Plural Sources Of Supply Patents (Class 307/18)
  • Patent number: 10725516
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a power-off method of the semiconductor device, the semiconductor device including a first power source group including first and second power sources, a second power source group including a third power source and a power sequence controller. The power sequence controller performs power-on operations and power-off operations of the first to third power sources. The power sequence controller starts a power-off operation of the first power source group at a first time, and starts a power-off operation of the second power source group when the power voltage of the first power source group becomes a first voltage or when a first reference time has passed from the first time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ho-Yeon Jeon, Dae Hwan Kim, Young Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 10666218
    Abstract: A matching module includes an input terminal connected to an input node, a variable load capacitor, and a plurality of RF signal delivery branches. The input terminal is connected to receive RF signals from one or more RF generators. The load capacitor is connected between the input node and a reference ground potential. Each of the plurality of RF signal delivery branches has a respective ingress terminal connected to the input node and a respective egress terminal connected to a respective one of a plurality of output terminals. Each of the plurality of output terminals of the matching module is connected to deliver RF signals to a different one of a plurality of plasma processing stations/chambers. Each of the plurality of RF signal delivery branches includes a corresponding inductor and a corresponding variable tuning capacitor electrically connected in a serial manner between its ingress terminal and its egress terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Karl Leeser, Sunil Kapoor, Bradford J. Lyndaker
  • Patent number: 10651838
    Abstract: A DC power switching assembly includes a plurality of series connected power switching units. Each power switching unit has a first terminal of the unit and a second terminal of the unit, the terminals having the same polarity. A power switching sub-unit is electrically coupled between the first terminal and the second terminal of the unit to control current flow between the first terminal and the second terminal. The sub-unit has at least one semiconductor device, a current limiter and a pair of series connected diodes in parallel with the current limiter. The series connected diodes and current limiter are connected to one terminal of the semiconductor device; and a capacitor is connected to the other terminal of the semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Espen Haugan
  • Patent number: 10618420
    Abstract: An electric power supply control system includes a plurality of electric power supply systems and a controller connected to the electric power supply systems. Each of the electric power supply systems includes a first secondary battery, a first load, a second secondary battery, a second load, and a DC-DC converter connected between the first secondary battery and the first load, and the second secondary battery and the second load. When a charge voltage of the first secondary battery of a first electric power supply system that is any one of the electric power supply systems becomes higher than the charge voltage of the first secondary battery of an electric power supply system other than the first electric power supply system by a predetermined voltage or more, the controller increases a level of output from a specific load in the first electric power supply system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takayoshi Kondo
  • Patent number: 10615634
    Abstract: A charge level for a first rechargeable power source, a second rechargeable power source, and a third rechargeable power source is determined. The first rechargeable power source is determined to be below a threshold level of charge. In response to determining that the first rechargeable power source is below a threshold level of charge, a switch is made from the first rechargeable power source to the second rechargeable power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ole Asmussen, Robert Beiderbeck, Frank Krick, Markus Schaefer
  • Patent number: 10551511
    Abstract: A radiation detection device includes: a radiation detection panel; a supporting member having a first surface on which the radiation detection panel is provided; plural power supply units that are bonded to a second surface of the supporting member opposite to the first surface of the supporting member; a housing that accommodates the radiation detection panel, the supporting member, and the plural power supply units; and plural spacers that are provided on the second surface so as to protrude more than the plural power supply units and contact with a bottom of the housing which faces the second surface, the plural power supply units include a first power supply unit and a second power supply unit that are arranged at an interval in a first direction in the second surface, and the plural spacers are as defined herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Hisatsugu Horiuchi, Masateru Tateishi, Shinsuke Noguchi
  • Patent number: 10505383
    Abstract: An intelligent charger for an aerosol delivery device includes a housing, first and second connectors connected to the housing, and a power management integrated circuit (PMIC). The first connector is configured to engage a control body of the aerosol delivery device. The second connector is configured to engage a power supply, which is connected with and controllable to provide power to recharge a power source of the control body when the first connector is engaged with the control body and the second connector is engaged with the power supply. The PMIC is configured to obtain measurements of a temperature of the power source, compare the temperature to a predetermined range of temperatures, and control the power provided by the power supply to maintain the temperature within the predetermined range of temperatures during recharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Rajesh Sur
  • Patent number: 10483754
    Abstract: Unique systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of a power grid control system. One exemplary embodiment is a microgrid comprising a plurality of switching devices, a plurality of distribution line segments, a plurality of measuring devices, each measuring device corresponding to one of the plurality of switching devices, and a network controller. The network controller is configured to: receive measurements from the plurality of measurement devices, determine a fault is occurring within the microgrid using the measurements, assign a topology classification to each of the plurality of distribution line segments, assign a proximity classification to each of the plurality of distribution line segments, determine fault location using the topology classification and the proximity classification, and isolate the fault by transmitting open commands to the two switching devices of the plurality of switching devices closest to the fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Junho Hong, Anil Kondabathini, Dmitry Ishchenko
  • Patent number: 10483755
    Abstract: A power converter includes a voltage conversion unit that provides a first driving voltage at a first output electrode by converting a power supply voltage in response to a first control signal, the voltage conversion unit being configured to provide a second driving voltage at a second output electrode by converting the power supply voltage after a short detection period, the voltage conversion unit being configured to shut down in response to a third control signal, and a short detection unit that generates the third control signal by comparing a magnitude of a voltage of the second output electrode with a magnitude of a reference voltage during the short detection period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung-Cheon Park
  • Patent number: 10439432
    Abstract: An electrical distribution grid energy management and router device, or GER device, may be installed in a distribution grid, and route power from power supply to one or more power consumers. The GER devices described herein may provide platforms to add one or more features to a distribution transformer, provide additional features and benefits to both the utility company and end consumer, and may serve as a platform for providing other features. A GER device may include sensors to measure electrical properties of incoming and outgoing power, and may include an electrical circuit layer having a central DC power stage. A GER device may include a physical layer providing a communications platform for one or more communication devices that may communicate with other GER devices to form a micro-grid, a utility, power consumers, third parties, and other electrical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: GRIDBRIDGE, INC.
    Inventors: Chad Eckhardt, Stephen Timothy Watts
  • Patent number: 10393818
    Abstract: A method for characterizing electrical impedance of an energy storage device includes the following steps: (a) controlling a first switching power converter to transfer electric power between a first energy storage device and a load, (b) controlling the first switching power converter to generate a sinusoidal perturbation on electric current flowing through the first energy storage device, (c) determining an alternating current (AC) component of the electric current flowing through the first energy storage device, (d) determining an AC component of voltage across the first energy storage device, and (e) determining a complex impedance of the first energy storage device based at least in part on the AC component of the electric current flowing through the first energy storage device and the AC component of the voltage across the first energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: THE TRUSTEES OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
    Inventors: Eric Din, Christopher Schaef, Keith Moffat, Jason T. Stauth
  • Patent number: 10381197
    Abstract: A transformer includes: a rotary shaft configured to rotate about a central axis of the rotary shaft as a rotational axis; a primary-side first coil configured to extend around a first axis perpendicular to the central axis; a secondary-side second coil configured to extend around a second axis and supported by the rotary shaft, the second axis being perpendicular to the rotational axis in an area surrounded by the first coil; and a secondary-side third coil configured to extend around a third axis and supported by the rotary shaft, the third axis being perpendicular to the rotational axis and forming a predetermined angle with the second axis in the area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Yohei Yamazawa
  • Patent number: 10380963
    Abstract: The present application includes a display driving circuit, driving method thereof, and display device. A voltage detection circuit is added to an existing display drive circuit, and the voltage detection circuit determines, according to a standard reference voltage signal outputted by a logic circuit, whether a reference voltage signal outputted by a power supply management circuit is abnormal. If the reference voltage signal is determined to be abnormal, the power supply management circuit is controlled to stop outputting the reference voltage signal, such that the power supply management circuit is in a static mode, and therefore, a display panel is in a constant white or constant black mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., HEFEI BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Liangliang Zheng, Tingting Jin
  • Patent number: 10376790
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for: establishing communications between a controller for operation by a user and a center device, wherein the center device is operable to execute at least one application program and to produce an output for display that is manipulated in accordance with inputs received by the center device from the controller device; measuring one or more pieces of biometric information of the user via a biometric sensor circuit of the controller; storing one or more pieces of predetermined user information, including authentication key information about the user in a memory element of the controller; and performing authentication of the user by comparing the measured biometric information with the predetermined authentication key information via a control circuit of the controller, where authentication is satisfied when the comparison indicates a predetermined threshold of concurrence between the measured biometric information and the predetermined authentication key information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Mariko Hino, Satoshi Hashimoto, Ken Kutaragi
  • Patent number: 10361560
    Abstract: A power system control instruction device performing a control instruction to the control device that controls the power system on the basis of a measured value transmitted from a sensor measuring a state value of the power system and a method for performing such a control instruction are provided. The device obtains a centralized control amount using a measured value of the sensor such that a system voltage meets a predetermined control purpose, and creates a distributed control model using the measured value and the centralized control amount. The device then determines whether or not a voltage deviation from the voltage appropriate range occurs when the control device performs control on the basis of the distributed control model, and re-creates the distributed control model when the voltage deviation occurs, and transmits the distributed control model that is re-created to the control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shota Omi, Masatoshi Kumagai, Kenichiro Yamane, Masahiro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10361629
    Abstract: An improved power manager includes a power bus (410) and multiple device ports (1-5), with at least one device port configured as a universal port (3 and 4) to be selectively connected to the power bus over an input power channel that includes an input power converter (510) or over a output or universal power channel (412, 416) that includes an output power converter (440, 442). The universal power channel (412) allows the input port (4) to be selected as an output power channel instead of an input power channel (i.e. operated as a universal port) for outputting power to device port (4) over power converter (440). The improved power manager (500) includes operating modes for altering an operating voltage of the power bus (505), to minimize overall power conversion losses due to DC to DC power conversions used to connect non-bus voltage compatible power devices to the power bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Revision Military Ltd.
    Inventors: David N. Long, Seth M. Dziengeleski, James D. Kazmierczak, Benjamin Apollonio, Michael J. Grennan, My H. Lac
  • Patent number: 10355498
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method to respond to an exceptional charge event including an overdischarge in an energy storage system having a plurality of series-connected battery elements. The method includes monitoring, using the microprocessor, the energy storage system for a charge imbalance using a first detection modality; initiating a reduction of said charge imbalance using a first response modality; monitoring, using the microprocessor, the energy storage system for the overdischarge of a particular one battery element of the plurality of battery elements using a second detection modality different from said first detection modality; and initiating a response to said exceptional charge event using a second response modality different from said first response modality, said response decreasing a risk associated with said overdischarge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: TESLA, INC.
    Inventors: Francisco LePort, Scott Ira Kohn
  • Patent number: 10348123
    Abstract: A system in accordance with an example includes a first load and a second load. The first load includes a first power supply connected to a first uninterruptible power supply (UPS). The second load includes a second power supply connected to a second UPS, where the first UPS is connected to the second UPS. The first power supply is to deliver power to the first load and to the second load when power to the second load is disabled, and the second power supply is to deliver power to the second load and to the first load when power to the first load is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT LP
    Inventor: Hai Ngoc Nguyen
  • Patent number: 10348098
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a micro-grid system including a load. The load includes: a distributed power source including one or more elements which generate power; and a controller configured to derive a first load pattern by measuring load data of the load when the load is added to the micro-grid system established in advance, compare the first load pattern with a preset load pattern for each load type, and operate the distributed power source based on a result of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong-Hark Shin, Jae-Seong Shim, Chong-Suk Song
  • Patent number: 10320202
    Abstract: A 12 volt automotive battery system includes a first battery coupled to an electrical system, and the first battery includes a first battery chemistry. Further, the 12 volt automotive battery system includes a second battery coupled in parallel with the first battery and selectively coupled to the electrical system via a bi-stable relay. The second battery includes a second battery chemistry that has a higher coulombic efficiency than the first battery chemistry. Additionally, the bi-stable relay couples the second battery to the electrical system during regenerative braking to enable the second battery to capture a majority of the power generated during regenerative braking. Furthermore, the bi-stable relay maintains a coupling of the second battery to the electrical system when the vehicle transitions from a key-on position to a key-off position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Daniel B. Le, Perry M. Wyatt
  • Patent number: 10305278
    Abstract: A voltage control system includes a first voltage converter, a second voltage converter and a voltage monitoring module. The first voltage converter is coupled to a first power source and configured to convert first electrical energy of the first power source into a first output voltage. The second voltage converter is coupled to a second power source and configured to convert second electrical energy of the second power source into a second output voltage. The voltage monitoring module is coupled to the first voltage converter and the second voltage converter. The voltage monitoring module is configured to regulate the first output voltage or the second output voltage by controlling the first voltage converter and the second voltage converter according to the first output voltage and the second output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: MSI COMPUTER (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chia-Sheng Chuang, Pei-Ching Kuo, Wen-Chi Chen
  • Patent number: 10270258
    Abstract: Aspects relate to a system and a method of manufacturing an integrated device. The method includes providing a circuit board, configuring an upper surface of the circuit board as a substrate, integrally depositing photovoltaic device layers that include at least a semi-conductor absorber layer, a buffer layer, and a top electrode layer on the upper surface of the circuit board to form a photovoltaic device using the upper surface of the circuit board as a photovoltaic device substrate, wherein the buffer layer is integrally deposited between the semi-conductor absorber layer and the top electrode, and electrically connecting the photovoltaic device to one or more on-board electronic components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Talia S. Gershon, Richard A. Haight, James B. Hannon, Teodor K. Todorov
  • Patent number: 10270259
    Abstract: Aspects relate to a system and a method of operating an integrated device is provided. The method includes providing a circuit board that includes one or more on-board electronic components and an upper surface configured as a substrate, providing photovoltaic device layers that include at least a semi-conductor absorber layer, a buffer layer, and a top electrode layer on the upper surface of the circuit board that form a photovoltaic device using the upper surface of the circuit board as a photovoltaic device substrate, wherein the buffer layer is integrally deposited between the semi-conductor absorber layer and the top electrode, generating electricity using the photovoltaic device, and powering one or more of the on-board electronic components using the electricity from the photovoltaic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Talia S. Gershon, Richard A. Haight, James B. Hannon, Teodor K. Todorov
  • Patent number: 10260409
    Abstract: A system for generating electrical power includes engine generators positioned on a pad and housed within an enclosure. The pad may have a first side having an associated long axis and a shorter second side having an associated short axis. The short axis is transverse to the long axis. The engine generators are electrically coupled to one another in a parallel fashion. Each engine generator includes a prime mover and an alternator that are serially aligned with the short axis of the pad. The enclosure encloses the engine generators and has a plurality of side walls, a roof, and a floor. The enclosure includes at least one intake opening formed in the floor to provide airflow into an interior of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: EVOLVE HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Tye Johnson, Bo Williamson, Clay Bludau
  • Patent number: 10250134
    Abstract: An improved power manager includes a power bus (410) and multiple device ports (1-5), with at least one device port configured as a universal port (3 and 4) to be selectively connected to the power bus over an input power channel that includes an input power converter (510) or over a output or universal power channel (412, 416) that includes an output power converter (440, 442). The universal power channel (412) allows the input port (4) to be selected as an output power channel instead of an input power channel (i.e. operated as a universal port) for outputting power to device port (4) over power converter (440). The improved power manager (500) includes operating modes for altering an operating voltage of the power bus (505), to minimize overall power conversion losses due to DC to DC power conversions used to connect non-bus voltage compatible power devices to the power bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Revision Military Ltd.
    Inventors: David N. Long, Seth M. Dziengeleski, James D. Kazmierczak, Benjamin Apollonio, Michael J. Grennan, My H. Lac
  • Patent number: 10250254
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for controlling a power device including one or more power elements, one or more drive modules configured to provide a drive signal with respect to the one or more power elements through a signal line and provided with a first wireless module, and an upper level controller configured to a control signal with respect to the one or more drive modules through a signal line and provided with a second wireless module corresponding to the first wireless module, wherein each of the one or more drive modules transmits state information of the one or more power elements and the one or more drive modules to the second wireless module through the first wireless module, and the upper level controller transmits a control signal corresponding to the state information to the first wireless module through the second wireless module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung-Hee Kang, Gyoung-Hun Nam, Gyu-Sung Bae
  • Patent number: 10240817
    Abstract: A water heating system includes a tank, one or more heating elements mounted on the water heating system, and a first controller mounted on the tank. The first controller is coupled to the one or more heating elements and includes logic to activate and deactivate the heating elements according to a first threshold value. The water heater also includes a second controller that is selectively coupled to the first controller and configured to communicate the first threshold value to the first controller, and perform an additional function related to the operation of the water heater. The first controller is configured to receive the first threshold value from the second controller and control the one or more heating elements based on the received threshold value, and to control the one or more heating elements mounted on the water heating system in a physical absence of the second controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Terry G. Phillips, Wade C. Patterson
  • Patent number: 10234497
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for increasing a quantity of candidate electronic-component states determinable from one or more input pins. The techniques may use an internal pull resistor to test a strength of an external resistor to gain two extra candidate pin states. Additional candidate electronic-component states are then gained based on the extra candidate pin states, combinations of pin states of two or more input pins, and/or detecting a short between two or more input pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Chiu-Mao Chang, Chih-Chung Chang
  • Patent number: 10222425
    Abstract: A battery control IC includes a voltage measurement unit that measures, in a normal current mode, a voltage value of each of a plurality of unit battery cells forming a battery pack, and measures, in a short-time large-current mode, a voltage value of a unit battery cell that has exhibited a lowest voltage value in the normal current mode, and a calculation unit that calculates an available power value of the battery pack in the short-time large-current mode based on a voltage value, measured in the short-time large-current mode, of the unit battery cell that has exhibited the lowest voltage value in the normal current mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Hidekazu Nagato, Hiromasa Takahashi, Masaki Komatsu, Kenta Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10193344
    Abstract: [Solving Means] A power storage system includes, for example, a plurality of power storage modules connected in parallel to a power line and a system voltage acquisition unit that obtains a system voltage in the power line. The power storage module includes a power storage section formed of one or more storage batteries and a current control unit that controls a current that flows between the power storage section and the power line. The current control unit controls, according to the system voltage and a voltage of the power storage section, the current that flows between the power storage section and the power line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Suguru Sekita
  • Patent number: 10148878
    Abstract: Systems and methods for extending operation of radio-frequency (RF) power amplifiers. In some embodiments, a method for fabricating a wireless device can be implemented. The method includes providing a flash LED driver and a radio-frequency block, coupling an output of the flash LED driver and the radio-frequency block and coupling the flash LED driver with a controller to allow the flash LED driver to provide boosted voltage to the radio-frequency block under a selected condition. Accordingly, the power amplifier can operate for a longer time when powered by a battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Innsung Lee
  • Patent number: 10122185
    Abstract: A battery management system includes a constant voltage DC/DC converter, an integrated circuit, and a regulator. The converter receives a first voltage from a plurality of battery cells and generates a first output voltage at a substantially constant level. The integrated circuit measures voltages of the cells and balances the cells. The regulator converts the first output voltage to a second output voltage. The first output voltage is supplied as a power supply voltage of the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ywun Seok Jeon
  • Patent number: 10110110
    Abstract: When switching operations of converter cells are stopped due to temporary voltage reduction in an AC system, a voltage determination unit performs determination regarding a voltage of each DC capacitor after a predetermined period has passed, and a charge control unit transmits a charging gate signal, via a gate control unit, to select a converter cell at a voltage level at which a self-feeding circuit of the converter cell is operable. Thus, a DC capacitor of a converter cell whose voltage is lower than the voltage level at which a self-feeding circuit is operable is charged, thereby enabling switching operations of all the converter cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignees: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION, TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Fujii, Takushi Jimichi, Kaho Mukunoki, Ryosuke Uda, Taichiro Tsuchiya, Akihiro Matsuda, Hisanori Taguchi
  • Patent number: 10090763
    Abstract: A multi-level buck converter is provided with multiple control loops to regulate the output voltage across a wide duty cycle range while also regulating the flying capacitor voltage. The regulated flying capacitor voltage is exploited to drive the switch transistors that float with respect to ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: DIALOG SEMICONDUCTOR (UK) LIMITED
    Inventors: Mark Mercer, Bryan Quinones, Hyungtaek Chang, Michael Jayo
  • Patent number: 10088882
    Abstract: An electronic control unit includes a microcomputer, a power supply IC and a peripheral circuit part. The microcomputer includes a core operable with a first power supply voltage and an input/output circuit operable with a second power supply voltage higher than the first power supply voltage. The power supply IC generates the first power supply voltage and the second power supply voltage. The peripheral circuit part has a first input terminal for the first power supply voltage, a second input terminal for the second power supply voltage, and an internal circuit operable with a potential between the first power supply voltage and the second power supply voltage. A core input terminal for the first power supply voltage, a first output terminal for the first power supply voltage in the power supply IC and the first input terminal are electrically connected one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mitsuru Aoki
  • Patent number: 10082805
    Abstract: A system, device, and method for adjusting temporal settings of an electronic plumbing controller are provided. A removable time adjustment device includes at least one input device, at least one interface configured to communicate with the electronic plumbing controller, and at least one controller configured to set or adjust, on the electronic plumbing controller through the at least one interface, at least one temporal setting for the at least one plumbing fixture based at least partially on user input from the at least one input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: SDB IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Rock R. Allard, III, Blaine Anderson, Robert M. Cannon, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10056760
    Abstract: The subject of the invention is an installation (10) able to be electrically autonomous comprising elements to be powered (12, 20) from among which: —a building (12) comprising at least one room delimited by at least one wall and one roof, and —an electricity distribution terminal (20), situated outside the building and comprising means of connection for the connection to at least one external electrical apparatus, the installation comprising means for powering the elements comprising: —means for generating energy (16) on the basis of a natural source, —means for storing energy (56), —means of interconnection (58, 62, 64) of the means of storage and/or of the means of generation to the elements to be powered, the installation also comprising: —means of measurement (72) of at least one parameter relating to the energy stored in at least one part of the energy storage means, and —means of control (66, 68, 67) of the means of interconnection as a function of the values obtained by the measurement means, so that
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: BLUE SOLUTIONS
    Inventors: Jacques Colin, Christian Sellin, Yvon Le Paven, Jean Caron, Pierre-Luc Etienne, Valery Florimond, Karim Sammouda, Alain Vallee
  • Patent number: 10050439
    Abstract: A device (10) for the electric power supply of a load (11), includes at least two energy storage elements (13, 14), elements for determining the power needs of the load (11), elements (16, 17) for monitoring each energy storage element (13, 14), which are able to provide information about a maximum instantaneous power of each energy storage element (13, 14), a calculation body (19) for determining a maximum secured power according to the electromotive force (Ebat(t)) and the resistance (Rbat(t)) of the Thévenin model, a maximum specified current and a maximum specified voltage, and elements (Cbat(t), Csc(t)) for controlling each energy storage element (13, 14), the elements being adjusted over time according to the power needs of the load (11) and the maximum secured power of each energy storage element (13, 14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignees: AIRBUS GROUP SAS, AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE SAS
    Inventors: Benoit Fleury, Gregor Massiot, Pierre-Bertrand Lancelevee, Julien Labbe
  • Patent number: 10035428
    Abstract: A power delivery system for an electric vehicle provides efficient power management for either continuous or intermittent high-performance operation, using a boost stage and an on-board charging circuit. A main battery, configured as a high-capacity power source, supplies power to the electric motor under normal load conditions. An auxiliary boost battery assists the main battery in supplying a high-level current at a higher discharge rate thereby causing the motor to operate in a high-performance drive mode. A charging circuit recharges the boost battery from the main battery during operation of the motor. The charging circuit also maintains a charge balance between the boost battery and the main battery when the two batteries have different chemistries. In one embodiment, participation of the boost battery in powering the electric motor can be controlled automatically according to sensed changes in the load. In another embodiment, power management can be based on timed intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Gogoro Inc.
    Inventor: Yi-Tsung Wu
  • Patent number: 10025336
    Abstract: A computer-based method for contingency analysis of oscillatory stability in an electrical power transmission system is provided. The method uses at least one processor. The method includes receiving, by the at least one processor, a plurality of component inputs from a plurality of system components within the electrical power transmission system. The method also includes generating a nominal matrix for the electrical power transmission system. The nominal matrix includes a set of equations at least partially modeling the electrical power transmission system. The method further includes calculating eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the nominal matrix. The method also includes identifying a contingency representing a postulated disturbance of the electrical power transmission system. The method further includes estimating a contingency eigenvalue for the contingency using the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the nominal matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Chaitanya Ashok Baone, Nilanjan Ray Chaudhuri, Naresh Acharya
  • Patent number: 10003104
    Abstract: Effecting a sleep mode of a cell supervision circuit of a rechargeable battery, in which the cell supervision circuit is not in the sleep mode after at least one sleep command sent to the cell supervision circuit, and in which a command for a software reset of the cell supervision circuit is sent to the cell supervision circuit after confirmation of the sleep mode is absent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Joerg Christoph Wilhelm, Volkher Hofmann, Marc Heydemann, Holger Wetzel
  • Patent number: 9988135
    Abstract: A system for limiting power to a plurality of on-line consumers includes an operating characteristic sensor associated with each of a plurality of prime movers and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a maximum torque capability of each of the plurality of prime movers, determine the available electrical power response of each of the plurality of generators, determine a total available electrical power response, and determine a total maximum power demand. The controller then compares the total available electrical power response to the total maximum power demand, and upon the total maximum power demand exceeding the total available electrical power response, limits power to the plurality of on-line consumers to no more than the total available electrical power response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Perry D. Converse, Theodore E. Wiersema
  • Patent number: 9970977
    Abstract: Systems and methods which utilize spread spectrum sensing on live circuits to obtain information regarding a circuit under test are provided. In some embodiments S/SSTDR testing may be utilized to obtain R, L, C and Z measurements from circuit components. In yet further embodiments, these measurements may be utilized to monitor the output of sensors on a circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Cynthia Furse, Faisal Khan
  • Patent number: 9969298
    Abstract: A low voltage battery charger is provided that includes a fuel cell stack that generates electrical energy by a reaction of hydrogen and oxygen and an air blower that supplies air to the fuel cell stack. A high voltage DC converter converts an output voltage generated at the fuel cell stack to a high voltage. A high voltage battery is charged with the output voltage converted by the high voltage DC converter. A low voltage DC converter converts the output voltage generated at the fuel cell stack to a low voltage and a low voltage battery is charged with the output voltage converted by the low voltage DC converter. A controller then variably adjusts a charge voltage of the low voltage battery based on an air amount supplied to the fuel cell stack through the air blower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Boung Ho Min, Kyuil Lee, Sung Gone Yoon
  • Patent number: 9923371
    Abstract: A ring bus Shared Resource electrical System (SRS) has at least an essential electrical power ring bus and a critical electrical power ring bus as well as multiple SRS electrical power distribution platforms. Each SRS distribution platform includes one or more interconnected essential switchboards and two or more interconnected critical switchboards. Each essential switchboard is coupled through the essential electrical power ring bus to essential switchboards of two other SRS distribution platforms, and each critical switchboard is coupled through the critical electrical power ring bus to critical switchboards of two other SRS distribution platforms. Each SRS distribution platform directs power to one nominal load group and as well is configured to distribute power to a load group nominally supplied by another SRS distribution platform. One or more controller in each SRS distribution platform synchronizes the output voltage of SRS distribution platforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Rosendin Electric, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Emert, William Paul Mazzetti, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9914548
    Abstract: A power management system includes a power management and load distribution (PMLD) circuit within an airplane coupled to an AC power source, at least one AC/DC conversion circuit operable to convert the AC power into a DC power, and at least one programmable output capability outlet (PPCO) circuit operable to receive the DC power. The PMLD circuit stores a predetermined maximum power limit, continuously measures a power output, and increases or decreases a power capability setting based on a comparison of the measured power output to the predetermined maximum power limit. The PPCO circuit includes a USB connector couplable to a personal electronic device (PED) of a passenger for charging the PED at an amount of DC power indicated by the power capability setting. The PPCO circuit is also operable to negotiate a power contract with the PED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Imagik International Corporation
    Inventor: Pablo Vadillo
  • Patent number: 9912164
    Abstract: One embodiment provides an apparatus. The apparatus includes a plurality of storage elements coupled in series. The storage elements are to capture and store energy received from a plurality of sources. The apparatus further includes a balancer coupled to the plurality of storage elements. The balancer is to balance energy drawn from each storage element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Pavan Kumar
  • Patent number: 9906130
    Abstract: An electrical source system has an electrical power converter which has a plurality of switching elements and performs an electrical power conversion with first and second electricity storage apparatus; and a control apparatus which controls an operation of the electrical power converter, when the electrical power converter performs the electrical power conversion with one electricity storage apparatus, the control apparatus controls the electrical power converter to change a switching state of one of two switching elements while keeping a switching state of the other one of the two switching elements in an ON state, each of two switching elements constitutes predetermined arm element whose switching state should be changed to perform the electrical power conversion with the one electricity storage apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaya Kaji, Shuji Tomura, Masanori Ishigaki, Naoki Yanagizawa
  • Patent number: 9902539
    Abstract: This invention is directed towards a waste enclosure device (“device”) comprising a waste enclosure employing operational functions including collection and monitoring capacity wherein said device includes one or more programmable logic controllers. Operational functions are performed by electrical components including sensors to determine waste deposits characteristics and contents. Said device operational functions are further adapted to send and receive data, optionally wirelessly, and configured and adapted to utilize solar derived electrical power and, optionally, electric power from other sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: BIG BELLY SOLAR, INC.
    Inventors: James Andrew Poss, Jeffrey T. Satwicz, David J. Skocypec
  • Patent number: 9906035
    Abstract: A method of operating an electrical feeder permits the electrical feeder voltage to be maintained at the minimum voltage within a voltage range based upon dynamic grouping together of electrical generators on the electrical feeder with demand response loads on the electrical feeder. A method of assessing the proper operation of a voltage control device on the electrical feeder involves detecting a number of properties of the electrical power in the electrical feeder both prior to and subsequent to a change in an operational parameter of a voltage control device. An expected effect upon the electrical feeder of one or more distributed generators is filtered from this in order to determine a net effect of the voltage control device itself on the electrical feeder. Based upon the detected net effect and a predicted baseline effect for the voltage control device, it can be determined whether the voltage control device is functioning properly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: COOPER TECHNOLOGIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Dongbo Zhao, Yigang Wang, Chinmaya Baburao Patil