Battery Or Cell Charging Patents (Class 320/137)
  • Patent number: 10608703
    Abstract: A system for managing power supply devices includes an electronic device and plural power supply devices including a first power supply device and a second power supply device. The electronic device is configured to enable the first power supply device to delete a part of battery information stored therein, and enable the second power supply device to store therein a portion of the battery information that was originally stored in the power supply device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: KWANG YANG MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chen-Sheng Lin, Sen-Hsien Chang, Po-Yu Chuang, Jen-Chiun Lin, Yuh-Rey Chen, Te-Chuan Liu
  • Patent number: 10586973
    Abstract: A method of producing a secondary battery disclosed here includes forming a positive electrode active material layer containing a lithium- and manganese-containing composite oxide on a positive electrode current collector to produce a positive electrode; measuring a peel strength between the positive electrode active material layer and the positive electrode current collector; producing a secondary battery assembly including the positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a nonaqueous electrolyte using the positive electrode; and initially charging the secondary battery assembly. When the secondary battery assembly is initially charged, a charging rate is determined based on the measured peel strength, and in a predetermined peel strength range, a lower charging rate is set for a secondary battery assembly including a positive electrode having a low peel strength than for a secondary battery assembly including a positive electrode having a large peel strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akira Tsujiko, Ippei Goto
  • Patent number: 10587115
    Abstract: This specification describes a power distribution system comprising a first section that receives power from a first source. The power received from the first source is adjusted by a first rectifier unit coupled to a first power bus of the first section. The system also comprises a second section that is separate from the first section and that receives power from a second source. The power received from the second source is adjusted by a second rectifier unit coupled to a second power bus of the second distribution section. The system includes a swing rectifier connected to the first section and connected to the second section. The swing rectifier is configured to provide power to the first power bus and to the second power bus and to dynamically adjust the power capacity of the first section that is available to computing loads, and to dynamically adjust the power capacity of the second section that is available to computing loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Eduardo Lao, Jyoti Sastry, James Kennedy, Christopher Gregory Malone, Varun Sakalkar
  • Patent number: 10566988
    Abstract: A control circuit for a switching converter is described herein. In accordance with one embodiment the control circuit includes an analog bus that receives a plurality of input signals and a first set of functional units that are operable to receive at least some of the input signals via the analog bus and to process the input signals to generate digital output data based on the input signals. The control circuit further includes an event bus that has an event bus controller and a plurality of bus lines and a second set of functional units that are operable to receive the output data, via the event bus, from the functional units of the first set. At least one functional unit of the second set of functional units is operable to determine switching time instants for the switching converter based on the output data received via the event bus, and the event bus controller includes an arbiter operable to arbitrate data transmission across the bus lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Anthony Sanders, Matthias Schneider
  • Patent number: 10553745
    Abstract: Various embodiments of solid state transducer (“SST”) devices are disclosed. In several embodiments, a light emitter device includes a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitor, an active region operably coupled to the MOS capacitor, and a bulk semiconductor material operably coupled to the active region. The active region can include at least one quantum well configured to store first charge carriers under a first bias. The bulk semiconductor material is arranged to provide second charge carriers to the active region under the second bias such that the active region emits UV light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin F. Schubert, Vladimir Odnoblyudov
  • Patent number: 10552923
    Abstract: An electric vehicle charging control system includes a battery for operating the electric vehicle that is charged by a charging connection to a charging station. A user interface is associated with the electric vehicle and includes a display and a user input device. A communication system communicates with the charging station. The communication system receives a congestion signal from the charging station when a second electric vehicle is waiting for charging by the charging station. After the congestion signal is received, the user interface prompts an operator of the electric vehicle that the second electric vehicle is waiting for charging by the charging station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: David Cun
  • Patent number: 10554067
    Abstract: A power adapter, an electronic equipment, a battery charging system and a battery charging method are provided. The power adapter include a communication interface and charges via the communication interface a battery of the electronic equipment; during charging a battery, the power adapter is configured to: first charge the battery in a regular charging mode; when an output current value of the power adapter falls within a regular current range for a predefined time period, send a quick charge inquiry instruction to the electronic equipment; after receiving a quick charge command sent by the electronic equipment, adjust an output voltage according to battery voltage information fed back by the electronic equipment; and if the output voltage meets a quick charge voltage requirement predefined, adjust an output current and the output voltage according to a quick charge mode so as to charge the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventors: Jialiang Zhang, Fuchun Liao, Yuanxiang Hu, Liangcai Peng, Fengshuo Liu, Kewei Wu
  • Patent number: 10532667
    Abstract: A two-way distribution, charging, and vending system permits a subscriber to exchange one or more partially or completely discharged portable electric energy storage devices for a comparable number of charged portable electric energy storage devices. The two-way distribution, charging, and vending system includes a number of charging modules, each with a dedicated power converter, communicably coupled to at least one two-way distribution system controller and to a power distribution grid. Upon receipt of a discharged portable electric energy storage device, the at least one two-way distribution system controller validates a manufacturer identifier and a subscriber identifier stored in a nontransitory storage media carried by the discharged portable electric energy storage device. Responsive to a successful authentication and validation, the at least one two-way distribution system controller dispenses a charged portable electric energy storage device to the subscriber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Gogoro Inc.
    Inventors: Jung-Hsiu Chen, Shen-Chi Chen, Yu-Lin Wu, Chien-Ming Huang, TsungTing Chan, Feng Kai Yang
  • Patent number: 10535108
    Abstract: A power feeding management apparatus includes: a power feeding side identification information acquiring unit that acquires power feeding side identification information for identifying the power feeding side from a device or a user's communication terminal in the power feeding side; a power receiving side identification information acquiring unit that acquires power receiving side identification information for identifying the power receiving side from a device or a user's communication terminal in the power receiving side; a power feeding information acquiring unit that acquires power feeding information about a power amount fed from the device in the power feeding side or a power amount fed to the device in the power receiving side; and a transmission unit that associates with one another: the power feeding side identification information; the power receiving side identification information; and the power feeding information, and transmits them to a transaction management apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Haneda, Chieko Sou
  • Patent number: 10534412
    Abstract: A system to regulate the temperature of a Source Port that includes a Port Controller having a first source power capabilities list stored thereon in a non-transitory digital media, the source capabilities list identifying a plurality of first power delivery capabilities that, based on their power requirements, may be negotiated by the Port Controller, a temperature sensor that measures a temperature of the power system and communicates that measured temperature to a comparator. The comparator compares the measured temperature to predefined limit temperatures and when the measured temperature crosses a predefined limit temperature threshold, the first source capabilities list being replaced with a second source capabilities list identifying a plurality of second power capabilities that, based on their power requirements, may be connected to the Source Port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems Corp.
    Inventors: David Perchlik, Reid Adriance
  • Patent number: 10525831
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a first battery configured to output power at a first voltage, a second battery configured to output power at a second voltage, and a direct current (DC)-DC converter configured to convert the first voltage of the first battery to the second voltage and supply power at the second voltage to the second battery. The DC-DC converter includes a transformer, at least one switch, at least one rectifying diode, and a snubber circuit. The transformer is configured to transform the first voltage to the second voltage. The at least one switch is configured to control a first current input to the transformer from the first battery. The at least one rectifying diode is configured to rectify an alternate current (AC) output from the transformer. The snubber circuit is configured to prevent overvoltage from being applied to the at least one rectifying diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, Korea University Research and Business Foundation
    Inventors: JinYoung Yang, Taejong Ha, Youngjin Kim, Yong Sin Kim, Sang-hun Lee
  • Patent number: 10513189
    Abstract: A charging system includes an electric bus and a charger. The charger includes a supply unit and a second communication unit. The supply unit supplies power to the electric bus stopped at a preset position. If power is being supplied to the electric bus by the supply unit, the second communication unit transmits a first identifier of the charger, if power is not being supplied to the electric bus by the supply unit, transmits a second identifier that is an identifier of the charger and different from the first identifier, and if a first command is received from the electric bus, transmits and receives information related to charging of a storage functional unit included in the electric bus, with the electric bus being a transmission source of the first command, using radio communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Infrastructure Systems & Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Takehara, Fumiyasu Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 10511006
    Abstract: A battery module includes a lower housing and a plurality of battery cells. The plurality of battery cells are electrically coupled together to produce a voltage. A lid assembly is disposed over the battery cells and is coupled to the lower housing. The lid assembly includes a lid and a plurality of bus bar interconnects mounted on the lid. A printed circuit board (PCB) assembly is disposed on and coupled to the lid assembly, and the PCB assembly includes a PCB. A cover is disposed over and coupled to the lower housing to hermetically seal the battery module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: CPS TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Richard M. DeKeuster, Edward J. Soleski, Robert J. Mack, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Stephen D. Cash, Lisa L. Winders, Jack L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10502481
    Abstract: A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a power input part through which power is input from a UPS device connected to a commercial power source and an auxiliary power source; a voltage sensor configured to sense a voltage of the power input through the power input part; and a control part configured to analyze a voltage signal sensed by the voltage sensor and to determine whether the input power is commercial power or auxiliary power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Shinhyun Park, Sun Kim, Byoungsuk Choi, Jinseok Hu
  • Patent number: 10478259
    Abstract: A system for charging an onboard battery of a medical device prior to use of the medical device may include a package configured to accommodate the medical device therein. A power source may be disposed relative to the package and may be capable of charging the onboard battery of the medical device prior to use of the medical device. The system may be capable of being subjected to a sterilization process with the power source disposed within the second cavity. In some instances, the power source is uncharged during sterilization. In some cases, the power source is encapsulated or otherwise sealed during sterilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Jan Weber, Daniel Burgess, Kathryn A. Johnson, James M. Peck
  • Patent number: 10471837
    Abstract: A high-voltage charge booster is provided for charging a direct current traction battery at a direct current charging pillar. The high-voltage charge booster has a converter (14) for transforming the first voltage level into the second voltage level if the first voltage level differs from the second voltage level. A bypass (16) bypasses the converter (14) or connects through a power stage if the first voltage level corresponds to the second voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dirk Herke, Daniel Spesser
  • Patent number: 10476401
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for converting voltage comprising a converter and a controller, wherein the converter has three half bridges, each with four transistors, and at least one half bridge has two switching elements, wherein by means of a first switching element, a central tap between two diodes is connected in a first switched position to a neutral point of a DC link capacitor and, in a second switched position, to a positive charging connection for an external DC voltage source, and by means of a second switching element, a central tap of the half bridge is connected in a first switched position to a pole of an AC voltage connection, and in a second switched position to a negative pole of a DC voltage connection. Moreover, the invention relates to a traction network as well as a method for charging a battery of a traction network by means of an external DC voltage source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Rüdiger Kusch, Hendrik Schröder
  • Patent number: 10476367
    Abstract: A voltage and current triggered switch that turns on when a voltage across the switch reaches a turn-on voltage and that turns off when a current through the switch drops below a holding current. The switch features a Zener diode having a breakdown voltage. The Zener diode is connected to set the turn-on voltage of the switch to be the breakdown voltage of the Zener diode. Also provided is a step-down DC-DC converter comprising such a switch. Also provided is a system that has a tribo-electricity source or a piezo-electricity source, the provided step-down DC-DC converter and a load connected to an output of the stepdown DC-DC converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF CANADA
    Inventors: Heping Ding, George Xiao, Ryan Griffin, Ye Tao
  • Patent number: 10461666
    Abstract: Provided is an electrostatic energy harvester Including a lower electrode; a ferroelectric material layer which is disposed on the lower electrode and formed of a poled ferroelectric material; a friction-charged body which is adapted to be repeatedly contacted with and separated from the ferroelectric material layer and has an electric susceptibility different from an electric susceptibility of the ferroelectric material layer; and an upper electrode provided on the friction-charged body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sangwoo Kim, Keun Young Lee, Seongsu Kim, Juhyuck Lee
  • Patent number: 10447060
    Abstract: A charging device includes a main control circuit, a connecting interface, a power supply circuit and a detecting circuit. When an energy storage element connects to the charging device, the connecting interface is coupled to two terminals of a temperature control element. The power supply circuit is coupled to the connecting interface and the main control circuit. The detecting circuit is coupled to the connecting interface. When the energy storage element connects to the charging device, the detecting circuit generates a detecting signal being used to trigger the power supply circuit to provide a main operating voltage to the main control circuit. When temperature of the energy storage element exceeds a threshold, the temperature control element makes the detecting circuit not to generate the detecting signal, so the power supply circuit ceases to provide the main operating voltage to the main control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: CHICONY POWER TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Chang Lee, Chien-Hung Chen, Chih-Chung Yen, Chung-Shu Lee
  • Patent number: 10424972
    Abstract: Systems and methods for leveraging multipath wireless transmissions for high data rate communication and charging devices within multipath vehicle environments are described. The techniques include deploying a wireless charger, including an array of antennas, within a vehicle interior. The wireless charger may detect an incoming signal from a client device. Each antenna in the array may determine an offset for the received signal, which is then used to tune parameters for each antenna individually. Upon transmission, the resulting signal is directionally biased toward the least lossy pathways between the device and the charger. These pathways avoid passengers and other sources of signal attenuation. Thus, for a given total power envelope, a greater total signal amplitude may be delivered to the device, with reduced exposure to any occupants of the vehicle. Additionally, the interior of the vehicle may be provisioned to help improve multipath focusing of transmissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Ossia Inc.
    Inventors: Hatem Ibrahim Zeine, Siamak Ebadi
  • Patent number: 10404072
    Abstract: An energy storage system for renewable energy applications includes a renewable energy source, a bidirectional inverter connected an AC bus and a DC bus, an energy storage unit connected to the bidirectional DC/DC converter, and a control system comprising one or more controllers coupled to the bidirectional inverter and the bidirectional DC/DC converter. The bidirectional inverter is connected to the renewable energy source and a bidirectional DC/DC converter through the DC bus. The control system is configured to facilitate the operation of the bidirectional DC/DC converter and the bidirectional inverter. The energy storage system both stores energy from the renewable energy source and a utility grid, and also supplies power to the utility grid. The energy storage system is utilized in a method for supporting frequency regulation of a utility grid and a method for controlling an output power ramp rate for a renewable energy storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: DYNAPOWER COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: John C. Palombini, Apurva Somani
  • Patent number: 10396323
    Abstract: Provided are an electrical box for a battery pack and a battery pack structure using the same. The electrical box for the battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is embedded in the battery pack structure in which one or more battery modules are received and includes a battery protection circuit configured to protect the one or more battery modules, and a housing configured to receive the battery protection circuit therein, wherein the housing includes flanges that contact an inner frame constituting a load-bearing structure of the battery pack structure and are configured to support the inner frame, thereby preventing the battery pack structure from being deformed by a load of the battery pack or an external impact and improving the strength and durability of the battery pack structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: In-Jae Gang, Bum-Hyun Lee, Hyeon-Kyu Kim
  • Patent number: 10385817
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling automatic start/stop operations for an engine. While the engine is shutdown, operation of the engine may be automatically started upon expiration of a threshold time limit or in response to one or more adverse or deteriorated conditions of a power storage device, such as, for example, a state of health, state of function, or state of charge of the power storage device. After the engine has been automatically started, the ability of the controller to subsequently automatically stop the operation of the engine may be disabled until at least one secondary condition is satisfied. Upon satisfaction of the at least one secondary condition, the controller may again be enabled to at least automatically stop the operation of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Martin T. Books, Erik L. Piper, Brian R. Alderfer, Jaideep Prasad, John P. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 10359495
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an open-circuit voltage estimation device that estimates a high-precision open-circuit voltage value, a power storage apparatus, and an open-circuit voltage estimation method. The open-circuit voltage estimation device includes: an open-circuit voltage calculator that calculates an open-circuit voltage value of a secondary cell; a polarization voltage estimator that estimates a component having a relatively large time constant among polarization voltage components of the secondary cell; and an open-circuit voltage corrector that corrects the open-circuit voltage value calculated by the open-circuit voltage calculator with the component having the relatively large time constant estimated by the polarization voltage estimator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Manabu Uchino
  • Patent number: 10361595
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed of a wireless power transmission system (WPTS) and wireless power receiver client (WPRC). The WPTS may directionally transmit wireless power to a first WPRC while concurrently directionally transmitting wireless data to at least a second WRPC. The WPTS and WPRC may reuse circuitry configured to transmit/receive wireless power to also transmit/receive wireless data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: OSSIA INC.
    Inventors: Hatem I. Zeine, Robert Giometti
  • Patent number: 10348105
    Abstract: When it has been determined according to a voltage detected by a voltage detecting unit 31 that a voltage detection line 23 between a focused-on battery 21 and the voltage detecting unit 31 has been broken, operations of each of switches 22 are controlled to separate a battery module 2 that includes the voltage detection line 23 from a power supply apparatus 1. When it has been determined according to the voltage detected by the voltage detecting unit 31 that the focused-on battery 21 has been overcharged or overdischarged, power input to, or output from, every battery module 2 is limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Hiroko Adaniya, Takahiro Tsuzuku, Hiroyuki Nomura, Junichi Hatano, Ryusuke Hase
  • Patent number: 10326289
    Abstract: A rechargeable handheld electrically operated smoking device is provided, including a rechargeable power source; a first charging contact connected to the power source by a MOSFET voltage-controlled switch having a source, drain, and gate terminals; an operational amplifier including a non-inverting input connected to the source terminal, an inverting input connected to the drain terminal, and an output connected to the gate terminal; and a second charging contact connected to the power source, the switch being configured to prevent current flow between the first charging contact and the power source through the switch when a voltage difference therebetween is lower than a first threshold voltage, the device being configured to amplify a voltage difference between the source and drain terminals and apply it to the gate terminal, closed loop feedback is applied to the inverting input, and a biasing resistor is connected between the inverting input and electrical ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventor: Dominique Bernauer
  • Patent number: 10324216
    Abstract: A method for foreign object detection for an induction charging device is described, including an oscillator circuit, in particular, for a hand-held power tool, a resonance frequency and an associated actual quality of the oscillator circuit being detected and the actual quality is subsequently compared to a setpoint quality as a function of the resonance frequency and a decision is made about the presence of a foreign object based on a defined setpoint quality range. The method provides that an internal temperature of induction charging device is detected, in particular, during the wireless energy transmission, and the actual quality is multiplied by a correction factor based on the internal temperature. Also, an induction charging device is described that includes an oscillator circuit and a control and regulating unit, as well as at least one temperature sensor for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Mack, Dragan Krupezevic, Martin Gonda
  • Patent number: 10295610
    Abstract: An electric power storage system for a vehicle includes an electric power storage device, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The vehicle includes an ignition switch. The electric power storage device is mounted on the vehicle. The temperature sensor is configured to detect a temperature of the electric power storage device. The controller is configured to estimate a rest temperature of the electric power storage device at a time when the ignition switch is OFF. The controller is configured to acquire the temperature of the electric power storage device at a time when the ignition switch is ON by using the temperature sensor when the ignition switch is turned ON. The controller is configured to estimate the rest temperature by using an average value of at least two of a plurality of the temperatures acquired during a predetermined period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiro Kagami, Takuro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 10291070
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to transmit a request for a setting of power transmission in accordance with change of power consumption to a power transmission apparatus. A power reception apparatus according to the present invention includes a power reception unit which wirelessly receives electric power from a power transmission apparatus, a detection unit which detects an instruction for controlling a load unit which operates using the electric power received by the power reception unit, and a transmission unit which transmits, to the power transmission apparatus, a request for changing an amount of reception power in accordance with change of an amount of power consumption of the load unit caused when the load unit is operated in response to the instruction detected by the detection unit while the power reception unit receives the electric power, before the load unit is operated in response to the instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tadashi Eguchi
  • Patent number: 10291050
    Abstract: A charging control apparatus and method for an electronic device are provided. During a process of charging, the power adapter first charges the battery with a constant-voltage direct current output, and then after the power adapter receives a quick-charging instruction, the power adapter adjusts an output voltage according to the voltage of the battery fed back by the charging control circuit, and if the output voltage meets a quick-charging voltage condition pre-set by the charging control circuit, the power adapter adjusts an output current and the output voltage respectively according to a preset quick-charging current value and a preset quick-charging voltage value for quick-charging the battery, and meanwhile the charging control circuit introduces direct current from the power adapter for charging the battery; during a process of quick-charging, the power adapter adjusts the output current in real time according to the output voltage thereof and the voltage of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICAITONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventors: Jialiang Zhang, Kewei Wu, Jun Zhang, Dashuai Huang, Yuanxiang Hu
  • Patent number: 10270328
    Abstract: A multilevel power converter includes at least one phase leg. The phase leg includes a plurality of cascaded chain link connected cells, each cell including a capacitor and two semiconductor switches in series, each with an anti-parallel connected diode. The plurality of cascaded chain link connected cells includes first and second cells which form a mirrored cell-pair such that the two semiconductor switches of each of the first and second cells are all connected in series with each other. The converter further includes an energy storage connected between the first and second cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: Tomas Tengner, Amel Lachichi, Lennart Harnefors, Georgios Karmiris
  • Patent number: 10256713
    Abstract: A power conversion device which converts power between a power grid and a DC power supply, includes: AC/DC converters for performing conversion from AC power to DC power or from DC power to AC power between the power grid and the DC power supply; a capacitor provided on the DC power supply side of the AC/DC converters and storing DC power; and a step-up unit for charging the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomohito Fukuda, Hitoshi Kawaguchi, Kikuo Izumi, Masanori Kageyama
  • Patent number: 10252626
    Abstract: A charger with a power converting inverter that can be reliably stopped by a forced stop signal, without causing an increase in part quantity. A control power supply supplies voltage to gate drive circuits, which supply gate signals to an inverter. The control power supply includes a transformer, a power supply control circuit IC that repeatedly opens and closes a primary side circuit formed by a primary winding of the transformer and an auxiliary machine power supply being connected in series, and a rectifier that generates power supply voltage to be supplied to the gate drive circuits by rectifying AC voltage generated in a secondary winding of the transformer. The power supply control IC turns off a FET in accordance with a forced stop signal, thereby forcibly switching the primary side circuit to an open state, and stopping the supply of power supply voltage to the gate drive circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Tajima, Osamu Takei
  • Patent number: 10245961
    Abstract: An inverter-charger combination includes plurality of first and second switching elements, a capacitor, and a dual active bridge, connected in parallel to one another. The first and the second switching elements are connected in series to form switching subassemblies that are disposed in parallel and are connected to an AC source. Each of the first and the second switching elements has a first and a second contactor, and, when the first contactor is open and the second contactor is closed, an electric current flows from a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) in direct current form to a load in AC form through the switching subassemblies to provide power to the load, and when the first contactor is closed and the second contractor is open, an electric current flows from the AC source in AC form to the RESS in DC form through the switching subassemblies to charge the RESS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Inventor: Bradley A. Landseadel
  • Patent number: 10243385
    Abstract: A method of managing a battery system, the method including receiving at least one measured characteristic of the at least one battery cell from the at least one sensor, estimating at least one state of the at least one battery cell at a first time by applying an electrochemical-based battery model, estimating at least one physical parameter of the at least one battery cell based on the at least one measured characteristic and the estimation of the at least one state, estimating the at least one state at a second time, subsequent to the first time, by applying the electrochemical-based battery model based on the estimated at least one parameter, and regulating at least one of charging or discharging of the at least one battery cell based on the estimation of the at least one state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Anahita MirTabatabaei, Reinhardt Klein, Aleksandar Kojic, Nalin Chaturvedi, Christopher Mayhew, John F. Christensen
  • Patent number: 10224733
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a charging unit that charges a battery using power from an external power source, an authentication unit that performs authentication to determine whether the battery is a predetermined battery, a detection unit that detects a voltage of the battery, and a control unit that causes the charging unit to charge the battery with a current not more than a first current value until the voltage of the battery reaches a first predetermined value and causes the authentication unit to operate on power from the battery when the voltage of the battery reaches the first predetermined value. When the voltage of the battery has reached the first predetermined value, the control unit causes the authentication unit to authenticate the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuomi Toguchi
  • Patent number: 10211685
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and devices using an improved wireless communications component that allows for real time or near-real time data sampling reporting between devices using modified wireless communications protocols (e.g., Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi), and real time or near-real time behavior adjustments by a first device based on the data samples received from a second device. Embodiments disclosed herein comprise devices, such as receivers and transmitters, having communications components that may communicate data samples, such as power values, in real time or near-real time, thereby allowing a first device (e.g., transmitter) to adjust in real time or near-real time operational behavior of the first device's hardware or software (e.g., adjust power waves) based upon the data samples (e.g., power values) received from a second device (e.g., receiver).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Bell, Michael A. Leabman
  • Patent number: 10211733
    Abstract: An apparatus that includes a resonant DC-DC converter with switching frequencies based on stray inductances of the physical components used to construct the apparatus. This results in a relatively high efficiency and high density DC-DC converter that, in some implementations, does not require a discrete inductor component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Shuai Jiang, Xin Li
  • Patent number: 10205407
    Abstract: An inverter device, an energy storage system comprising such an inverter device, and a method of controlling such an inverter device are provided. The inverter device has a split-phase, transformer-less configuration and is connectable between a battery and a power grid for transferring power in a bidirectional manner between said battery and said power grid. The inverter device further comprises: an inverter circuit comprising switching elements arranged in a multilevel clamped topology; and a control unit controlling said switching elements, wherein said control unit is configured to control said switching elements such that direct current (DC) power from said battery is transformed into alternating current (AC) power and supplied to said power grid during a discharging period, and AC power from said power grid is transformed into DC power and supplied to said battery during a charging period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Sonnen GmbH
    Inventors: Antonio Ginart, Hermann Schweizer
  • Patent number: 10193368
    Abstract: A charging control apparatus and method for an electronic device are provided. During a process of charging, the power adapter first charges the battery with a constant-voltage direct current output, and then after the power adapter receives a quick-charging instruction, the power adapter adjusts an output voltage according to the voltage of the battery fed back by the charging control module, and if the output voltage meets a quick-charging voltage condition pre-set by the charging control module, the power adapter adjusts an output current and the output voltage respectively according to a preset quick-charging current value and a preset quick-charging voltage value for quick-charging the battery, and meanwhile the charging control module introduces direct current from the power adapter for charging the battery; during a process of quick-charging, the power adapter adjusts the output current in real time according to the output voltage thereof and the voltage of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventors: Jialiang Zhang, Kewei Wu, Jun Zhang, Dashuai Huang, Yuanxiang Hu
  • Patent number: 10193326
    Abstract: Non-ideal diodes have a non-zero resistance across a PN junction when the junction is forward biased. When a diode comprising a power supply has a voltage drop across the junction that exceeds a predetermined threshold, the threshold-exceeding voltage drop trips a comparator, the output of which controls a switch between a power supply and a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Mirsky, Larry A. Sparling, Jonathan T. Klister
  • Patent number: 10186893
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and devices using an improved wireless communications component that allows for real time or near-real time data sampling reporting between devices using modified wireless communications protocols (e.g., Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi), and real time or near-real time behavior adjustments by a first device based on the data samples received from a second device. Embodiments disclosed herein comprise devices, such as receivers and transmitters, having communications components that may communicate data samples, such as power values, in real time or near-real time, thereby allowing a first device (e.g., transmitter) to adjust in real time or near-real time operational behavior of the first device's hardware or software (e.g., adjust power waves) based upon the data samples (e.g., power values) received from a second device (e.g., receiver).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Bell, Michael A. Leabman
  • Patent number: 10181877
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for a charger which interacts with devices equipped with receivers. The charger may likewise have access to a server via a network connection. The charger receives a beacon signal from the receiver, and transmits power, and a control signal, to the device. Applications enable proper communication between the charger and the receiver. The receiver interprets and effectuates the commands. The receiver also includes sensors which generate data regarding the device status and usage. This data is provided to the server, via the charger. The server maintains a database of all user data collected from the devices, as well as user configurations. The user and third parties may access this data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Ossia Inc.
    Inventor: Hatem Zeine
  • Patent number: 10181624
    Abstract: The present invention provides a metal-air battery, wherein a failure in a wiring portion can be repaired easily. The present invention provides a metal electrode cartridge including a first operation portion and a first insertion portion extended from the first operation portion, wherein the first insertion portion includes a first fuel electrode containing a metal serving as an electrode active material, the first operation portion includes a first fuel electrode terminal electrically connected to the first fuel electrode and a first air electrode connection portion, and the first air electrode connection portion includes a first internal connection terminal and a first external connection terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaki Kaga, Akihito Yoshida, Hirotaka Mizuhata, Shinobu Takenaka, Masashi Muraoka, Shunsuke Sata, Tomoharu Arai
  • Patent number: 10170923
    Abstract: An adaptive buck converter of a charging cable includes: a power receiving interface for receiving a DC voltage and a cable current from a cable; a terminal communication interface for transmitting a charging voltage and a charging current to a connection terminal of the charging cable and for receiving a communication signal generated by a mobile device from the connection terminal; a power converting circuit for receiving the DC voltage and the cable current from the power receiving interface and for generating the charging voltage and the charging current; a monitor circuit arranged to operably detect the DC voltage or the cable current; and a data processing circuit configured for controlling the power converting circuit according to the communication signal. The data processing circuit further communicates with the mobile device through the terminal communication interface and the connection terminal in response to a detection result of the monitor circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: RICHTEK TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ta-Yung Yang, Jing-Meng Liu, Isaac Y. Chen, Tzu-Chen Lin
  • Patent number: 10160335
    Abstract: A power distributing apparatus of a vehicle includes an on-board charger (OBC) for charging a battery of an electric vehicle, an electric power control unit (EPCU) stacked on the on-board charger for controlling power of the electric vehicle, and a junction block including a first bus bar block and a second bus bar block supplying a current, wherein in the junction block, the first bus bar block is coupled to the on-board charger and the second bus bar block is coupled to the EPCU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, YURA CORPORATION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yun Jae Jung, Kwang Moo Lee, Gil Woo Jung
  • Patent number: 10160342
    Abstract: A method for dynamically adjusting a battery current limit in a system having a battery pack includes determining a battery pack current as a charge current flowing into or a discharge current flowing from the battery pack, and also calculating a time-windowed average current for each of the charge current, the discharge current, and an RMS current of the battery pack. The battery current limit may be dynamically adjusted when any or all of the calculated time-windowed averages exceeds a corresponding calibrated control threshold. The battery current limit is a window-specific current limit that is greater than the calibrated control threshold and less than a static/fixed current limit for the battery pack. A system includes the battery pack, a sensor operable for measuring a current inflow/outflow to/from the battery pack, and a controller programmed to dynamically adjust the battery current limit using the above method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Baraszu, Daniel R. Brouns, Patrick E. Frost, Kurt M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10135279
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present application provide a method of battery charging, which relates to the field of battery charging and is capable of effectively improving safety performance of the battery. The method includes: obtaining an anode open circuit voltage curve, an anode impedance curve, a lithium deposition potential threshold and a state of charge, corresponding to a battery; determining a current anode open circuit voltage according to the anode open circuit voltage curve and the state of charge; determining a current anode impedance according to the anode impedance curve and the state of charge; determining a current charging current according to the current anode open circuit voltage, the current anode impedance and the lithium deposition potential threshold; and charging the battery according to the current charging current. Embodiments of the present application are applicable to a rapid battery charging process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: NINGDE AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Fuping Luo, Yu Luo, Shengwei Wang, Zhanzhao Fang, Chao Gao, Qiang Zheng