One Cell Or Battery Charges Another Patents (Class 320/103)
  • Patent number: 9899850
    Abstract: Described herein is a system which provides a portable and rechargeable device to charge portable devices. The system includes an entertainment hub or similar structure in a vehicle and a portable and rechargeable device which connects with the entertainment hub to charge batteries in the portable and rechargeable device. The entertainment hub is connected to the vehicle power system and has a connection port for holding and powering the portable and rechargeable device. The connection port and the portable and rechargeable device have mated connectors. An ejection button disengages the portable and rechargeable device from the entertainment hub. The portable and rechargeable device has a connector for connecting to and charging a portable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: FLEXTRONICS AP, LLC
    Inventor: George Michael Wooley
  • Patent number: 9882400
    Abstract: A power cabinet management method, a power cabinet management apparatus and a battery management system are provided. The power cabinet management method includes: detecting a running state of each battery power cabinet in a battery power cabinet array in real time, allowing a detected faulty battery power cabinet to exit from the battery power cabinet array, and excluding the faulty battery power cabinet from parameter calculation of the battery power cabinet array. When a certain battery power cabinet in a battery power cabinet array of a battery energy storage system fails, the faulty battery power cabinet can automatically exit without affecting the normal operation of the entire battery energy storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited
    Inventors: Jinzhen Dai, Jingyao Mei, Jianguo Hu
  • Patent number: 9859728
    Abstract: A wireless power delivery system includes a wireless charging pad, a first security tie, and a device securing component. The wireless charging pad includes a first antenna to provide wireless power to a first information handling system. The first security tie having a first end connected to the wireless charging pad, and a second end to connect with a mounting plate, the first security tie to securely connect the wireless charging pad to mounting plate. The device securing component is in physical communication with the wireless charging pad. The device securing component includes a second security tie having a first end connected within the device securing component, and a second end to connect to the first information handling system. The second security tie to securely connect the first information handling system to the wireless charging pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: DELL PRODUCTS, LP
    Inventors: Andrew T. Sultenfuss, Christophe Daguet
  • Patent number: 9859591
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating intrinsically safe battery cells after charging of an intrinsically safe battery cell at a low temperature. In accordance with the invention, provision is made here for the determination of the discharge curve of the battery cell to then be performed, for the discharge curve of the battery cell to be analyzed in respect of the presence of plating criteria and for a change to operation in a monitoring mode to be made if at least one plating criterion is present, wherein the capacity of the intrinsically safe battery cell is monitored in the monitoring mode. The invention furthermore relates to an intrinsically safe battery cell which is designed for implementing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Sarmimala Hore, Hans Partes
  • Patent number: 9849793
    Abstract: An electrical storage system includes a main battery, an auxiliary battery, a bidirectional DC-DC converter and a controller. The bidirectional DC-DC converter is provided between the auxiliary battery and a power supply path from the main battery to a driving motor. The bidirectional DC-DC converter steps down an output voltage from the power supply path to the auxiliary battery, and steps up an output voltage from the auxiliary battery to the power supply path. The controller controls charging and discharging of the auxiliary battery. The controller, when an allowable output power of the main battery decreases and an electric power becomes insufficient for a required vehicle output, supplies an electric power to the power supply path by discharging the auxiliary battery by using the bidirectional DC-DC converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroki Tashiro, Hiromasa Tanaka, Yuji Nishi, Yukinari Tanabe, Hiroyuki Kaiya
  • Patent number: 9847655
    Abstract: A system comprises an electric battery having at least four elementary cells in series and at least two balancing modules each having first and second nodes connected by at least three cells of the battery, and a third node connected to an intermediate point of the series-association of the at least three cells, in which at least one of the first and second nodes of each module is not common to a first or second node of another module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Enerstone
    Inventors: Alain Bailly, Alexandre Chureau
  • Patent number: 9837919
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an electric power conversion apparatus, which may include a transformer, a first converter connected to a primary side of the transformer, a second converter connected to a secondary side of the transformer, a first capacitor connected to the first converter, a second capacitor connected to the second converter, and a control unit for controlling the first converter and the second converter, wherein the control unit may determine operation ranges with respect to a plurality of modulation methods, may determine a modulation method including an output electric power value of the electric power conversion apparatus among the operation ranges of the plurality of modulation methods, and may output control signals of the first converter and the second converter based on the determined modulation method, wherein the control signals correspond to an instruction value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Anno Yoo, Young-Hoon Cho, Byeng-Joo Byen
  • Patent number: 9832294
    Abstract: A phone case with a secondary housing retainer attached to the underside of the phone case. The secondary housing retainer can receive a rectilinear secondary housing that can act as a cigarette holder, wallet, cosmetic holder or battery charging unit. The secondary housing includes a hinged lid that can be opened even when the secondary housing is within the housing retainer. A third housing built into the underside of the cell phone retaining case has a hinged lid allowing the outermost panel to open or close. The third housing has a triangular cross section. In a second embodiment the secondary housing is a removable cosmetic tray that is covered by a hinged cover plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Inventors: Tyler W. Newman, Mitchell Alan Newman
  • Patent number: 9831690
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for balancing the electrical voltages of at least two electrical accumulator units that are connected in series. According to the invention, one accumulator unit is connected to the winding of a coil in order to excite the coil, and the other accumulator unit is charged by the excited coil by the subsequent connection of the winding to the other accumulator unit. In addition, the invention provides a corresponding electrical accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Butzmann
  • Patent number: 9831693
    Abstract: Techniques for serial interface charging are described. An apparatus may comprise, for example, a serial interface such as a thunderbolt interface and a charger control circuit coupled to the serial interface, the charger control circuit arranged to operate in a charging mode or an on-the-go (OTG) mode based on information received from the serial interface. Another apparatus may comprise, for example, a serial interface such as a thunderbolt interface and a charger circuit coupled to the serial interface, the charger circuit arranged to operate in a first charging mode or a second charging mode based on information received from the serial interface, the information comprising characteristics of a device coupled to the serial interface. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Siang Yeong Tan, Wee Hoe
  • Patent number: 9812892
    Abstract: A portable power charger unit is provided for charging one or more electronic devices. The portable charger unit includes a charger housing storing a rechargeable battery, and wireless power transmission components, such as a transmitter and a receiver for recharging the charger as well as electronic devices via wireless power transmission methods. The portable charger unit also includes at least one power connection for connecting the charger with an external power source, or at least one electronic device, or both, for direct charge connectivity. The power connection can be a power connection port or a power connector cable, attached to the charger housing, each of them capable of acting as a power input, a power output, or both. A processing unit controls operation of the portable charger unit for wireless and direct charging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: HALO INTERNATIONAL SEZC LTD.
    Inventors: Garold C. Miller, Nathan Daniel Weinstein
  • Patent number: 9796277
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a product comprising: an extended range battery system for an electric bicycle comprising a first battery system and a second battery system, and wherein direct current biasing is utilized between the first battery system and the second battery system to extend the range of the extended range battery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Steven L. Hayslett, Constantin C. Stancu, Jorge G. Cintron-Rivera
  • Patent number: 9785172
    Abstract: A method and system for implementing DMPP tracking of partially shaded/uniformly illuminated photovoltaic arrays using switched capacitor DC-DC converter is disclosed. Here, a dedicated SC converter is connected across each PV cell or PV module made of series connected PV cells wherein series connected modules make a PV string and parallel connected PV strings make up a PV array. This SC converter injects an equalization current across the PV module or PV cell so that the total current in the parallel combination of the PV module or PV cell and the corresponding SC converter is the same as the PV string current. In another implementation of DMPP tracking using SC converters, a dedicated SC converter is connected across each isolated PV module to perform MPP tracking of the respective PV module. Then all MPP tracking SC converter outputs are diode ORed to the common load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Indian Institue of Technology Bombay
    Inventors: Vivek Agarwal, Pradeep Kuruvilla Peter
  • Patent number: 9787115
    Abstract: A universal serial bus (USB) adaptor supplies a large charging current to charge a device. The USB adaptor includes a voltage conversion circuit, a USB interface, a current detection circuit, a first switch, a second switch, and a third switch. The USB interface includes a power pin, a first data pin, a second data pin, and a ground pin. The current detection circuit detects a charging current of the device, and converts the charging current into a voltage to compare the charging current with a reference voltage to output a comparison signal. The first switch, the second switch, and the third switch control connection relationships between the power pin and the first data pin, the first data pin and the second data pin, and the second data pin and the ground pin according to the comparison signal, respectively. A USB cable is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yi-Chuan Lin, Yu-Hu Yan
  • Patent number: 9774204
    Abstract: An apparatus, method and system are disclosed, relating to a dual-chemistry battery subsystem having different battery chemistries and performance properties, and relating to an algorithm of charging and discharging the battery subsystem. For an EV application, the battery subsystem is a tailored solution that combines two different battery configurations, a first battery configuration and a second battery configuration, to satisfy the unique needs of different driving modes and performance profiles of an EV, such as a typical workday commute versus an occasional extended range trip on the weekend. The present disclosure provides intelligent control and heuristics to maximize useful energy on a wide variety of battery applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Inventors: Nad Karim, Elton J Cairns, Paul H Vroomen
  • Patent number: 9762080
    Abstract: The invention provides electronic apparatus includes an antenna, a switch, a power generator, a battery, and a controller. The antenna receives a wireless signal. The switch transports the wireless signal to a first terminal or a second terminal according to a mode selecting signal. The power generator is coupled to the second terminal for receiving the wireless signal. The power generator generates a charging power according to the wireless signal. The charging power is provided to charge the battery. The controller generates the mode selecting signal by detecting the electronic apparatus is in a non-operation mode or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventors: Chih-Chin Su, Chien-Ting Ho
  • Patent number: 9748793
    Abstract: A power input circuit. A wireless power receiver receives power from a wireless power transmitter. A charging circuit is coupled to the battery. A first switch is controlled by a first control signal. A second switch is controlled by the first control signal. A third switch is coupled between the battery and the voltage input terminal and controlled by a second control signal. A fourth switch is coupled between the voltage input terminal and the charging circuit and controlled by a third control signal. A fifth switch is coupled between the wireless power receiver and the charging circuit and controlled by a fourth control signal. When the wireless power receiver receives power, the third switch and the fifth switch are closed to transmit the received power to the charging circuit for charging the battery, and the computer device is powered by the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: QUANTA COMPUTER INC.
    Inventors: Chi-Jui Huang, Tsung-Ta Chen, Tien-Lung Hsieh, Jyun-Ching Luo
  • Patent number: 9744857
    Abstract: A system and method for charging a vehicle having a first battery, such as a high-voltage traction battery, and a second battery, such as a low-voltage battery, include controlling a DC converter or relay to effectively decouple the second battery from the converter when the vehicle is connected to an external power source to reduce or prevent damage to the second battery from extended or prolonged charging. The second battery may be effectively decoupled from the converter by controlling the relay or converter voltage based on state of charge of the second battery so that substantially zero current flows to and from the second battery relative to the converter and any vehicle low voltage consumers/accessories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Eifert, Peter Schmitz
  • Patent number: 9748785
    Abstract: A storage status adjusting circuit includes a first switching unit configured to switch between energy accumulation in a first coil and energy release from the first coil to any one of electric storage devices in a first assembled electric storage device having a plurality of the electric storage devices, a second switching unit configured to switch between energy accumulation in a second coil and energy release from the second coil to any one of the electric storage devices in a second assembled electric storage device having a plurality of the electric storage devices, and a changing unit configured to change a potential difference between both ends of the first coil and a potential difference between both ends of the second coil based on storage statuses of the first assembled electric storage device and the second assembled electric storage device, when energy is accumulated in the first coil and the second coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Masami Takai
  • Patent number: 9742205
    Abstract: A storage status adjusting circuit includes: n (n is natural number greater than 2) switching units configured to switch between energy accumulation in respective n coils and energy release from the respective n coils to any one of component electric storage devices, which are respectively included in n assembled electric storage devices respectively including a plurality of the component electric storage devices; and n changing units configured to respectively change potential differences between both ends of the n coils; wherein the changing units change, based on the storage statuses of the n assembled electric storage devices, at least any one of the potential differences between both ends of the n coils, when accumulating energy in the n coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Masami Takai
  • Patent number: 9729003
    Abstract: Disclosed is a wireless charging device and a method facilitating wireless charging of one or more portable electronic devices. The wireless charging device may include a battery assembly comprising a receiving unit electrically coupled with the transmitting unit. A first set of charging coils within the receiving unit may wirelessly receive, via an electromagnetic induction, electrical energy from a second set of charging coils within an external power source. A third set of charging coils within the transmitting unit may wirelessly transmit, via an electromagnetic induction, the electrical energy received by the receiving unit to one or more portable electronic devices positioned within a predetermined transmission distance from the transmitting unit. A fourth set of charging coils within the one or more portable electronic devices may receive the electrical energy from the transmitting unit thereby facilitating charging of one or more batteries of the one or more portable electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: C-CORP INTERNATIONAL CO., LIMITED
    Inventor: Matthew Kwok Leung Chow
  • Patent number: 9723564
    Abstract: Systems and methods for power management of a mobile electronic device. During operation of a modular mobile electronic device, module power characteristic data of a plurality of modules coupled to the electronic device is collected. Each module is coupled to the electronic device via a respective module interface of the electronic device. A module power model is updated for at least one module of the plurality of modules based on module power characteristic data collected for the at least one module. A context-aware power budget of the electronic device is updated based on updating of the module power model for the at least one module. Module power flow of the electronic device is adapted based on updates to the context-aware power budget. Adapting module power flow includes adapting allocation of power in real-time to at least one power consumer module coupled the electronic device via a respective module interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: David Fishman, Seth Newburg, Ara Knaian, Paul Eremenko
  • Patent number: 9722445
    Abstract: A hybrid energy storage system (HESS) and method of controlling a HESS is provided. The HESS comprises a common direct current (DC) bus having a DC bus voltage, an energy storage device electrically coupled to the common DC bus, a power device electrically coupled to the common DC bus, and a controller in operable communication with the energy storage device, the power device and the common DC bus. The controller is configured to, when the energy storage device is charging, increase a power device charging current if an energy storage device charging current is greater than a charging limit for the energy storage device, and when the energy storage device is discharging, increase a power device discharging current if an energy storage device discharging current is greater than a discharging limit for the energy storage device. The HESS can be part of a power system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dachuan Yu, Gregory J. Speckhart, Eric Matthew Andris
  • Patent number: 9692253
    Abstract: Provided is a method for controlling charging in a mobile terminal. The method includes, applying a voltage to a charger upon detecting a connection to the charger via a cable; transmitting a signal for requesting charging to the charger, and switching a charging mode; and charging a power that is received from the charger according to the switched charging mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Hoon Jeong, Chul-Kwi Kim
  • Patent number: 9676276
    Abstract: An electric vehicle that is serving as a mobile power supply device is provided with: a power-supplying coil that is covered by a weatherproof cover and that, together with an external power-receiving coil, forms an electromagnetic coupling circuit; and a power supplying circuit that supplies power stored in a storage cell wirelessly to the outside via the electromagnetic coupling circuit that is formed by the power-supplying coil and the external power-receiving coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: IHI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Motonao Niizuma
  • Patent number: 9667092
    Abstract: A power charging kit is provided for charging one or more electronic devices. The power charging kit includes a portable charger unit that includes wireless power transmission components, such as a transmitter and a receiver for recharging the portable charger unit as well as electronic devices via wireless power transmission methods. The portable charger unit also includes at least one power connection for connecting the portable charger unit with an external power source, or at least one electronic device, or both, for direct charge connectivity. Said at least one power connection can be a power connection port or a power connector cable, attached to a charger housing, each capable of acting as a power input, a power output, or both. The power charging kit also includes a wireless charging mat that also has wireless and direct charging functionality. A processing unit controls operation of the portable charger unit for wireless and direct charging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: HALO INTERNATIONAL SEZC LTD.
    Inventors: Garold C. Miller, Nathan Daniel Weinstein
  • Patent number: 9662988
    Abstract: A method to adjust power management of off-board devices being powered by a vehicle is provided. The method includes entering a plurality of user selected charging levels for each of the off-board devices, each user selected charging level corresponding to one of a plurality of threshold levels of a state of charge (SOC) level; determining a current SOC of a battery pack of the vehicle; adjusting charging levels of individual off-board devices from first user selected charging levels to second user selected charging levels when the current SOC of the battery pack changes from a first threshold value to a second threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Enomoto
  • Patent number: 9656557
    Abstract: A battery charging apparatus and method of an electric vehicle are provided. The battery charging apparatus includes a temperature sensor that is configured to sense a temperature of a battery. In addition, a controller is configured to discharge the battery and then charge the battery using any one of a low voltage converter and a motor based on the temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hyun Soo Park
  • Patent number: 9620825
    Abstract: A system in a battery in which a plurality of elementary cells are connected between two first nodes. The system includes: a first device configured to apply an alternating signal to the first nodes; at least one second device connected to the second nodes of the cells; and at least one resonant element, an inductive element of which includes an inductance itself of the battery between the two nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventor: Sylvain Bacquet
  • Patent number: 9620988
    Abstract: An object is to provide a power storage device provided with a battery that is a power storage means, for safe and accurate supply of electric power in a short period of time for drive power supply voltage without checking remaining capacity of the battery or changing batteries with deterioration over time of the battery for drive power supply voltage. The power storage device is provided with a battery that is a power storage means as a power supply for supplying electric power and a counter circuit for counting charging time of the power storage means. An electromagnetic wave with electric field intensity, magnetic field intensity, and power flux density per unit time which are transmitted from a power feeder are controlled, and the power storage means is efficiently charged using the electromagnetic wave in a short period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Osada
  • Patent number: 9620975
    Abstract: A battery characteristic converter comprises an interface to a battery and to an electronic device to be powered with energy supplied by the battery. The interface to the battery and the interface to the electronic device are connected using a bidirectional voltage ratio converter. The bidirectional voltage ratio converter is controlled so that the characteristics at the interface to the electronic device are adapted to the electronic device, independently of the battery characteristics. Energy may flow to the electronic device to power the electronic device or from the electronic device to the battery to charge the battery, depending on a comparison of the characteristics at the interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Matti Juhani Naskali, Heikki Sakari Paananen
  • Patent number: 9614194
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a battery includes an electrode group, at least one positive electrode current collector tab, at least one negative electrode current collector tab, and a case. The case includes a case portion and an edge portion. The edge portion includes a heat sealed part configured to seal the case portion and a non-sealed part. The electrode group is housed in the case portion while an end portion of at least one of the positive electrode current collector tab and the negative electrode current collector tab is provided in the non-sealed part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Masahiro Murata, Kengo Kurata, Akira Yajima, Hiroshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9588728
    Abstract: A mobile display system includes a first mobile display device and a second mobile display device. The first mobile display device includes a first power storage module, a first screen, and a wireless power transmitter. The first screen is configured to display a first image by using the power stored in the first power storage module. The second mobile display device includes a second power storage module, a second screen, and a wireless power receiver. The second screen is configured to display a second image by using the power stored in the second power storage module. During a period when the first power storage module is charged, the wireless power transmitter provides a first wireless power signal to the wireless power receiver, so as to charge the second power storage module by the first wireless power signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: E Ink Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Chin-Wen Lin, Chien-Chung Huang, Wei-Juin Chen
  • Patent number: 9577450
    Abstract: A charger for a hand-held power tool includes a power source interface, a charger base and a charging cradle rotatably supported on the charger base. The rotatable charging cradle includes at least two charging output terminals electrically connected to the power source interface. A power tool system includes the charger and the hand-held power tool. A method of charging the power tool system includes contacting charging input terminals of the power tool with the charging output terminals, rotating the charging cradle and the power tool relative to the charging base and supplying charging current to at least one battery cell while the charging cradle and the power tool are allowed to freely swing relative to the charging base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shuji Yoshikawa, Tatsuya Nagahama, Nobuyasu Furui, Hitoshi Suzuki, Masaaki Fukumoto, Takuya Umemura, Kosuke Ito
  • Patent number: 9568900
    Abstract: A method includes: determining a total power load from an electrical power consumption entity configured to receive all or a portion of the total power load from each of (i) an alternative energy source (“AES”), (ii) a power grid, and (iii) a rechargeable energy storage device. The AES and the power grid are connected using a reverse power relay. The method also includes: for a first time period, determining a first power supply from the AES. The first power supply is affected by natural events that are uncontrolled by a user. The method also includes in accordance with a determination that, during the first time period, the power supply from the AES exceeds the power load: storing an excess portion of the power supply in the energy storage device, without releasing electrical power from the AES to the power grid. The excess portion is less than the energy storage device's maximum capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: OPTERRA ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: David Potter, Eduardo Alberto Alegria, Aaron Mineai
  • Patent number: 9550434
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy management system including a motor, an inverter electrically connected to the motor, a DC-DC converter electrically connected to the inverter, a first energy storage unit electrically connected to a DC link of the inverter through the DC-DC converter, a second energy storage unit coupled to the inverter, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to control the distribution of electrical power from the first energy storage unit and the second energy storage unit to the inverter in dependence upon a predetermined power threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Dean King, Funian Xiao
  • Patent number: 9553403
    Abstract: There is provided an adapter for adapting an electronic device to a modular electronic device system. The adapter generally has a housing having two lateral edges, a cavity between the lateral edges and being adapted to receive the electronic device, each of the two lateral edges of the housing having at least one magnetic coupler electrically connectable with at least one magnetic coupler of the modular electronic device system by magnetically engaging the at least one magnetic coupler of the adapter with the at least one magnetic coupler of the modular electronic device system, and an internal electric conductor network electrically connected to the magnetic couplers of the adapter and electrically connected to an internal connector which is electrically connectable to the electronic device when received in the cavity of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: NANOPORT TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: Timothy Jing Yin Szeto
  • Patent number: 9548622
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for wirelessly charging a mobile computing device and utilizing the mobile computing device as a power source. The apparatus includes: a first data and power interface; a second data and power interface; a wireless charging unit; and a control unit. The operation of the wireless charging unit and the control unit is configured to provide a first mode of operation of the apparatus when an external source connected to the apparatus via the second data and power interface is a load device in which power is delivered from the mobile computing device to the load device via the first and second data and power interfaces, and a second mode of operation of the apparatus in which power is delivered from a power receiver of the wireless charging unit to the mobile computing device via the first data and power interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald Vick, Thomas Oberhauser
  • Patent number: 9535480
    Abstract: A method of controlling power in a hybrid energy storage system that may include controlling power through the at least one battery storage element and the capacitor storage element using a multi-level power management system. In some embodiments, the multi-level power management system includes at least a long term battery management layer and a real time power management layer. The long term battery management layer can be for estimating and managing a life cycle for the battery. The real time power management layer can be for managing power sharing between the at least one battery storage element and the at least one capacitor storage element at each time instant dependent upon adjustments to battery performance based upon the long term battery management layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Yanzhu Ye, Ratnesh Sharma
  • Patent number: 9531312
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a feeding system supplying an electric power to an external device disposed outside the vehicle, a controller controlling the operation of the feeding system, and an information output unit outputting predetermined information. The controller performs the processing of determining whether or not feeding can be performed from the feeding system to the external device. When the feeding from the feeding system to the external device is prohibited, the controller causes the information output unit to output prohibition information about the prohibition of the feeding including the contents of a determination processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahiko Hirasawa, Masashi Yoshimi
  • Patent number: 9487095
    Abstract: Provided is a charging and discharging device that does not need to use a high voltage capacitor even if a shielding switch is provided in an assembled battery for the sake of convenience of maintenance, and the like. The charging and discharging device includes: capacitors for connecting control terminals of adjacent circuit blocks, the shielding switch interposed between the adjacent battery modules, and a transformer interposed between the control terminals corresponding to the adjacent battery modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yasumichi Ohnuki
  • Patent number: 9466996
    Abstract: A portable power charger having an internal rechargeable battery includes a charger housing having at least one power connection port and a flashlight feature having at least one light source. The power connection port is operatively connected to the rechargeable battery and used for connecting the charger with an external power source, an electronic device, or both. The flashlight feature is also operatively connected to the internal battery. The charger housing takes the form of a fashion accessory that can be worn by the user, making the power charger readily available and accessible when needed to charge an electronic device when a standard power source is not available. The charger housing can be opened or folded to expose the power connection port for use, and closed or unfolded to hide the power connection port so as not to detract from the charger's use as a fashion accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Halo2Cloud, LLC
    Inventors: Garold C. Miller, Nathan Daniel Weinstein
  • Patent number: 9461497
    Abstract: A charge device coupled to an external device is provided. A connection port is configured to couple to the external device and includes a first pin and a second pin. A battery unit has a battery voltage. A conversion unit converts the battery voltage to provide power to the external device. When the battery voltage is higher than a threshold value, a detection control unit directs the first and second pins to couple to a first charge unit and the connection port outputs a first charge current to the external device. When the battery voltage is not higher than the threshold value, the detection control unit directs the first and second pins to couple to a second charge unit and the connection port outputs a second charge current to the external device. The first charge current is greater than the second charge current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Leading Tech-Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Hao Tu, Ning Sung Chou
  • Patent number: 9454196
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a system may include at least one voltage controller. At least one of the voltage controllers may assess, during use, an occurrence of a predetermined condition. In some embodiments, the system may include an at least first capacitor. The at least first capacitor may be coupled to at least one of the voltage controllers such that at least one of the voltage controllers engages the at least first capacitor to supply additional current when the predetermined condition occurs. When the increase in current is no longer required the at least first capacitor may be disengaged. The at least first capacitor may be charged when disengaged until a predetermined capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Matthias Knoth, Rohit Kumar, Eric Smith, Louis Luh
  • Patent number: 9421380
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically adjusting the value of a parameter defined to manage and control the resources recruited by an implantable medical device to supply power or the device to deliver an instance of an electrical stimulation therapy to a patient. In embodiments, the parameter corresponds to a number of capacitors the discharge of which supplies the power to deliver a stimulation therapy at a programmed amplitude. Whenever the circumstances prevent the programmed amplitude from being delivered, the system and method automatically adjust the resource-controlling parameter to use the minimum power to achieve the desired (programmed) amplitude or as close as possible to that programmed amplitude. Some embodiments additionally include using another parameter (a equivalent amplitude parameter) to balance the charge delivered through multiple pathways in parallel sourced from a single reservoir of power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett D Wingeier, Suresh Gurunathan, Craig Baysinger
  • Patent number: 9426526
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a chipset unit which processes data; a connector which includes a plurality of terminals, and is configured to connect with a cable so that the chipset unit can transmit and receive a signal to and from an external device; a switching unit which supplies power to the external device through a first terminal of the connector, and selectively controls a switching operation regarding whether or not to supply power to the first terminal on the basis of a signal state of a second terminal of the connector when the cable is connected to the connector. A control method of the image processing apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ji-won Kim
  • Patent number: 9419309
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus in which an electrode insulation inactivating layer on the basis of charge and discharge which is a cause for deterioration of storage capacity of a rechargeable battery is regenerated by thermo-mechanical effects caused by dielectric relaxation loss, individual frequencies of dielectric relaxation loss of rechargeable batteries in general are automatically searched by an increase in high-frequency dependent charging current, the insulation layer is selectively decomposed, termination of charge of the storage battery is additionally known by connecting or disconnecting a frequency of dielectric relaxation loss, and electric current conductance at a frequency of dielectric relaxation loss gives a storage quantity which is a state of charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: JSV CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroto Tateno
  • Patent number: 9413567
    Abstract: System and methods are provided for signal processing. For example, an input signal is received at a finite impulse response filter circuit including a plurality of stages, where each stage of the plurality of stages is associated with a sample value of the input signal and a stage weight. An output signal is generated using the finite impulse response filter circuit, the output signal being equal to a weighted sum of the sample values of the input signal. An error signal is generated to indicate a difference between the output signal and a target. A constraint is applied to one or more of the stage weights. The stage weights are changed within the constraint to reduce a magnitude of the error signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: MARVELL INTERNATIONAL LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Yao Chang, Jun Gao, Gregory Burd
  • Patent number: 9412994
    Abstract: Apparatus for increasing the efficiency of a starter battery for a starter motor of an internal combustion engine in a battery pack arrangement with one or more lithium based cells. The invention includes a solid state switching configuration for high powered battery systems for protecting against over-charging, over-discharging and short circuiting of batteries, especially starter batteries for internal combustion engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Inventor: Martin Koebler
  • Patent number: 9406982
    Abstract: Secondary battery reuse method in which, when used secondary battery packs G and A in a lithium secondary battery have become unusable, the resistances and capacities of a plurality of secondary battery stacks constituting the secondary battery pack G are measured and a reusable secondary battery stack is selected and separated therefrom by comparing these measured resistances and capacities with a resistance threshold value H and a capacity threshold value I, respectively. In addition, a new secondary battery pack is rebuilt (constructed) by combining the secondary battery stack with a secondary battery stack that has been determined to be reusable in the secondary battery pack A in the same manner as in the secondary battery pack G.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Obata