travel responsive to receiving input about one or more characteristics associated with the power-receiving device or one or more wireless power transmitters for delivering power to the power-receiving device. The wireless power distribution system further includes the one or more wireless power transmitters operably coupled to the routing module. The one or more wireless power transmitters are configured to wirelessly transmit the power to the device at one or more locations along the route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: ELWHA LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10469619
    Abstract: The disclosure includes embodiments for performing beam alignment for non-line of sight (NLOS) scenarios. The method includes receiving, at a first vehicle, one or more wireless messages that include vehicle data, wherein the vehicle data describes a second vehicle position, a second vehicle speed, and a second vehicle heading. The method also includes determining sensor data. The method also includes determining an NLOS path based on the vehicle data and the sensor data so that the NLOS path avoids a potential blockage. The method also includes determining whether the NLOS path is predicted to succeed based on a beam transmission percentage satisfying a threshold percentage. The method also includes responsive to the NLOS path being predicted to succeed, performing beam alignment between the first vehicle and the second vehicle based on the NLOS path before the potential blockage is predicted to occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Inventors: Takayuki Shimizu, Vutha Va, Gaurav Bansal
  • Patent number: 10406593
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for accessing an interior of a fuselage assembly. A tower having a number of platform levels may be driven into a selected tower position within an assembly area. The interior of the fuselage assembly may be accessed using the number of platform levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Harinder S. Oberoi, Richard Griffith Reese, IV, Kevin Marion Barrick, Quang T. Do, Alan S. Draper, Yuanxin Charles Hu, Alfredo Jose Gerosa, Michael J. Kozak, Jeffrey Lawrence Miller
  • Patent number: 10398990
    Abstract: A theater area includes audience seating that faces outwardly in an “inverted-theater-in-the-round” arrangement towards a ring-shaped performance stage. The performance stage is designed to rotate around the audience area so that each section of the audience can see each part of the stage at different times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: WILLOWBROOK CAPITAL GROUP, LLC
    Inventor: Steve Fox
  • Patent number: 10340984
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for controlling energy transmission from a transmitter to at least one device, in particular network device, the system comprising: a controller which is configured to receive feedback information on energy transmission and/or on data transmission from the device and/or another device; and a mapper which is configured to allocate the device to an energy transfer resource based on the feedback information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Beatrice Tomasi, Marco Maso, Marios Kountouris, Moez Draief
  • Patent number: 10293700
    Abstract: A method includes: detecting a position of a moving, wireless charging-capable vehicle which travels over a primary coil of a wireless charging system operable to wirelessly charge the vehicle via a secondary coil installed in the vehicle; controlling the plurality of cross-coil junction units such that electric current flows through one or both of the top coil and the bottom coil in a manner which produces a first angle of magnetic flux for optimally wirelessly charging the vehicle given a position of the primary coil in relation to the detected position of the vehicle; and when a switching time occurs, controlling the plurality of cross-coil junction units to change the flow of electric current through one or both of the top coil and the bottom coil in a manner which produces a second angle of magnetic flux for optimally wirelessly charging the vehicle given the position of the primary coil in relation to an updated position of the vehicle as the vehicle traverses the primary coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc, Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Bilal Javaid, Allan Lewis, John Robb, Mohammad Naserian
  • Patent number: 10279693
    Abstract: A vehicle front portion structure includes: a non-contact charger disposed at a lower side of a vehicle front portion, configured to receive electric power transmitted from a non-contact power transmitting system, and carrying out charging of a battery that is installed in a vehicle; and a cross member disposed at the vehicle front portion further toward a vehicle front side than the non-contact charger, and extending in a vehicle transverse direction, a bottom surface of the cross member being disposed further toward a vehicle lower side than a bottom surface of the non-contact charger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuki Shimizu
  • Patent number: 10263446
    Abstract: The battery control circuit includes: a battery; a DC power supply unit; a first DC-DC converter providing a current path in a first direction of supplying the DC energy from the DC power supply unit to the battery, and a current path in a second direction of discharging the DC energy in the battery to a ground; a first capacitor fully discharging the battery in a manner that the sum of a voltage across the first capacitor and a voltage across the flow battery to be higher than an output voltage of the first DC-DC converter; a second DC-DC converter supplying the DC energy from the DC power supply unit to the first capacitor; and a controller controlling the first DC-DC converter to form the current flow path in the second direction when a number of times of charging and discharging the flow battery reaches a preset number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kiwoo Park, Jiheon Lee
  • Patent number: 10166885
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and a device for controlling the voltage of a catenary supplying electric power to rolling stocks. A first rolling stock: —detects a traction command or a regeneration command of a second rolling stock in the neighborhood of first rolling stock, —increases the electric power supplied by the first rolling stock to the motor drive of the first rolling stock when a regeneration command of the second rolling stock is detected, —decreases the electric power supplied by the first rolling stock to the motor drive of the first rolling stock when a traction command of the second rolling stock is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nicolas Voyer
  • Patent number: 10152043
    Abstract: An object is to prevent automatic operation from being started while a monitoring function is in a disabled state. The present invention provides a robot system includes a robot, a control unit controlling the robot, and an operation monitoring unit having a monitoring function for monitoring contact or the possibility of contact between the robot and a peripheral object. The operation monitoring unit has a monitoring changeover switch that switches between enabling and disabling of the monitoring function. The control unit has a mode changeover switch that switches between a manual operation mode, and an automatic operation mode. The control unit performs control so as to inhibit the operation of the robot in a state in which the monitoring function is disabled and in which the operation mode is set to the automatic operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Naitou, Soichi Arita
  • Patent number: 10137915
    Abstract: A system for monitoring railcar and tram consist operational parameters and detecting anomalies in the operation and condition thereof using sensors to feed data to a distributive complex event processing engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: AMSTED RAIL COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: William LeFebvre, Andrew Martin, Francis James Cooper, Rachel W. Adamec
  • Patent number: 10128670
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for determining whether an electronic device contacts a fluid or not. The electronic device may include: a housing; at least one sensor arranged in the housing; a coupling member connected to a part of the housing and configured to detachably couple the electronic device to a part of a body of a user; a conductive member arranged on a surface of the housing or on a surface of the coupling member and exposed to an outside while being electrically connectible to the at least one sensor; a processor electrically connected to the at least one sensor and the conductive member; and a memory electrically connected to the processor. The processor determines whether the conductive member has contacted a fluid or not using the at least one sensor and executes a second action at least partially based on the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youngkyun Ban, Soyoung Lee
  • Patent number: 10093367
    Abstract: A robotic device includes multiple sprockets coupled to a tread module. The robotic device also includes multiple first drive gears coupled to a drive shaft gear of the tread module. The robotic device further includes a second drive gear coupled to a carousel gear of the tread module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Donald Bolden Hutson
  • Patent number: 10065514
    Abstract: A power transfer system includes a power reception coil arranged on a bottom surface of a vehicle, a plurality of members arranged along the bottom surface, a plurality of temperature detectors arranged around the power reception coil, and a controller that causes the power to be transmitted from a power transmission coil to decrease when a detection temperature of any of the plurality of temperature detectors is equal to or higher than a prescribed threshold, the prescribed value being set lower for a temperature detector of the plurality of temperature detectors provided closer to a member having a lower heat resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroaki Yuasa
  • Patent number: 10061296
    Abstract: A machine control system includes an operation terminal which includes a communication unit and a touch panel unit and outputs machine operation information for operating a machine via the communication unit, a controller which controls the operation of the machine based on the received machine operation information, and a safety switch device which is mounted on the operation terminal and includes a switch unit which outputs a stop instruction signal for issuing an instruction to stop the machine, and a packet generation unit which converts the output stop instruction signal into a packet and outputs the packet to the operation terminal, wherein the operation terminal transfers the packet received from the safety switch device to the controller, and the controller restores a stop instruction signal from the packet received from the operation terminal and stops the machine based on the restored stop instruction signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shougo Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10036140
    Abstract: A track assembly of a machine having a pair of parallel main tracks is provided. The pair of parallel main tracks is mounted to a chassis for supporting the machine on a ground surface. Each of the pair of parallel main tracks includes a first end portion and a second end portion coupled to the first end portion. The second end portion is proximate, with respect to the first end portion, to an earth moving tool coupled to a frame of the machine. The second end portion is adapted to pivot about the first end portion. The track assembly further includes an actuation system coupling the frame with the earth moving tool, such that a movement of the actuation system to operate the earth moving tool translates into a pivoting movement of the second end portion for moving the second end portion with respect to the ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Ben Evans
  • Patent number: 10031906
    Abstract: Systems and methods for associated one or more images with one or more cells of a spreadsheet are described. As described, a plurality of images may be associated with a single cell or a single image may be associated with a range of cells. Additionally, an image and additional data may be associated with the same cell. Upon associating an image with a cell, various parameters of the image may be displayed for viewing and/or customization by a user. Additionally, sort and/or filter operations may be performed on the spreadsheet based on the various parameters of associated images and/or operations (e.g., fit and/or resize operations) may be performed on various parameters of associated images. An associated image may move with a cell when the cell is reordered within the cell table, or an associated image may be allowed to float over the grid but may be referenced by a cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: John Campbell, Carlos Augusto Otero, Christian Canton, John David Sully, Samuel C. Radakovitz, Matthew Hart Fichtner, Benjamin Edward Rampson
  • Patent number: 9956880
    Abstract: A drivable exercise machine may include an electric vehicle with human power input provided by a high output, variable-resistance pedal-driven generator. The vehicle may include a computing device with a user interface that mimics an electric exercise bicycle. Using one or more program modes, a user may activate pre-set, custom and dynamic terrain-based exercise program profiles while commuting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: RahtMobile, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Kronfeld, Lyon Smith, Russell Bockin, Steve Castellotti
  • Patent number: 9932058
    Abstract: Scaffolding transport carts for transporting scaffolding components from a jobsite delivery location to the location of scaffolding erection. Exemplary scaffolding transport cart embodiments may be moved and guided manually, or moved under the power of a motive device but under user control. A fully remote-controlled embodiment may also be provided. In any case, a scaffolding transport cart embodiment may dimensioned such that the scaffolding transport cart can fit through a standard doorway, even when loaded with scaffolding components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Inventors: Cathy R. Holloway, James R. Henderson
  • Patent number: 9902060
    Abstract: A robot control system of the present invention includes: a control device for controlling a machine; a portable wireless operation panel that can perform wireless communication with the control device to control the machine; a distance measuring unit that measures the distance between the machine and the portable wireless operation panel; a communication monitoring unit that monitors the communication quality of wireless communication between the control device and the portable wireless operation panel; a warning generator that emits a warning to the operator or stops the machine when the communication quality becomes lower than a predetermined criterion; and, a criterion changing unit that changes the predetermined criterion in accordance with the distance between the machine and the portable wireless operation panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ryoutarou Inaba
  • Patent number: 9901838
    Abstract: An inductively powered vehicle and an inductive charging segment. The vehicle may include a secondary coil, a drive motor, an electrical power storage device connected between said secondary coil and said drive motor, and a wireless communications unit. The charging segment may include a primary coil, a sense circuit operable to detect the presence of the vehicle based on a change in the detected impedance of the primary coil, and a power control unit operable to provide a time-varying current to the primary coil when the vehicle traverses the charging segment. The primary coil is positioned adjacent a track upper surface. The vehicle drive motor may be operable at first and second speed settings, and a remote control device can provide operating instructions to the vehicle wireless communications unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Richard B. Bylsma, Hai D. Nguyen, Joshua B. Taylor, William T. Stoner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9862277
    Abstract: An inductive power transfer system (10) for roadways includes at least one drive unit arrangement (50) coupled to at least one drive coil arrangement (40) disposed along a roadway (20) for generating a magnetic field extending upwardly from the roadway (20), and at least one vehicle (30) including a corresponding pickup coil arrangement (60) coupled to a power conditioning circuit arrangement (80, 200) for receiving the extending magnetic field for providing power to operate the at least one vehicle (30). The at least one drive unit arrangement (50) is operable to excite, for example at resonance, the at least one drive coil arrangement (40) at a fundamental frequency (f0) of at least 30 kHz, preferably at least 50 kHz, more preferably at least 100 kHz, and most preferably at least 140 kHz. The at least one drive coil arrangement (40) is implemented to be substantially devoid of ferromagnetic components for providing a path for the extending magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Inventors: Andrew Nicholas Dames, Andrew Howe, Timothy Sweyn Norris
  • Patent number: 9859730
    Abstract: In control means (10), a position of a mobile terminal (15) on an upper surface of a mobile terminal installation plate (6) is detected a plurality of times by a position detection coil (14) used as detection means, and when a previous detected position and a subsequent (referred to as next) detected position are the same, a charging coil (8) is moved by motors (28), (33) used as driving means to a charging position opposed to the previous detected position or the next detected position detected by the position detection coil (14), and the charging is then started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuki Tojo
  • Patent number: 9821234
    Abstract: A system includes a vehicle and a target. The vehicle includes a platform, a passenger seat supported above the platform, a pair of drive tires positioned on the platform, a pair of independent drive motors respectively connected to the pair of drive tires, and a laser gun mounted on the passenger seat. The target is targetable by the laser gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Amusement Products LLC
    Inventor: Earl Knight Magrath, III
  • Patent number: 9771001
    Abstract: An electrical grid management system is disclosed, and includes a plurality of segmented pathways that each include a corresponding renewable energy source and a vehicle propelled along the plurality of segmented pathways. The electrical grid management system includes a system control module including control logic determining a baseline operational plan. The baseline operation plan is based on scheduling and operational requirements of the vehicle. The electrical grid management system also includes a corresponding supercapacitor provided for at least one of the plurality of segmented pathways. The supercapacitor stores energy generated by the corresponding renewable energy source for later use to propel the vehicle along a corresponding segmented pathway. The electrical grid management system includes a plurality of section control modules in communication with the system control module, the corresponding supercapacitor, and the main grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: William Joseph Purpura
  • Patent number: 9764246
    Abstract: A theater area includes audience seating that faces outwardly in an “inverted-theater-in-the-round” arrangement towards a ring-shaped performance stage. The performance stage is designed to rotate around the audience area so that each section of the audience can see each part of the stage at different times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: DREAMLIGHT HOLDINGS INC.
    Inventor: Steve Fox
  • Patent number: 9711040
    Abstract: In a wireless control terminal configured to control a control target connected to a control apparatus by working in cooperation with a wireless assistant terminal capable of transmitting a predetermined control instruction for controlling the control target to the control apparatus by using a predetermined control wireless scheme with supply of power from a battery included in the wireless assistant terminal, a wireless control terminal-side battery is provided within the wireless control terminal so as to supply driving power required for control regarding emergency stop of the control target performed with a predetermined wireless scheme of the wireless control terminal. At least remaining storage power information regarding a remaining amount of storage power in the wireless control terminal-side battery is output to a notification apparatus provided in the wireless control terminal or the wireless assistant terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Keisuke Saito, Hajime Umeki, Daichi Ueki, Tetsuji Yamato
  • Patent number: 9667093
    Abstract: Mechanical, electronic, and business method facets are combined to create a highly integrated transportable power plant. A vehicle system incorporates and transports and electrical system capable of using alternating current and direct current electrical power inputs to charge onboard energy storage modules. The electrical system also provides alternating current and direct current electrical outputs via a bank of interoperable connectors whereby appliances such as cell phones and battery operating lighting products may be efficiently recharged. An enclosure of the vehicle system protects the electrical components, provides shelter for the operator, supports roof-mounted, flexible photovoltaic panels, and provides shelf surfaces for organizing and protecting devices being recharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Inventor: Karl F. Scheucher
  • Patent number: 9586483
    Abstract: An electrical power supply system with assistance with the making of electrical contact, of a type having a power supply arm mounted on a post positioned alongside the road, entering into electrical contact with a longitudinal conductor rail carried on the vehicle, is characterized in that the arm has—at its end—a means of rolling or sliding that enters into moving contact with an adjacent lane alongside the conductor rail at the beginning of its length. This invention concerns the domain of electrically-propelled vehicles carrying at least one longitudinal power supply rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: NewTL
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Andre
  • Patent number: 9522603
    Abstract: A charging station for an electric vehicle may include a charge head configured to engage with the charging blade of the vehicle to transfer power. The charge head may include a housing with a central cavity extending along its longitudinal axis and a plurality of electrode holders. Each electrode holder may include an electrode configured to transform from an extended configuration when the charging blade is not positioned in the central cavity to a retracted configuration when the charging blade is positioned in the central cavity. In its extended configuration, the electrode may extend into the central cavity from a side wall of the housing, and in the retracted configuration, at least a portion of the electrode may retract into the housing. Each electrode may also include a plurality of springs configured to bias the electrode in the extended configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Proterra Inc.
    Inventor: Justin Aaron Allen
  • Patent number: 9507360
    Abstract: A mine power management system includes: a first power line provided at an ascent and configured to exchange electric power with an ascending vehicle traveling on the ascent; a second power line provided at a descent and configured to exchange electric power with a descending vehicle traveling on the descent; and a power supply and storage apparatus configured to exchange electric power at least between the first power line and the second power line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Tojima, Kouichi Yamashita, Tsugio Sudou, Koji Takeda, Takao Nagai, Katsuhiro Kajino, Yasuhiro Yanagida, Yasuyuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9505315
    Abstract: A wireless power transfer system for selectively disabling a transmit antenna of a plurality of transmit antennas when a foreign object is detected is described. The system comprises a first transmit antenna configured to charge an electric vehicle positioned over a charging region via a first area of the charging region and also comprises a second transmit antenna configured to charge via a second area of the charging region. The system further comprises a controller circuit configured to selectively disable the first transmit antenna when a foreign object is detected in a first space that affects charging via the first area of the charging region. The controller circuit is further configured to selectively maintain activation of the second transmit antenna while the electric vehicle is positioned to receive power from the second transmit antenna via the second area when the foreign object is detected in the first space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Alberto Garcia Briz, Grzegorz Ombach
  • Patent number: 9497896
    Abstract: A toolbar implement with steering tracks connects to a tractor and a plurality of row units are connected to the toolbar implement. The toolbar implement contains: (a) a main longitudinal frame; (b) a transverse axle assembly; (c) a lift arm assembly pivotably connected to the frame and pivotably connected to the axle assembly for raising or lowering the frame relative to the axle assembly; (d) a control arm pivotably connected to each end of the axle; (e) a track assembly connected to each spindle; and (f) a steering mechanism extending between the control arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Inventor: Lyn A. Rosenboom
  • Patent number: 9426933
    Abstract: A resonance type non-contact power feeding system 10 includes, as a power reception side (secondary side) apparatus, a load device 50, a secondary coil 40, a secondary resonance coil 45, and a rectifier 160. A battery 52 is provided inside a load housing 54 of the load device 50. In addition, like a power transmission side metal shield 80 on the power transmission side, the resonance type non-contact power feeding system 10 includes a power reception side metal shield 90 that covers the secondary coil 40 and the secondary resonance coil 45, and a rectifier shield 170 that covers the rectifier 160. Moreover, a power reception side large metal shield 130 that covers the outside of the power reception side metal shield 90 and the rectifier shield 170 is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignees: YAZAKI CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: You Yanagida, Shinji Ichikawa, Satoru Horiuchi