One Cell Or Battery Charges Another Patents (Class 320/103)
  • Patent number: 11283265
    Abstract: Various aspects of invention provide portable power manager operating methods. One aspect of the invention provides a method for operating a power manager having a plurality of device ports for connecting with external power devices and a power bus for connecting with each device port. The method includes: disconnecting each device port from the power bus when no external power device is connected to the device port; accessing information from newly connected external power devices; determining if the newly connected external power devices can be connected to the power bus without power conversion; if not, determining if the newly connected external power devices can be connected to the power bus over an available power converter; and if so, configuring the available power converter for suitable power conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: GALVION SOLDIER POWER, LLC
    Inventors: Philip T. Robinson, Seth M. Dziengeleski, James D. Kazmierczak, David J. Holigan
  • Patent number: 11264904
    Abstract: An energy storage module (ESM) assembly, ESM and method of balancing current flow on a direct current bus are provided. The ESM assembly includes a bidirectional DC-DC converter, an ESM having first and second energy cell strings connected in parallel relative to one another and configured to be connected to respective inputs of the bidirectional DC-DC converter. The ESM is configured to absorb current from the bidirectional DC-DC converter when the bidirectional DC-DC converter is operated in a buck mode. The ESM is configured to source current to the bidirectional DC-DC converter when the bidirectional DC-DC converter is operated in a boost mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew L. Wilhide, Christopher J. Courtney
  • Patent number: 11260755
    Abstract: The figures illustrate an apparatus (10-1, 10-2, 10-3) for a vehicle (100) comprising: first energy storage means (12) for storing electrical energy; second energy storage means (14) for storing electrical energy; and control means (16) arranged to transfer electrical energy from the second energy storage means (14) to the first energy storage means (12) when the level of electrical energy stored in the first energy storage means (12) is below a first electrical energy threshold level and the level of electrical energy stored in the second energy storage means (14) is above a second electrical energy threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Naveen Monahan, Baptiste Bureau
  • Patent number: 11259110
    Abstract: A charging case is configured with two sides that can store a pair of earbuds on one side and a pair of batteries on the other side; the batteries are connectable and interchangeable with the earbuds. Underneath a top lid is two earbud homes which correspond to the size and shape of the earbuds. The homes include an upper portion to hold the main body of the earbuds and an opening that receives the ear tip of the earbuds. Underneath the charging case's bottom lid are battery homes that can store and charge the earbud's detachable and rechargeable batteries. Each earbud and battery home includes charging points that engage with corresponding charging points on the earbuds and batteries, respectively. Charging lights that extend around a horizontal perimeter of the charging case are utilized to notify the user of input earbuds or batteries' charging status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Inventor: Robert Charles DeMaio
  • Patent number: 11251658
    Abstract: The present invention generally is a system and method for ground, atmospheric and space based solar powered electrical energy generation and transmission of beamed microwave power. Specifically it is a system and method for generating electrical energy from a plurality of photovoltaic cells dispersed on a flexible surface each in close proximity to and functionally connected to microwave generating and transmitting means for controllably forming one or more stronger microwave beams by combining a plurality of much weaker individual microwave beams. The invention can be a microwave beam weapon for detecting and transferring microwave energy to non-cooperative targets or it clear orbital debris by momentum transfer to space object through microwave radiation pressure. Most practically it can provide electric power and microwave beam weapon defense to remote military and civilian facilities, including forward operating bases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Inventors: David C. Hyland, Haithem A. Altwaijry
  • Patent number: 11251568
    Abstract: A first connector for electrically connecting a first unit power terminal through a third unit power terminal to a power converter for performing conversion between a DC power and an AC power is mounted to a mounting port. In a status in which the first connector is being removed from the mounting port, it is impossible to mount the first connector to the mounting port while the first unit power terminal through the third unit power terminal are inputting and outputting a DC power, and it is possible to mount the first connector to the mounting port while the first unit power terminal through the third unit power terminal are not inputting and outputting a DC power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shoichi Toya, Takeshi Nakashima, Yohei Yamada, Chie Kashiki, Yoshikatsu Ito
  • Patent number: 11251628
    Abstract: System for balancing series of cells, including circuits each having three or four cells, including: one or two central cells and additional neighboring cells in each circuit, each neighboring cell being adjacent to one central cells; a local capacitor for each neighboring cell, within a local section of each circuit; one global capacitor at a global section which is common to all the circuits; a plurality of controlled switches; a controller which periodically, repeatedly, and alternately opens and closes some switches to: within each circuit, connect each local capacitor in parallel to a respective neighboring cell; within each circuit, connect each local capacitor in parallel to the central cell if one central cell exists, or to another central cell if two central cells exist, respectively; within each circuit, connect said central cells of all circuits separately or simultaneously to said global capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: RAFAEL ADVANCED DEFENSE SYSTEMS LTD.
    Inventors: Mor Mordechai Peretz, Ilya Zeltser
  • Patent number: 11239673
    Abstract: A charging holder for electronic devices is shared for a plurality of electronic devices having different thickness, and is stably fixed even under vibration conditions. The holder has a holder body, a rotation block and a lock unit. A pocket for inserting an electronic device is formed in the holder body. The rotation block is rotated and biased so that a tip portion can protrude inside the pocket, and has a contact terminal which can contact a charging terminal of the electronic device. The lock unit is for locking the upper side of the electronic device to the holder body when the electronic device is pushed into the pocket and rotated. The rotation block is configured so that the lower part of the electronic device can be inserted therein, holds the lower part of the electronic device regardless of the thickness of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Icom Incorporated
    Inventors: Ken Kawaki, Haruki Nishizawa
  • Patent number: 11224737
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for a mechanical circulatory support system are disclosed herein. An implantable power supply can be part of a mechanical circulatory support system. The implantable power supply can include one or several energy storage components, a power source, a voltage converter, and an output bus. Power can be provided to the voltage converter from one or both of the power source and the first energy storage component. The voltage converter can convert the voltage of the power from a first voltage to a second voltage and can power the output bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: TC1 LLC
    Inventors: Ethan Petersen, Joseph C. Stark
  • Patent number: 11217856
    Abstract: A power tool system includes a power tool having a tool housing and a load disposed in the tool housing. The tool housing includes a battery pack receptacle having a set of tool terminals. The power tool system includes a set of battery packs. Each battery pack includes a battery pack housing operably connectable to the battery pack receptacle through a battery pack interface disposed on the battery pack housing, a set of battery cells disposed in the battery pack housing, and a set of battery pack terminals electrically connectable to the set of tool terminals and electrically connected to the set of battery cells. Each battery pack in the set of battery packs has a same nominal voltage and defines a common interface and at least a portion of the set of battery packs defines a total volume in a range of approximately 150 cm3 to 1300 cm3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Black and Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Varipatis, Timothy J. Hennesy, Craig Aaron Armacost
  • Patent number: 11208003
    Abstract: A method for determining a maximum storage capacity of an energy store, in particular as a drive battery of a vehicle with an electrical drive, including the steps of determining a state of charge of the energy store of the vehicle, charging the energy store until it reaches its maximum amount of charge, completely discharging the energy store using a separate energy storage unit for receiving the charge of the energy store, wherein an amount of charge transferred from the energy store to the energy storage unit is captured, and outputting the transferred amount of charge upon complete discharging of the energy store as the maximum capacity of the energy store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Inventors: Raoul Heyne, Dominik Volk
  • Patent number: 11201477
    Abstract: An electric device includes a first rechargeable battery and a second rechargeable battery that is lower, in a full charge voltage, than the first rechargeable battery; a first power source circuit that steps down a voltage output by the first rechargeable battery to a first voltage and outputs the first voltage; and a second power source circuit that steps down a voltage output by the second rechargeable battery to a second voltage that is lower than the first voltage and outputs the second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainmnt Inc.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Ohashi
  • Patent number: 11198366
    Abstract: A solar power generation system of a vehicle includes a solar panel configured to generate power by sunlight, a first load, an auxiliary battery configured to supply the power to the first load, a second load configured to drive the vehicle, a driving battery configured to supply power needed to drive the vehicle to the second load, a first power converter configured to supply the power generated by the solar panel to the auxiliary battery, and a second power converter configured to bidirectionally exchange the power between the auxiliary battery and the driving battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takahiro Hirano
  • Patent number: 11201490
    Abstract: Provided are a charging method, a terminal, and a non-transitory computer storage medium. The method includes the following. A charging voltage is detected in applying flash fast charging (FFC) to a terminal. Whether to end the FFC is determined according to the charging voltage. FFC is ended and a standing duration is recorded, where the standing duration is indicative of time which has elapsed after charging of a terminal is ended. A preset safe current is applied to the terminal, when the standing duration is longer than or equal to a preset threshold duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventor: Chen Tian
  • Patent number: 11177669
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method of equalizing a battery module supplies an equalization current to a battery module which is diagnosed to have abnormality via an equalization current supply circuit when an abnormality is generated in a state of charge (SoC) of one or more battery modules, and equalize the SoC of the one or more battery modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventor: Chang Hyun Sung
  • Patent number: 11177671
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic device comprising: a housing; a seating portion formed inside the housing such that a first external electronic device and a second external electronic device are seated thereon; at least one interface that is electrically connected to the first external electronic device and to the second external electronic device and can transmit/receive power to/from the same; and a processor electrically connected to the at least one interface, wherein the processor acquires a first remaining time to use a first battery included in the first external electronic device connected through the at least one interface; the processor acquires a second remaining time to use a second battery included in the second external electronic device connected through the at least one interface; and the processor manages power of at least one of the first battery and the second battery such that the first remaining time to use the first battery and the second remaining time to use the second battery become substa
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Inventors: Yeong Gyu Yoon, Min Sung Lee, Min Woo Yoo, Jong Chul Choi
  • Patent number: 11171496
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a battery protection board, including: a body; a voltage jump detection circuit, disposed on the body, and configured to detect whether a voltage jump occurs in a voltage of a battery, and to output a voltage jump signal when a voltage jump occurs in the voltage of the battery; and a battery protection unit, coupled to an output end of the voltage jump detection circuit, and configured to determine that the battery is damaged when the voltage jump signal is received, and to protect the battery. The present disclosure also discloses a battery assembly having the above battery protection board and a terminal device having the battery assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventors: Wei Chen, Jialiang Zhang, Shebiao Chen
  • Patent number: 11161416
    Abstract: A system for drainage avoidance includes an interface and a processor. The interface is configured to receive an indication to power on. The processor is configured to query a wake up voltage threshold, perform a boot sequence, determine whether the boot sequence completed successfully, and in the event the boot sequence completed successfully, provide a reset indication to reset the wake up voltage threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Lytx, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Denson
  • Patent number: 11163006
    Abstract: A hybrid battery charger-testing device is described being a modification of a battery charger having a DC output stage, and a boost converter added to the DC output stage of the charger, the boost converter being configured to output pulses and/or a continuous AC wave for testing a battery. The hybrid charger can be used to output a purely AC test wave, e.g. sinusoidal wave for an electrochemical impedance spectroscopy test, to output pulses such as HPPC pulses and/or to perform GITT or incremental charge tests. For example, determination of battery parameters by diagnostic testing can be achieved by combining the existing functionality of a battery charger with test procedures involving currents much lower than used during charging of the battery or of returning battery energy to the electricity grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: VITO NV
    Inventors: Peter Coenen, Sven De Breucker, Grietus Mulder
  • Patent number: 11165266
    Abstract: A method of charging a mechanical object using a charge storage device. The method includes determining that an initial battery has lost voltage, removing the initial battery, and installing a replacement battery. Installing the replacement battery places the replacement battery in electrical communication with an adjacent capacitor. In another embodiment, the method includes providing a capacitor in a locomotion machine, and energizing a starter in electrical communication using the capacitor. The method also includes starting an engine of the locomotion machine using a charge from the starter, and then re-charging the capacitor as the locomotion machine moves. The method further comprises determining that the capacitor has lost voltage due to insufficient recharge activity, and re-charging the capacitor with a portable power pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Systematic Power Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Scottie Johnson, Eric C. Ricker
  • Patent number: 11153819
    Abstract: A battery controller buffers a higher voltage provided by a primary cell in order to charge a secondary cell that operates at a lower voltage. The battery controller includes a storage device that is charged by the primary cell. When the voltage of the storage device reaches a threshold, the battery controller conducts the stored charge into the secondary cell while isolating the secondary cell from the primary cell. The secondary cell, when charged, powers a node that operates with a low voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: ITRON NETWORKED SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Bruce Edwards
  • Patent number: 11146076
    Abstract: A battery system includes a battery module, an active cell balancing circuit, and a battery controller. Each cell has diametrically-opposed positive and negative cell tabs. The circuit includes voltage sensors and, at each end of the battery module, first and second tiers of switches and an energy storage element. Each voltage sensor is located between a different pair of adjacent cells. The controller receives measured voltages from the sensors indicative of an electric potential between adjacent battery cells. Responsive to the measured voltages, the controller commands the first tier to selectively connect or disconnect designated pairs of cells to the corresponding second tier. The controller also commands the second tier to selectively connect or disconnect the designated cells to a corresponding energy storage element. This action shuttles energy between the designated pairs of battery cells to balance a state of charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Tamara R. Thomson, Fang Wang, Tao Wang, Theodore T. Kim, Larry T. Nitz
  • Patent number: 11142092
    Abstract: A power supply system for a vehicle is provided, and the system may include: a charging inlet connected to a main battery and connectable to a power supply external to the vehicle; a voltage converter configured to step down a power of the main battery by a switching element and supply the stepped-down power to a sub-battery; and a controller configured to control the voltage converter, in which the controller is configured to slow down a switching speed of the switching element, as compared with when the main battery is not being charged, while the charging inlet is connected to the power supply and the main battery is being charged by the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Manabu Handa, Kenshi Yamanaka, Kenji Goto
  • Patent number: 11128149
    Abstract: A charging apparatus is provided. A detection circuit includes a voltage dividing path between an output terminal of a charging circuit and an output terminal of a reference voltage generating circuit. The detection circuit provides a detection signal according to a divided voltage on the voltage dividing path. A control circuit determines whether a load is connected to the charging apparatus according to the detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Merry Electronics(Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Po-Chia Chien, Chi-Yin Lo, Yung-Hsiang Liu
  • Patent number: 11121560
    Abstract: Techniques of charging electronic devices involve directing electrical power from a first device to the battery of a second device in response to the first device being in a first state, and directing electrical power from the second device to the battery of the first device in response to the first device being in a second state. For example, in response to a connection being established between a first device (e.g., a tablet computer) and a second device (e.g., a monitor), a charger of the first device detects a state of charge of the battery of the first device and a state of charge of the second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Toshak Singhal, Willis Calkins
  • Patent number: 11108256
    Abstract: A multi-port battery charge and discharge system used in the charge and discharge battery pack application. The multi-port battery charge and discharge system has N voltage converting circuits, each of which can operate in a charge mode to charge a battery pack or in a discharge mode to supply power sinks. The N voltage converting circuits can be operated in a master-slave configuration with one of the N voltage converting circuits set as a master voltage converting circuit and the remained ones set as slave voltage converting circuits. In a charge state, the master voltage converting circuit provides a regulated current signal to charge the battery pack, and the slave voltage converting circuits provide slave current signals to complementally charge the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Sporck, Min Xu, Rui Wang
  • Patent number: 11073865
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of the present invention improve the ease of use characteristics of handheld computer, such as a tablet, by providing a handheld apparatus that may be married with the computer to enable the computer to be held in an ergonomic position for use. The apparatus may include a base, an electronic retaining portion (ERP) and a contoured handle having a gripping plane that is substantially parallel to a tablet retention plane of the electronic retaining portion in which the computer is retained with its screen in the tablet retention plane. In various embodiments, the apparatus may include the ERP having a tablet retention plane and a contoured handle cooperating with the ERP, the contoured handle having a shape defining a gripping plane substantially parallel to the tablet retention plane, where the ERP is rotatable relative to the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Inventor: Jonathan Lens-Rosal
  • Patent number: 11075623
    Abstract: In a method for controlling a direct current switch having first and second semiconductor switches capable of being switched off, the first and second semiconductor switches are arranged between first and second terminals to enable conduction of a current with a first polarity through the first semiconductor switch and conduction of the current with a second polarity that is opposite to the first polarity through the second semiconductor switch. One of the first and second semiconductor switches is switched off as a function of a current measurement value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hubert Schierling, Peter Kaluza, Benno Weis
  • Patent number: 11063327
    Abstract: A secondary battery is provided with a power generation element, an electroconductive member, an external short circuit, a current detector and an external discharge safety circuit. The power generation element has a unit cell layer that includes a positive electrode, a separator and a negative electrode stacked in that order. The electroconductive member is disposed on one outward side of the power generation element with an insulation member interposed therebetween. A lead wire connects the electroconductive member with the negative electrode tab. The current detector detects whether or not current is flowing to the lead wire. The external discharge safety circuit is provided to short-circuits a path between the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab outside the power generation element while current detector detects a current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gentaro Kano, Atsushi Horai, Kazuki Arihara, Hajime Satou, Yasuhiko Ohsawa, Ryoichi Senbokuya, Maki Chumon, Eiji Minegishi
  • Patent number: 11056892
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a method and/or apparatus for use with battery cells having an actual voltage-sourcing level that is at or above a specified battery-output level. Switch circuitry is selectively activated for passing current, and a monitoring circuit is responsive to activation of the switching circuitry by distributing energy corresponding to an actual voltage-sourcing level of a particular one of the battery cells to a voltage node. A voltage-measurement circuit provides an indication of the actual voltage-sourcing level across the particular battery cell by ascertaining voltage differentials between the voltage node and respective voltage nodes of the battery cell, the ascertained voltage differentials being less than the specified battery-output level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Guerric Panis
  • Patent number: 11046203
    Abstract: Provided is a capacitor state display device for a vehicle displaying a capacitor state in the vehicle. The vehicle includes a capacitor to which electric power is supplied from an external charging facility, and a power consumption section consuming electric power supplied from the external charging facility or the capacitor. The capacitor state display device includes a display control section acquiring the capacitor state and a display section displaying images based on a command of the display control section. The display control section displays that electric power supplied from the external charging facility is being consumed by the power consumption section if electric power supplied from the external charging facility is being supplied to the power consumption section in a state that electric power is being supplied to the vehicle from the external charging facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazufumi Kuroda, Hiroyuki Kurokawa, Kotaro Higuchi, Masaru Aoki, Eiichi Hoshino, Keisuke Kato
  • Patent number: 11043822
    Abstract: An apparatus for jump starting a vehicle having a battery and an alternator is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: BROWN & WATSON INTERNATIONAL PTY LTD
    Inventor: Andrew L. K. Lau
  • Patent number: 11035206
    Abstract: A downhole on-demand power source system can include at least one first energy storage device located within a wellbore disposed in a subterranean formation in a first inactive state. The system can also include at least one first trigger that initiates the at least one first energy storage device from the first inactive state to a first active state. The at least one first energy storage device, once initiated, can provide a first power to an electrical load disposed in the wellbore proximate to the at least one first energy storage device. The at least one first energy storage device, when in the first inactive state, is incapable of providing the first power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventor: James Daniel Montoya
  • Patent number: 11031626
    Abstract: The present application relates to an electrolytic solution and an electrochemical device containing the electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution of the present invention comprises a compound having a —CN functional group, and is capable of significantly improving the floating-charge performance, the increased impedance accompanying the long-term cycle test, and the thermal impact performance of an electrochemical device using the electrolytic solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: NINGDE AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Wenqiang Li, Shuirong Zhang, Chao Tang
  • Patent number: 11002240
    Abstract: Disclosed is a capacitive car jump starter. The capacitive car jump starter includes a storage capacitor configured to store electrical energy to start an engine of a motorcar, a standby power supply device configured to input electrical energy to the storage capacitor, a test and indication device configured to test and indicate a power storage condition of the storage capacitor, and a control and protection device configured to control and protect an operation of a connection circuit from overload when the storage capacitor discharges to start the engine of the motorcar. The standby power supply device and the control and protection device are electrically connected to the storage capacitor, and the test and indication device is electrically connected to the control and protection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Inventor: Yuhua Wang
  • Patent number: 10998747
    Abstract: Portable charging is integrated with multi-function electronic device capabilities into a single portable hub package. The hub combines several desirable consumer electronics functions together while at the same time providing a portable reliable power source that can power or charge any device while reducing the carrying weight and complexity of consumer electronics needs. Embodiments include a bi-directional battery, a variety of electrical connection interfaces, and a CPU to coordinate power charging and power distribution to connected devices. Some embodiments may further include other convenient functions including for example, wireless charging, image projection, and software application run-time for applications including media streaming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Inventor: Ramy Mohamed Tawfik Shalaby
  • Patent number: 10991995
    Abstract: A method for operating a battery of an at least partially electrically operated/driven functional device, a corresponding battery, and a corresponding functional device. A control unit of the battery receives measurement signals relating to a respective parameter of the battery cells from a plurality of switchable battery cells of the battery. The control unit prepares a location-resolved distribution function of the respective cell parameter within the battery on the basis of the measurement signals. By activating the switching elements of the switchable battery cells according to a predetermined switching rule, the control unit produces a pattern of battery cells switched to active and passive. A predetermined location-resolved distribution function of the respective cell parameter is fulfilled and at least one predetermined secondary condition relating to an operation of the functional device and/or the battery is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Michael Hinterberger, Berthold Hellenthal, Tamas Gyulai
  • Patent number: 10983172
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods that allow for automatic detection of the highest available cell voltage and/or location of the top voltage in a battery stack, in real-time, without having to use separate, dedicated PCBs for different battery stack configurations, and without having to manually configure PCBs based on the number of cells each battery stack has. In certain embodiments, automatic detection is accomplished by a software-configurable battery management circuit that supports any battery pack size without the need to perform hardware modifications or the added cost of customizing boards for battery stacks that have different numbers of cells. In addition, a novel diode-OR analog multiplexer circuit allows the chip to be powered prior to the selection of the top cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Antoine D. Fifield, Daniel James Miller, Brian A. Miller
  • Patent number: 10974616
    Abstract: A high-voltage electrical system includes a high-voltage electrical bus, a low-voltage controller performing battery management system (BMS) functions, and a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) connected to the HV electrical bus. The RESS has contactors connected to the voltage rails, a battery pack, a current sensor outputting a voltage signal indicative of pack current, cell monitoring units (CMUs) connected to designated battery cells that measure corresponding cell voltages, and voltage isolation hardware between the CMUs and the LV controller. The voltage isolation hardware includes the contactors and may include a transformer. The RESS and LV controller are connected via LV serial connections such that the LV controller performs the designated BMS functions, including monitoring the pack current and controlling an open/closed state of the contactors. A powertrain system includes the electrical system, an electric machine, and a coupled load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Fang Wang, Jeffrey Johnson, Theodore T. Kim, Tao Wang, Janpreet S. Basi
  • Patent number: 10978887
    Abstract: A fast charging battery system and method for charging battery systems can be applied to most battery types in use for electric vehicles (EVs), electronic devices, and wireless electrical machines. The system could employ industry proven battery charger systems and off-the-shelf electrical components (e.g., contactors, relay switches, semiconductor parts, DC-DC converters, and the like) to keep cost and complexity low. The system provides for two or more charging ports in the electronic device, such as an EV, that may be able to receive and recognize a charging type, such as charging voltage, current and the like, and provide directed charging to multiple battery sub-packs that make up the entire battery. By charging sub-packs in parallel, the charge time can be substantially reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Inventors: James Nguyen, Jack Nguyen
  • Patent number: 10965211
    Abstract: A technology for suppressing a performance degradation of a solar battery caused by PID is provided. A conversion device includes a DC/DC converter and a control part. A solar battery is connected to an input end of the DC/DC converter. When direct-current power generated by the solar battery is converted and output, the DC/DC converter makes a potential of a negative electrode of the solar battery to be higher than a potential in a negative electrode of the output when the power input from the solar battery exceeds a prescribed value. The control part changes a voltage of the power output from the solar battery to detect a peak value of the power, and stops the operation of the DC/DC converter when the peak value is smaller than the prescribed value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Hirokazu Ehara, Kazumi Tsuchimichi, Kenji Kobayashi, Yasuhiro Tsubota
  • Patent number: 10950840
    Abstract: A module of elementary electrical energy storage cells includes a first set of elementary cells that are interconnected so as to supply a first voltage in a first voltage range and a second set of elementary cells that are interconnected so as to supply a second voltage in a second voltage range. At least one elementary cell from the second set is arranged between two elementary cells from the first set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Caroline Marchal, Philippe Recouvreur, Fabrice Bidault
  • Patent number: 10923775
    Abstract: Systems and methods for temperature control for an energy source of a material handling vehicle. The system includes a battery management system in communication with the energy source that can also be in communication with a charger. The system further includes a counterweight case that supports the energy source, and a plurality of resistive heating elements positioned along one or more surfaces of the counterweight case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: John Bryant Kirk, Mike Welch, Tanvir Reza Tanim
  • Patent number: 10910870
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a controller changes, when a charging state transitions from a first state of charging a first battery by using a power from an external power supply to a second state of charging the first battery by using a power from the second battery and if rated power of the external power supply and the rated discharge power of the second battery are different from each other, an upper limit of an input current to a charging circuit to a value corresponding to the rated discharge power of the second battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Toshiba Client Solutions Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yutaka Horie
  • Patent number: 10901474
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system includes a first device and a second device. The first device serves as an electric power supplying side. The second device serves as an electric power receiving side. The first device includes a transmitter that transmits status information to the second device. The status information indicates a state of an electric power source of the first device. The second device includes a receiver and a controller. The receiver receives the status information from the first device. The controller controls charging of a battery included in the second device using an electric power supplied from the first device, based on the state of the electric power source of the first device indicated by the status information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Toshiba Client Solutions CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Katsuhiro Uchida
  • Patent number: 10904833
    Abstract: An electronic system electronic device includes: an internal battery, an external battery, a memory and a plurality of function modules. The internal battery is configured to generate a first power signal. The external battery is detachably attached to the electronic device, the external battery configured to generate a second power signal. The memory is configured to operate based on the first power signal. The plurality of function modules are configured to operate based on the second power signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-taek Hong, Kwan-yong Jin, Byoung-sul Kim, Sang-hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 10903661
    Abstract: Rechargeable battery systems and rechargeable battery system operational methods are described. According to one aspect, a rechargeable battery system includes a plurality of rechargeable battery cells coupled between a plurality of terminals and charge shuttling circuitry configured to couple with and shuttle electrical energy between individual ones of the rechargeable battery cells, and wherein the charge shuttling circuitry is configured to receive the electrical energy from one of the rechargeable battery cells at a first voltage and to provide the electrical energy to another of the rechargeable battery cells at a second voltage greater than the first voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Lithium Werks Technology BV
    Inventor: Peter Nysen
  • Patent number: 10886757
    Abstract: A battery pack system, a control method thereof and a management device are provided. A battery pack is connected in series with a discharge circuit unit and a charge circuit unit; a battery management unit is to monitor a temperature of the battery pack, to periodically send, when the temperature of the battery pack is lower than a threshold, a turn-on-instruction to the discharge circuit unit and the charge circuit unit alternately to control the discharge circuit unit and the charge circuit unit to be alternately turned on in heating cycles; the discharge circuit unit is to be turned on according to the turn-on-instruction to enable electricity of the battery pack to flow into the energy storage unit in discharging-phase; and the charge circuit unit is to be turned on according to the turn-on-instruction to enable electricity of the energy storage unit to flow into the battery pack in charging-phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited
    Inventors: Xiyang Zuo, Zhimin Dan, Wei Zhang, Yizhen Hou, Teng Yu, Wenbin Lu, Xingyuan Wu, Taosheng Zhu
  • Patent number: 10879714
    Abstract: Various embodiments are described that relate to a battery. A battery, such as a battery with a common input/output terminal, can be tested. Part of this testing can include charging the battery and discharging the battery. It can be dangerous to switch out an interface between charging and discharging. Therefore, a single interface can be employed that enables the battery to be charged and discarded. With this, the battery can be charged and discharged without the danger of switching the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: The Government of the Unite States, as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Ivan Couvillon, Matthew Limpert
  • Patent number: 10873199
    Abstract: An electrically powered vehicle system including a battery, the terminals of which supply positive and negative power rails, and including a bulk capacitor located in series with a switching device, and being electrically connected between the power rails. A heater having a heating resistance is connected in series with a heater switch, and is electrically connected between the power rails. A link is electrically connected between a point between the bulk capacitor and the switching device to a point between heating resistance and the heater switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: DELPHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS LUXEMBOURG S.A.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Engel, Scott Gerber, Alexandre M. Reis