Charging Station For Electrically Powered Vehicle Patents (Class 320/109)
  • Patent number: 11270828
    Abstract: A cover device is provided for an electromagnetic coil. The electromagnetic coil is configured for the inductive transmission of energy between the electromagnetic coil and an electromagnetic counter coil. The cover is designed as a housing for the electromagnetic coil. The cover is designed for fastening the cover to an undercarriage of a vehicle. The cover is provided with a plurality of recesses for magnet guide elements, wherein the recesses are designed such that at least one magnet guide element can be inserted into each recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Josef Krammer
  • Patent number: 11267356
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a charging station for charging electric vehicles. The charging station includes: at least two charging points, which are each connectable to an electric vehicle for charging an electric energy store of the electric vehicle; at least two rectifier branches for providing electrical energy, the rectifier branches being electrically connectable to the charging points and the electrical connection being switchable between at least one of the rectifier branches and the charging points; at least one energy meter for providing meter values which describe the electrical energy provided by the rectifier branches; and at least one meter value acquisition computer configured to determine, for each of the charging points, the amount of the electrical energy provided by the rectifier branches electrically connected to the charging point based on the meter values of the at least one energy meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Sebastian Bode, Jörg Heuer
  • Patent number: 11267352
    Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a utility vehicle body, a set of electrical loads supported by the utility vehicle body, and a power control assembly supported by the utility vehicle body and coupled with the set of electrical loads. The power control assembly includes an electro-mechanical contactor constructed and arranged to carry high current, a low power switching device constructed and arranged to carry low current, and control circuitry coupled to the electro-mechanical contactor and the low power switching device. The control circuitry is constructed and arranged to separately open and close each of the electro-magnetic contactor and the low power switching device to control power delivery from a lithium battery to the set of electrical loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur James Harvey
  • Patent number: 11267361
    Abstract: Provided herein are a system and method for ordered charging management of a charging station. The system includes a charging station control-management device, a charging pile monitoring device and a system platform server. The system platform server is configured to send a power capacity of the charging station to the charging station control-management device corresponding to the charging station. The charging pile monitoring device is configured to collect an operating parameter of a charging pile corresponding to the charging pile monitoring device and to send the operating parameter to the charging station control-management device. The charging station control-management device is configured to determine whether the charging station has a power headroom according to the power capacity and the operating parameter of all charging piles at the charging station after receiving a charging request sent by the charging pile monitoring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Inventors: Chunlin He, Peijun Chen, Zhengxian Zheng, Xingping Yan
  • Patent number: 11271486
    Abstract: A power supply device and a booster circuit for a power supply device. The booster circuit includes an access terminal configured to access a direct current voltage from a battery pack, a transformer group electrically connected to the access terminal so that the accessed direct current voltage is boosted to a predetermined voltage by the transformer group, and a rectifier bridge electrically connected to the transformer group to convert the predetermined voltage into a high-voltage direct current after pulse rectification. The transformer group includes a first transformer including a first primary side and a first secondary side and a second transformer including a second primary side and a second secondary side. The power supply device disclosed is compact in structure and convenient to carry and can output an alternating current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Nanjing Chervon Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong Zhu, Zhijian Lu, Qing Gao
  • Patent number: 11271414
    Abstract: A charging cradle includes: a cradle housing having a base portion, and a socket portion configured to interchangeably receive (i) a mobile device, (ii) a battery pack for the mobile device, and (iii) the mobile device in combination with the battery pack; the socket portion including: a shared base surface having disposed thereon a set of shared charging contacts; a first set of guide surfaces extending from the shared base surface and defining a first socket configured to receive the mobile device and, in the absence of the battery pack, to engage the shared charging contacts with a first set of contacts on the mobile device; and a second set of guide surfaces extending from the shared base surface and defining a second socket configured to receive the battery pack and engage the shared charging contacts with a second set of contacts on the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Thomas Fountain, JaeHo Choi, Edward Anthony Hackett, Edward M. Voli, Carl A. Thelemann
  • Patent number: 11264821
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bidirectional on-board charger (OBC) and a method of controlling the same. The bidirectional on-board charger according to the present invention includes: an input power source which is a power source of a charging control system; a power factor corrector (PFC) which is connected to the input power source; a direct current/direct current (DC/DC), circuit which is connected to the power factor corrector and includes a switching unit and an output terminal; a first switch which is On/Off controlled to connect any one of: a first line for connecting the input power source and the power factor corrector and a second line for connecting the power factor corrector and an output terminal of the DC/DC circuit; and a second switch which is disposed between the switching unit and the output terminal of the DC/DC circuit and On/Off controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Si-Hun Yang, Jong-Pil Kim, Jin-Young Yang, Jin-Myeong Yang, Woo-Young Lee
  • Patent number: 11264844
    Abstract: A position alignment method performed by a ground assembly for wireless power transfer includes measuring, through at least one low frequency (“LF”) receiver of the ground assembly, a first magnetic flux density for a magnetic field emitted from at least one LF transmitter of a vehicle assembly; measuring, through the at least one LF receiver, a second magnetic flux density for a magnetic field emitted from the at least one LF transmitter; configuring a received signal measurement based on a comparison result of the first magnetic flux density and the second magnetic flux density; and providing the configured received signal measurement to a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jae Yong Seong, Min Byeong Lee
  • Patent number: 11260767
    Abstract: A cable retrieving system is disclosed for a charging station adapted for recharging an electric vehicle, the charging station comprising an electric cable and a plug for enabling an electrical connection with the electric vehicle, the system comprising a mechanical wire having a first end secured to the electric cable and a second end; an enclosure comprising an opening suitable for the mechanical wire and a pulling mechanism located in the enclosure, the pulling mechanism comprising a weight member located in the enclosure and mounted on a portion of the mechanical wire to thereby create a pulling force on the mechanical wire to thereby pull the electric cable towards the charging station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: ADDENERGIE TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Daniel Mailloux
  • Patent number: 11260769
    Abstract: An electrified vehicle includes an electric motor configured to output power for traveling, an electric power storage device configured to supply electric power to the electric motor, and a control device configured to set an input limit as a maximum value of a charging current in charging the electric power storage device using electric power from an external power supply. The control device is configured to set a greater value as the input limit when a vehicle use ratio as a proportion of a use index indicating a degree of cumulative use of the vehicle to a prescribed maximum value of the use index is large than when the vehicle use ratio is small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kensuke Kamichi
  • Patent number: 11264798
    Abstract: A charging station for charging a plurality of electric vehicles, in particular electric automobiles, comprising: a supply device, in particular for connection to an electricity supply grid for supplying the charging station with electric power, a plurality of charging terminals for charging in each case at least one electric vehicle, and each charging terminal comprises a supply input for drawing electric power from the supply device, a charging output with one or more charging connections for outputting a respective charging current for charging a respective connected electric vehicle, and at least one DC chopper arranged between the supply input and the charging output in order to generate a respective chopper current from the electric power of the supply device, or as an alternative at least one chopper terminal arranged between the supply input and the charging output in order to provide a chopper current generated outside the charging terminal by a DC chopper, in particular chopper current generated in
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Brombach, Christian Strafiel, Stefan Gertjegerdes
  • Patent number: 11264652
    Abstract: A vehicle battery charger and a vehicle battery charging system are described and illustrated, and can include a controller enabling a user to enter a time of day at which the vehicle battery charger or system begins and/or ends charging of the vehicle battery. The vehicle battery charger can be separate from the vehicle, can be at least partially integrated into the vehicle, can include a transmitter and/or a receiver capable of communication with a controller that is remote from the vehicle and vehicle charger, and can be controlled by a user or another party (e.g., a power utility) to control battery charging based upon a time of day, cost of power, or other factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Inventor: Christopher B. Austin
  • Patent number: 11254232
    Abstract: A control apparatus of a vehicle includes an input and output port configured to input and output signals transmitted and received between the vehicle and a charger and an electronic control unit configured to control the transmission and reception of the signals through the input and output port according to a communication sequence defined in order to charge an electric power storage device. The communication sequence defines that the vehicle proceeds with the communication sequence based on a content represented by the signal received by the vehicle from the charger. The electronic control unit is configured to proceed with the communication sequence regardless of the content represented by a predetermined specific signal when the signal received from the charger is the predetermined specific signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Daiki Takayama
  • Patent number: 11258109
    Abstract: A vehicle battery charger and a vehicle battery charging system are described and illustrated, and can include a controller enabling a user to enter a time of day at which the vehicle battery charger or system begins and/or ends charging of the vehicle battery. The vehicle battery charger can be separate from the vehicle, can be at least partially integrated into the vehicle, can include a transmitter and/or a receiver capable of communication with a controller that is remote from the vehicle and vehicle charger, and can be controlled by a user or another party (e.g., a power utility) to control battery charging based upon a time of day, cost of power, or other factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Inventor: Christopher B. Austin
  • Patent number: 11258108
    Abstract: A vehicle battery charger and a vehicle battery charging system are described and illustrated, and can include a controller enabling a user to enter a time of day at which the vehicle battery charger or system begins and/or ends charging of the vehicle battery. The vehicle battery charger can be separate from the vehicle, can be at least partially integrated into the vehicle, can include a transmitter and/or a receiver capable of communication with a controller that is remote from the vehicle and vehicle charger, and can be controlled by a user or another party (e.g., a power utility) to control battery charging based upon a time of day, cost of power, or other factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Inventor: Christopher B. Austin
  • Patent number: 11258112
    Abstract: A vehicle battery charger and a vehicle battery charging system are described and illustrated, and can include a controller enabling a user to enter a time of day at which the vehicle battery charger or system begins and/or ends charging of the vehicle battery. The vehicle battery charger can be separate from the vehicle, can be at least partially integrated into the vehicle, can include a transmitter and/or a receiver capable of communication with a controller that is remote from the vehicle and vehicle charger, and can be controlled by a user or another party (e.g., a power utility) to control battery charging based upon a time of day, cost of power, or other factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Inventor: Christopher B. Austin
  • Patent number: 11258111
    Abstract: A vehicle battery charger and a vehicle battery charging system are described and illustrated, and can include a controller enabling a user to enter a time of day at which the vehicle battery charger or system begins and/or ends charging of the vehicle battery. The vehicle battery charger can be separate from the vehicle, can be at least partially integrated into the vehicle, can include a transmitter and/or a receiver capable of communication with a controller that is remote from the vehicle and vehicle charger, and can be controlled by a user or another party (e.g., a power utility) to control battery charging based upon a time of day, cost of power, or other factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Inventor: Christopher B. Austin
  • Patent number: 11258259
    Abstract: A power control system includes a storage cell and a power control apparatus. The storage cell is configured to allow allocation of predetermined storage capacities to a plurality of consumer facilities each including a load apparatus. The power control apparatus including a controller configured to control charging and discharging of the storage cell. The controller receives a charging or discharging instruction for the storage cell from the plurality of consumer facilities. The controller accepts a charging or discharging instruction newly received from one of the plurality of consumer facilities when an aggregated charging and discharging amount falls within a storage capacity allocated to the one of the plurality of consumer facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Hidaka
  • Patent number: 11258110
    Abstract: A vehicle battery charger and a vehicle battery charging system are described and illustrated, and can include a controller enabling a user to enter a time of day at which the vehicle battery charger or system begins and/or ends charging of the vehicle battery. The vehicle battery charger can be separate from the vehicle, can be at least partially integrated into the vehicle, can include a transmitter and/or a receiver capable of communication with a controller that is remote from the vehicle and vehicle charger, and can be controlled by a user or another party (e.g., a power utility) to control battery charging based upon a time of day, cost of power, or other factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Inventor: Christopher B. Austin
  • Patent number: 11247575
    Abstract: A charger is permitted to perform external charging of a power storage device in a connector locked state in which a charging connector is locked to a charge inlet by a connector lock device. An ECU releases the connector locked state in conjunction a door unlock operation of releasing a door locked state placed by a door lock mechanism. When the external charging of the power storage device by the charger is cancelled by the connector locked state being released, a different charging stop history, depending on presence or absence of a predetermined user operation after the external charging is cancelled, is stored into a storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichi Kojima, Takashi Yamana
  • Patent number: 11247580
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of predicting failure of an electric car charger that takes an environment around an electric car charger as input using an artificial intelligence technology are proposed. A method of operating an electronic apparatus that predicts failure of an electric car charger may include: acquiring sensor data measured by a sensor; acquiring area information showing an area of the first electric car charger; acquiring weather information at a point in time when the sensor data at the area was measured; creating a failure prediction model based on an artificial neural network; creating learning data; training the failure prediction model on the basis of the learning data; creating input data; acquiring a result about the operation state of the first electric car charger; and predicting possibility of failure of the first electric car charger on the basis of the result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hwanseok Choi, Jongseo Kim
  • Patent number: 11247578
    Abstract: Electric charging stations with docking management and methods of use are disclosed herein. An example system can include a base station providing electrical power, a charging interface configured to couple with a charging port of a vehicle and a cradle of the base station, a controller associated with at least one of the base station, the charging interface, or combinations thereof, the controller configured to execute a docking ruleset to determine when a docking failure occurs between the charging interface and the cradle of the base station and execute a remediating action in response to the docking failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Melatti, Dale F. Jordan, III, Thomas Jorda
  • Patent number: 11245334
    Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed to energy accumulator emulators. In one embodiment, an energy accumulator emulator is disclosed including a DC-to-DC converter having a number of power switches, a control unit that calculates a reference current from electrical variables of the DC-to-DC converter, and a battery model connected to the control unit. The battery model receives and processes the reference current and communicates a referenced voltage to the control unit. The control unit includes a voltage controller that processes the reference voltage and controls a current, on the basis of which the control unit controls the power switches via switching pulses to control an output voltage. The energy accumulator emulator further includes a PPPC unit that is connected to the voltage controller. The PPPC unit provides a number of pulse patterns, selects a pulse pattern, and controls the power switches according to the selected pulse pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: AVL List GmbH
    Inventors: Oliver König, Wolfgang Falmbigl, Stefan Jakubek, Alexander Eder, Günter Prochart
  • Patent number: 11245346
    Abstract: A multi-input charging system and method using a motor driving system can prevent relay fusing or cutting in a motor and damage of a neutral point capacitor provided in a charging power input stage in a process of receiving external charging power through a neutral point of the motor and charging a battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chae Duck Chon, Jung Hwi Kim
  • Patent number: 11235674
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle, is mounted on an automobile that has a motor for traveling and a power storage apparatus for exchanging electric power with the motor. The control apparatus is configured to execute external charging for charging the power storage apparatus by using electric power from an external power supply, and is configured to perform a route guidance for a planned travel route to a destination. When operation information on a charging spot of the destination is not obtainable and it is predicted that the charging spot of the destination is not usable, it is recommended to execute the external charging at a charging spot around the planned travel route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoya Katanoda, Hirotaka Omisha
  • Patent number: 11237221
    Abstract: An accurately positionable computer host power-on detection machine comprises a detection box with an opening on the left side, the detection box is internally connected with a detection discharge block through a lifting device, the right part of the detection discharge block is provided with a positioning interception block, the height of the positioning intercept block is the same as the host and the center of the positioning interception block is provided with a detection port of 0.6-0.8 times the size of the rear side plate of the host, the inner side of the upper plate of the detection box is connected with an upper limit plate through a connecting plate, the detection box is provided with a positioning and clamping device cooperated with the left and right side plates of the host, and the inner side of the right side plate of the detection box is provided with a detection device which enables a detection insert block to move horizontally left and right.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: DONGGUAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Xiaowei Liu, Yongcong Zhang
  • Patent number: 11231733
    Abstract: A system includes a control unit having one or more processors and a communication interface. The communication interface is configured to communicate with one or more charging stations that are electrically coupled to receive electrical power from a power distribution grid and that are configured to selectively charge one or more energy storage devices connected to the charging stations. The one or more processors are configured to generate first control signals for communication by the communication interface to the one or more charging stations to control transfer of reactive and/or active power from the charging stations to the power distribution grid. The control signals are generated based at least in part on a load cycle profile of one or more electric machines electrically coupled to the power distribution grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Santosh Sambamoorthy Veda, Robert Dean King, Irene Michelle Berry, Zhi Zhou, Matthew Christian Nielsen, Lembit Salasoo
  • Patent number: 11233409
    Abstract: An arrangement for controlling a disconnector arranged between power batteries and a consumer side of an electric system of a motor vehicle comprises a maneuver switch to be manually operated and configured to connect a control unit for the control of the disconnector to a conducting line on the battery side of the disconnector. The maneuver switch is configured to in a first position by movable contact members thereof connect each of two fixed output contacts to a different of two fixed input contacts than in a second position. A parameter is sensed on at least one input line from the maneuver switch to the control unit for determining which of the first and second position is assumed by the maneuver switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventors: Börje Nilsson, Gunnar Ledfelt, Thomas Lagerlund, Jean-Baptiste Billot
  • Patent number: 11230201
    Abstract: A system of charging a battery of a vehicle is provided. The system includes a charger having a direct current (DC) capacitor to which a DC voltage converted from an AC charge voltage is applied and a first DC converter that converts a magnitude of a voltage of the DC capacitor. A first battery is connected to the first DC converter and is charged with a DC voltage converted by the first DC converter. A second DC converter is connected to the battery and converts a magnitude of a voltage of the battery. A second battery receives a DC voltage converted by the second DC converter. A controller charges the DC capacitor up to a predetermined initial charge voltage using power stored in the second battery by operating the second DC converter and the first DC converter in a backward direction before the AC charge voltage is provided to the charger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Dae Woo Lee, Min Seong Choi, In Yong Yeo, Tae Jong Ha, Jin Myeong Yang, Woo Young Lee
  • Patent number: 11226239
    Abstract: The application relates to direct current, DC, charging cable including two DC conductors configured for transmitting electrical energy between an electrical vehicle and a charging device, at least a signal line having a first signal line end and a second, opposite signal line end and a control device, the first signal line end is connected at a first connection point to one of the DC conductors, and the control device is configured for measuring a voltage difference between the second signal line end and a second connection point of the one of the DC conductors distant to the first connection point for determining a temperature of the DC charging cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Wiebe Zoon, Rolf Bilderbeek, Stefan Raaijmakers, Gertjan Koolen
  • Patent number: 11220192
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an adjusted SOC limit are provided. In one embodiment, a system may include a recognition module, a position module, a charge state module, and a charging module. The recognition module is configured to identify a vehicle to receive a charge from a charging station. The position module is configured to determine a parked period when the vehicle will be present at the charging station based on a schedule. The charge state module is configured to calculate the adjusted SOC limit based on the parked period. The charge rate defines a charge period that is an amount of time that the charging station will provide charge to the vehicle. The adjusted SOC limit is calculated to reduce a time difference between the parked period and the charge period. The charging module is configured to set the adjusted SOC limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Eri Izumi Maeda
  • Patent number: 11220184
    Abstract: A method for controlling the temperature of a changing cable of a fast charging station for fast charging a battery of a vehicle with an electric drive. The method includes the steps of heating the charging cable in order to form an electrical connection of the charging cable to the vehicle, sensing connection of the charging cable to the vehicle, and ending the heating of the charging cable for fast charging the battery of the vehicle. A fast charging station has a charging cable for fast charging a battery of a vehicle with an electric drive. The fast charging station is designed to carry out the above method for controlling the temperature of a charging cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Inventors: Volker Reber, Stefan Götz, Jari Rönfanz
  • Patent number: 11220187
    Abstract: A receiver may be used with a charging station or other power delivery solution. The receiver can be configured to be maneuvered beneath a plug that is electrically coupled to a battery or other component of a vehicle. The receiver can include an opening into which the plug is inserted. The opening can form contacts for establishing an electrical connection with contacts on the plug. The receiver can include a cover that protects the contacts when the plug is not inserted into the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Mod.al
    Inventors: Preston Ruff, Erick Vega, Kreg Peeler
  • Patent number: 11223292
    Abstract: A united converter apparatus and an operating method thereof are disclosed. The united converter apparatus includes a high-voltage charger charging a high-voltage battery, using a commercial power and a low-voltage charger charging a low-voltage battery, using the high-voltage battery. The high-voltage charger includes a voltage level adjustment device boosts a voltage of the commercial power to apply the boosted voltage to the high-voltage battery and drops a high voltage applied from the high-voltage battery to apply the dropped voltage to the low-voltage charger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jin Young Yang, Jong Pil Kim, Woo Young Lee, Ji Han Lee, Youn Sik Lee, Si Hun Yang, Jin Myeong Yang
  • Patent number: 11220188
    Abstract: A motor vehicle charging cable for DC voltage charging of an electrical energy store of a motor vehicle has a cable sheath that encloses conductors, such as first and second cooling-fluid-cooled electrical conductor for first and second DC voltage phases, a ground conductor or equipotential bonding conductor and/or at least one control conductor. Shaped elements are arranged between the cable sheath and the conductors at positions of the motor vehicle charging cable that are fixed in mounts. The shaped elements guide, clamp and restrict a relative movement between the conductors. The cable sheath restricts a relative movement between the conductors between those positions at which the motor vehicle charging cable is fixed in mounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Inventors: Raoul Heyne, Jari Roenfanz, David Koehler
  • Patent number: 11214167
    Abstract: An energy supply device for a motor vehicle has a high-voltage energy storage device and a control device for controlling the charging and discharging operations of the high-voltage energy storage device. The control device is designed to determine a temperature of the high-voltage energy storage device and to adjust a predetermined working range of the high-voltage energy storage device, which is defined by an upper limit and a lower limit, as a function of the determined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Arnaud Krejci
  • Patent number: 11214158
    Abstract: A method of controlling charge of a vehicle battery includes: determining, by a control unit, whether a high voltage battery and a low voltage battery are charged in a first charging mode, a second charging mode, or a third charging mode; and charging at least one of the high voltage battery or the low voltage battery by controlling a first full-bridge circuit unit, a second full-bridge circuit unit, and a low voltage direct current (DC) converter unit based on the determined first, second or third charging mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dae Woo Lee, Jae Eun Cha, Byung Gu Kang, Tae Jong Ha
  • Patent number: 11214165
    Abstract: An ECU executes a charge preparation communication sequence after a connector is connected to an inlet and before external charging is performed, and counts a response time (message transmission and reception time) of a charging station to a prescribed event. A memory stores a message transmission and reception time of a specific charging station. The ECU does not perform external charging when the message transmission and reception time counted during the charge preparation communication sequence is equal to the message transmission and reception time stored in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomoya Ono
  • Patent number: 11214462
    Abstract: A cable retractor includes a housing. A spool is disposed within the housing and is mechanically coupled to the housing and rotatable about an axis. A spring mechanism is operatively attached to the spool and is configured to urge the spool to rotate in a first rotational direction about the axis. An electricity operated rotation regulator is operatively attached to the spool and is configured to, when activated, prevent the spool from rotating in the first rotational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Crestron Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert Pedoeem, Kriss Replogle
  • Patent number: 11217996
    Abstract: An electric vehicle fast charger and methods thereof are described, adapted for re-use of magnetic components of an electric vehicle having traction converters when the electric vehicle is stationary and connected to a power grid. A switching stage provided by one or more sets of switches is controlled complementarily with the switches of the traction converters to (i) provide inversion of a grid voltage and (ii) shape current of the grid current between the electric vehicle and the power grid to track a waveshape of the grid voltage. A single switching stage and a dual switching stage circuit are contemplated, along with switch controller circuits, and instruction sets for switch control. Variants provide for energy transfer to accommodate for energy imbalances between storage devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignees: THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO, ELEAPPOWER LTD.
    Inventors: Peter Lehn, Theodore Soong, Philippe Gray, Sepehr Semsar
  • Patent number: 11214159
    Abstract: A charging system for charging an electric vehicle is provided. The charging system includes a charging station, at least one charging connector, which is able to be coupled to the electric vehicle in order to charge same, a buffer storage device for storing energy, power electronics that are configured to provide the energy from the buffer storage device and/or from a mains connection to the charging station at the at least one charging connector, and a coolant reservoir in which a coolant for cooling the power electronics is stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Inventors: Raoul Heyne, Florian Joslowski
  • Patent number: 11214166
    Abstract: A charge control system for a vehicle, which is configured to control charging of a power storage device, includes a user detector that determines whether a user is present within a predetermined range relative to the vehicle, and a vehicle electronic control unit configured to permit the power storage device to be charged with electric power generated by the generator, in addition to the power from the outside of the vehicle, during external charging, when the user detector determines that the user is present within the predetermined range. The vehicle ECU is configured to inhibit power generation by the generator during external charging when the user detector determines that the user is not present within the predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohito Ono, Terufumi Miyazaki, Yosuke Suzuki, Hiroto Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 11207999
    Abstract: A charger includes a first connection port, a second connection port, a DC-DC converter, a first microcontroller, and a second microcontroller. The DC-DC converter is configured to convert a first DC voltage into a second DC current/voltage according to a regulation signal, and output the second DC current/voltage through the second connection port. The second DC voltage is lower than the first DC voltage. The first microcontroller is configured to communicate with a DC charging station by handshake via the first connection port. When the handshake between the first microcontroller and the DC charging station succeeds, the first microcontroller generates a regulation indication according to a result of the handshake between the first microcontroller and a battery, the second microcontroller generates the regulation signal according to the regulation indication, and the first DC voltage is supplied by the DC charging station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Chung-Hwa Wei, Cheng-Hsien Cho, Hui-Hsin Lin
  • Patent number: 11207987
    Abstract: A charging arrangement for an electric vehicle having a traction battery is disclosed having a power supply station connected to a power network and a power supply cable with charging plug. In order to perform a charging process, the charging plug is connected to the electric vehicle in which a voltage converter is arranged in the charging plug to convert the supply voltage UV into a charging voltage UL, which is lower relative thereto, and a method for operating the charging arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: SCIENLAB BETEILIGUNGSGESELLSCHAFT mbH
    Inventors: Roger Uhlenbrock, Michael Schugt, Peter Muss, Christoph Dörlemann
  • Patent number: 11208000
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle comprising a power storage device; a connecting portion configured to be connectable with an external power source; a converter configured to be connected with the connecting portion and with the power storage device; and a control device configured to control the converter. When the external power source is connected with the connecting portion, the control device performs charging control to control the converter, such that electric power from the external power source is subjected to voltage conversion and is then supplied to the power storage device. On completion of charging of the power storage device, the control device starts a system by using electric power from the power storage device after disconnection of the converter from the external power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuya Ando, Takeaki Suzuki, Shinsuke Iwasaki, Miki Sugita, Yuko Asano
  • Patent number: 11203264
    Abstract: Charging socket for an electrically driven vehicle, having a main body with at least one contact section having electrical contacts for receiving in an interlocking manner a mating contact section of a charging plug having electrical mating contacts for forming an electrical charging connection between the electrical contacts and the electrical mating contacts, wherein the main body has at least one heating element for heating the at least one contact section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Inventor: Thomas Nagel
  • Patent number: 11203267
    Abstract: A dual-voltage charging station system for an alternating current (“AC”) power supply and a mobile platform having a charging port includes a charge coupler, an AC-to-DC conversion stage, a cable, and a controller. The charge coupler has AC pins and direct current (“DC”) pins configured to engage with respective AC and DC receptacles of the charging port. The conversion stage is connected to the charge coupler and the AC power supply, converts the supply voltage to a DC charging voltage, and relays an appropriate AC or DC accessory voltage. The cable connects to the charge coupler such that the AC pins receive the accessory voltage and the DC pins receive the DC charging voltage. The controller simultaneously delivers the accessory voltage and the DC voltage to the mobile platform via the AC pins and the DC pins, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Rashmi Prasad, Chandra S. Namuduri
  • Patent number: 11198372
    Abstract: An ECU of a vehicle performs processing for diagnosing sticking of a charge relay with an SMR being open. The sticking diagnosis processing is performed while electric power is being supplied from a DC power feed facility to the vehicle. The sticking diagnosis processing includes both-element sticking diagnosis processing and one-element sticking diagnosis processing. The ECU performs both-element sticking diagnosis processing by outputting an output command to the DC power feed facility. When it is determined that both of the charge relays have not stuck in the both-element sticking diagnosis processing, the ECU performs one-element sticking diagnosis processing and diagnoses whether or not sticking has occurred in each of the charge relays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yamato Niwa
  • Patent number: 11196332
    Abstract: A recharging electric generator system which generates electrical energy and recharges itself, and methods thereof. A recharging electric generator system comprises at least one inverting apparatus; at least one power source/storage device to start the system and store electrical energy; at least one switching device; at least one transformer unit to adjust the voltage of the electrical energy, at least one rectifying unit to convert a portion of the electrical energy from alternating current to direct current and to transfer electrical energy to recharge the at least one power source/storage device; and at least one power outlet/output terminal to distribute electrical energy for further use. A recharging electric generator system seeks to provide of renewable source of energy which could be applied to different sectors and is conducive to conditions in both developed and developing countries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Inventors: Cottrell Salisbury Gardiner, Samantha Rene Gardiner
  • Patent number: 11192231
    Abstract: A power supply system includes a wearing part worn on a hand of a worker, a connecting member held by the wearing part, and a control circuit. The connecting member is disposed at a position where it is attached to a tool-side attachment part provided on a grip of a power tool when the worker grips the grip. The connecting member includes, in an exposed manner, a power source terminal that supplies electric power to the power tool and a signal terminal that receives a response signal from the power tool, which are electrically connected to the power tool in an attached state where the connecting member is attached to the tool-side attachment part. The control circuit makes the power source terminal and a power source unit electrically continuous when the signal terminal receives the response signal and makes them electrically discontinuous when the signal terminal receives no response signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hayato Kano, Akihiro Yamada, Hiroki Kaneko