Having Solid-state Control Device Patents (Class 320/163)
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Patent number: 9041343Abstract: A system for protecting a power consuming circuit, the system comprising two terminals for receiving power and two terminals for providing received power. Between one of the receiving terminals and a providing terminal, a transistor is provided which is controlled by a Zener diode and to break the connection between one of the receiving terminals and a providing terminal, if a voltage over the providing terminals or the receiving terminals exceeds the breakdown voltage of the Zener diode.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2011Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Secop GmbHInventor: Rune Thomsen
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Patent number: 9041353Abstract: A battery fuel gauge apparatus comprises a current amplifier formed by a first transistor and a second transistor. Both transistors operate in the same operation conditions except that the second transistor has a smaller channel width in comparison with that of the first transistor. The first transistor is connected in series with a battery pack. The second transistor is connected in series with a sensing device. The sensing device comprises a first resistor and a second resistor connected in series. The first resistor has a positive temperature coefficient and the second resistor has a negative temperature coefficient.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2011Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventor: Justin Shi
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Patent number: 9030151Abstract: The present disclosure provides a solar cell pack and a method for balancing currents of solar cell modules. The solar cell pack includes a first solar cell module, a second solar cell module, a first balancer, a sampler and a controller. A negative pole of the first solar cell module is electrically connected to a positive pole of the second solar cell module. The first balancer is electrically connected to the first and the second solar cell modules in order to balance the current flowing through the both solar cell modules. An input terminal of the sampler is electrically connected to the first and the second solar cell modules. An output terminal of the sampler is electrically connected to an input terminal of the control unit. An output terminal of the control unit is electrically connected to an input terminal of the first balancer.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2012Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Guisong Huang, Jie Huang
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Patent number: 9007068Abstract: A method is provided for current-based detection of an electrical fault in an electrical network of a motor vehicle, the network having at least: one battery, one pulse-controlled inverter, one d.c. voltage converter, and an intermediate circuit associated with the pulse-controlled inverter. The method includes: detecting magnitudes of each a battery current, a d.c. voltage converter current, and an intermediate circuit current; comparing current magnitudes according to provided equations; and checking based on the comparison of whether a specifiable deviation has been exceeded. An alternative method for voltage-based detection of an electrical fault in an electrical network of a motor vehicle includes: detecting magnitudes of each a battery voltage, a d.c. voltage converter voltage, and an intermediate circuit voltage; comparing voltage magnitudes according to provided equations; and checking based on the comparison of whether a specifiable deviation has been exceeded.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2008Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Beqir Pushkolli, Ulrich Klein
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Patent number: 9000732Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus for managing a battery pack by reflecting a degradation degree of secondary cells, selecting the secondary cell having a maximum disparate voltage value among calculated disparate voltage values as a degraded cell in the current charging cycle, and updating the information on the degraded cell.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2012Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.Inventor: Cheol-Taek Kim
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Patent number: 8988019Abstract: An electric operating machine comprising a motor and a power circuit driving the motor by the electric power supplied from a battery. The power circuit comprises a voltage conversion part converting an input voltage entered in accordance with a voltage of said battery to generate an output voltage and outputting said generated output voltage to said motor. The power circuit is structured so that the voltage value of said output voltage of said voltage conversion part is changeable.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2011Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuhiko Funabashi, Nobuhiro Takano
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Patent number: 8981710Abstract: An energy management system and method connecting a load to multiple energy sources. The system includes a load connection, source connections for each energy source, a control unit and at least one energy management module having an inductor and four switches. The first source is in parallel with the load. The first switch couples the first source positive terminal to the first inductor end, second switch couples the first source negative terminal to the first inductor end, third switch couples the second source positive terminal to the second inductor end, and fourth switch couples the second source negative terminal to the second inductor end. The control unit controls the four switches of each module to transfer energy between the energy sources through the module inductor. The system can have more than two sources. Modes including one or two switch, synchronous or asynchronous, and buck or boost can be used.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2010Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Indy Power Systems LLCInventors: Andrew Stephen Hintz, Quentin Wayne Kramer
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Patent number: 8981721Abstract: A battery control device that controls a battery module in which a plurality of cell groups, in each of which a plurality of cells are connected in series, are connected in series or series-parallel, includes: a plurality of cell controller ICs that control each of the plurality of cell groups; and one or more connectors that are provided for connecting the plurality of cell controller ICs to the battery module; wherein: the plurality of cell controller ICs include first and second cell controller ICs that are provided in sequence, so as to control two or more of the cell groups that are connected in series; and an auxiliary connection member (a pin) is provided for connecting GND terminal side wiring of the first cell controller IC and VCC terminal side wiring of the second cell controller IC together, externally to the battery control device.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2011Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Tatsumi Yamauchi, Akihiro Machida, Akihiko Kudo
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Patent number: 8970162Abstract: System and method are provided for transferring electrical energy among multiple electrical energy storage devices via multiple differential power buses and capacitive load switched-mode power supplies. The switched-mode power supplies transfer the electrical energy between the load capacitors and the differential power buses to which the electrical energy storage devices (e.g., rechargeable batteries and/or capacitors connected in parallel or series or combinations of both) are electrically connected via bus switches. As a result, electrical energy is efficiently transferred and distributed among the electrical energy storage devices.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2011Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Jang Dae Kim, Jacek Justyn Marcinkowski
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Patent number: 8970163Abstract: Provided is a charge control system of a battery pack. The charge control system includes a charge unit, a battery management unit, a charger management unit, and a voltage level shift unit. The charge unit charges a battery. The battery management unit includes first and second ports, determines one of a charge mode and charge stop mode of the battery according to whether the charge unit is disabled, and controls outputs of the first and second ports according to the determined result. The charger management unit is connected to a data input terminal of a charger, and controls an operation of the charger according to a voltage level of the data input terminal. The voltage level shift unit shifts a voltage level of the data input terminal according to the outputs of the first and second ports.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2011Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hanseok Yun
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Publication number: 20150035497Abstract: Provided are improvements for systems and methods of alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) power regulation. The system improvements include a regulation circuit that controls a silicon controlled rectifier circuit. Method improvements include one or more of SCR load sharing, adaptive voltage droop compensation, and/or voltage rebound compensation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2014Publication date: February 5, 2015Applicant: Trumpet Holdings, Inc.Inventor: JAMES R. HANNAS
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Patent number: 8937461Abstract: A system for controlling charging of a battery and a battery pack including the system are disclosed. The system includes a comparison unit that compares an actual output voltage value of a charger with an expected supply voltage value of the charger, and a control unit that resets a taper current value according to the comparison result.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2012Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chilsung Park
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Patent number: 8928285Abstract: Stated is a charging-current regulating device for charging an energy storage device for a field device, and for regulating a charging current for the energy storage device, wherein regulating the charging current for the energy storage device takes place in such a manner that a limiting value relating to an input current of the field device is not exceeded. Regulating the charging current may take place in such a manner that energy storage takes place as quickly as possible and without overloading an input protection circuit of the field device.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2012Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: VEGA Grieshaber KGInventors: Volker Allgaier, Andreas Isenmann, Karl Griessbaum
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Patent number: 8921746Abstract: An inductively-heated applicator system including a heating module and applicator or applicator pen. The heating module includes a dock for seating the applicator. The heating module includes circuitry to selectively generate an electromagnetic field to wirelessly provide energy to the applicator when it is positioned in the dock. The heating module may also include temperature control circuitry to at least one of monitor and control the temperature of the applicator. The applicator pen includes a heating element that may be heated through energy provided by the electromagnetic field. The heating element may be directly inductively heated by the electromagnetic field. The heating element may be a roller element that heats and applies the product. Alternatively, the applicator may include a secondary in which electrical power is induced when the electromagnetic field is present. In this alternative, the power may be applied to the heating element to produce resistive heat.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2008Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Access Business Group International LLCInventors: David W. Baarman, Richard Bylsma, Thomas Jay Leppien, Jesse C. Leverett, Steve O. Mork
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Publication number: 20140375280Abstract: An apparatus and a method for charging a battery in an electronic device are provided. The method includes, when charging power of a first level is supplied from a charger, converting the charging power of the first level to a charging power of a second level before providing charging power to a charging circuit, providing the charging power of the second level to the charging circuit, wherein the charging power of the first level is greater than the charging power of the second level.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2014Publication date: December 25, 2014Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ku-Chul JUNG, Kisun LEE
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Patent number: 8917064Abstract: A control circuit is provided which includes a pre-charge circuit connected in parallel with a solid state switching device of, for example, a power distribution network. The pre-charge circuit pre-charges a load capacitance at a load side of the switching device prior to activation of the switching device. The pre-charge circuit includes a threshold waveform generation circuit and an over-current detect circuit. The threshold waveform generation circuit synthesizes a maximum acceptable charging waveform for the pre-charge circuit in charging the load capacitance, and the over-current detect circuit signals an over-current fault condition upon a charging current through the pre-charge circuit exceeding the synthesized, maximum acceptable charging waveform. The pre-charge circuit includes a sense resistor coupled to a power input side of the solid state switching device, with charging current through the pre-charge circuit being monitored via the sense resistor.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2012Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Robert B. Schlak
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Patent number: 8917062Abstract: The present invention discloses a charge control circuit for supplying power from an external power source to a first common node and charging a second common node from the first common node. A regulator circuit is coupled between the external power source and the first common node, and a transistor is coupled between the first common node and the second common node. The present invention detects an operation parameter of the transistor and controls an internal voltage source to generate a non-predetermined voltage difference accordingly. When the sum of the voltage at the second common node and the non-predetermined voltage is equal to or higher than the reference voltage, the voltage at the first common node is regulated to a level higher than the voltage at the second common node, and the transistor is in an optimum conductive state.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2012Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Richtek Technology CorporationInventors: Chien-Ping Lu, Nien-Hui Kung, Li-Wei Lee, Chia-Hsiang Lin, Chen-Hsiang Hsiao, Ko-Ching Su
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Patent number: 8912763Abstract: A charger device includes a switch, a voltage converter, a constant current circuit, and an automatic disconnecting circuit. The switch is connected to an alternating current (AC) power supply which triggers the charger device to work. The automatic disconnecting circuit is connected to the battery, the voltage converter and the constant current circuit automatically disconnect the voltage converter from the AC power supply when the battery is fully charged. The automatic disconnecting circuit comprises a first resistor, a voltage follower, a second resistor, a first zener diode, a variable resistor, a comparator, a third resistor, a first switch element, a diode and a relay. The relay comprises a coil and a normally-open switch connected between the AC power supply and voltage converter. The normally-open switch turns on or turns off to control a connection between the charger device and the AC power supply.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2012Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: He-Ling Pei, He-Ping Chen, Shou-Gang Feng
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Patent number: 8907634Abstract: A charger includes a power supply generating a direct current power supply potential, an output transistor, a USB connector, a controller, and a resistor bridge circuit. The controller has a potential setting circuit which sets the potentials of the first and second connection nodes of the resistor bridge circuit to a middle potential between a power supply potential and a ground potential in a first mode, and sets the potentials of the first and second connection nodes to the power supply potential in a second mode.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2012Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLCInventors: Nobuhiro Arai, Seiji Takai
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Patent number: 8896273Abstract: Lower order control devices control plural battery cells configuring plural battery modules. An input terminal of the low order control device in the highest potential, an output terminal of the low order control device in the lowest potential, and a high order control device are connected by isolating units, photocouplers. Diodes which prevent a discharge current of the battery cells in the battery modules are disposed between the output terminal of the low order control device and the battery cells in the battery module on the low potential side. Terminals related to input/output of a signal are electrically connected without isolating among the plural low order control devices.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2012Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Shin-Kobe Electric Machinery Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideki Miyazaki, Akihiko Emori, Akihiko Kudo, Tsuyoshi Kai
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Patent number: 8890488Abstract: A power supply apparatus includes a controller. If the controller detects that the internal resistance of a battery detected by an internal resistance detecting unit is relatively high, then the controller switches a first switch from an open state to a closed state using a first threshold value with respect to the voltage difference between a battery voltage and a system voltage, and if the controller detects that the internal resistance of the battery is relatively low, then the controller switches the first switch from the open state to the closed state using a second threshold value which is smaller than the first threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2012Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kaoru Fukui, Tohru Kuribayashi, Taichi Ogawa, Kazuki Takahashi
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Patent number: 8878541Abstract: A battery voltage monitoring circuit includes a first power supply terminal to be connected to the positive terminal of a battery pack having rechargeable cells connected in series; a first supply voltage sensing terminal to be connected to the positive terminal of the battery pack; a first resistor connected between the first power supply terminal and the first supply voltage sensing terminal; a second supply voltage sensing terminal to be connected to the negative terminal of a first rechargeable cell of the rechargeable cells, the first rechargeable cell being on the positive terminal side of the battery pack and connected to the positive terminal of the battery pack; a second resistor connected between the second supply voltage sensing terminal and the first power supply terminal; and a first comparator configured to compare a voltage at the first power supply terminal and a voltage at the first supply voltage sensing terminal.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2011Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akihiro Nishizawa, Takashi Takeda
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Patent number: 8872472Abstract: An inductive charging system for recharging a battery. The system includes a charger circuit and a secondary circuit. The secondary circuit includes a feedback mechanism to provide feedback to the charger circuit through the inductive coupling of the primary coil and the secondary coil. The charger circuit includes a frequency control mechanism for controlling the frequency of the power applied to the primary coil at least partly in response to the feedback from the feedback mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2013Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Access Business Group International LLCInventors: David W. Baarman, John J. Lord, Nathan P. Stien
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Publication number: 20140312855Abstract: The present invention discloses a multi-purpose power management chip and a power path control circuit. The multi-purpose power management chip includes: a switch circuit including at least one power transistor; a switch control circuit for generating a first switch signal to control an operation of the power transistor to thereby control the power conversion between an input terminal and an output terminal; a power path management circuit for controlling the charging operation from the output terminal to the battery; a current source for supplying a current to the battery; and a path selection circuit for determining whether the charging operation to the battery is controlled by the power path management circuit and the current source or not according to whether a power path power transistor is provided on the power path or not.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2013Publication date: October 23, 2014Applicant: RICHTEK TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventor: Nien-Hui Kung
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Publication number: 20140292278Abstract: A charging circuit for an electronic device includes a battery pack for providing a battery voltage; an adaptor coupled to an external voltage source, for providing an input voltage; and a charging module coupled to the adaptor, for charging the battery pack. The charging module includes a buck charging unit for performing buck charging on the battery pack according to a comparison result; and a boost charging unit for performing boost charging on the battery pack according to the comparison result.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2013Publication date: October 2, 2014Inventor: Te-Lung Wu
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Patent number: 8847554Abstract: A battery management system for managing the voltage of a battery cell, such as a lithium ion battery, is disclosed. The battery management system comprises a semiconductor switch coupled to the battery cell, wherein the semiconductor switch is in an on condition when the voltage across the battery cell exceeds a first threshold voltage, and a microprocessor coupled to the semiconductor switch, wherein the microprocessor monitors the voltage across the battery cell when the semiconductor switch is on, and turns itself off when the when the monitored voltage is less than a second threshold voltage, thereby preventing further current drain from the battery cell.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2010Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: K2 Energy Solutions, Inc.Inventor: Tim A. Sunderlin
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Publication number: 20140285133Abstract: A power control device has a voltage-regulator from power source to load, the load configurable to receive power at least at a first or second rate. The device has monitor circuitry to measure power; signal circuitry for signaling a power-reception rate to the load; and circuitry for resetting the load when the power source is overloaded. The device resets the load periodically to the second rate when the load is at the first rate. In embodiments, the power source is a thermoelectric generator or solar panel. In embodiments, the load couples through a USB connector. A companion method of charging smart loads includes applying power to the load; communicating power available to the load; configuring a battery charger in the load to absorb an amount of power less than that available; monitoring power, determining when changed configuration may optimize charging time of a smart load battery; and resetting the smart load to optimize current.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2013Publication date: September 25, 2014Applicant: AltEn, LLCInventors: David Toledo, Paul Slusser
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Publication number: 20140253051Abstract: A system and method are described for charging a battery in a portable electronic device wherein the battery is charged using a constant-current, constant-voltage charging process. In described embodiments, a resistance is received for a current loop that includes a charger and the battery. Then, during a constant-current charging phase, a constant current is output from the charger until an output voltage of the charger reaches a target voltage. The target voltage includes a battery target voltage and a compensation voltage based on the received resistance and a charging current. When the output voltage of the charger reaches the target voltage, the charger switches from the constant-current phase to a constant-voltage phase. Then during the constant-voltage phase, the charger outputs the target voltage until the charging current drops below a minimum value at which time the charging process is complete.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: Yongxuan Hu, Mao Ye, Shimon Elkayam
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Patent number: 8829717Abstract: A battery control device for a battery module includes a plurality of integrated circuits. Each integrated circuit includes: a constant voltage circuit that lowers a total voltage of a battery cell group corresponding to the integrated circuit to an integrated circuit internal voltage; a signal generation circuit that generates, based upon a first signal provided by a higher-order control circuit, a second signal assuming a wave height value different from a wave height value of the first signal and outputs the second signal; and a startup circuit that includes a first comparator assuming a first decision-making threshold value corresponding to the first signal and a second comparator assuming a second decision-making threshold value corresponding to the second signal, and starts up the constant voltage circuit in response to a change in an output from at least either the first comparator or the second comparator.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2011Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd.Inventors: Akihiko Kudo, Mutsumi Kikuchi, Gosuke Shibahara, Akihiko Emori, Yasuo Uemura, Tatsumi Yamauchi, Kenji Kubo, Yoshinori Aoshima
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Patent number: 8797171Abstract: A delayed power-on function for an electronic device is disclosed. A charging unit charges a rechargeable battery with a pre-charge current when a voltage of the rechargeable battery is less than a voltage threshold value and with a current larger than the pre-charge current when the voltage of the rechargeable battery is greater than the voltage threshold value. A disabling unit can disable power-on when the voltage of the rechargeable battery is less than the voltage threshold value. A user may also be notified when power-on is disabled.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2012Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Kyocera CorporationInventors: Tomoaki Yasuda, Yasuhisa Tsubokawa
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Patent number: 8796987Abstract: The electrical vehicle energy storage system permits the electric refueling of the electric vehicle just like an automobile would be refueled with gasoline at a gas station. Circuitry on board the vehicle accessible by the electric refueling station enables the determination of the energy content of the battery module or modules returned to the electric refueling station and the owner of the vehicle is given credit for the energy remaining in the battery module or modules which have been exchanged. Selective refueling may take place for given battery modules by removing them from the battery system and charging them at home, office or factory. A process for operating an electric vehicle is also disclosed and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2011Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Inventor: Karl F. Scheucher
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Patent number: 8791670Abstract: A battery management system includes a power converter, a first switch, a second switch, a first detecting unit, and a CPU. The power converter is configured to divide current provided by the power supply into a first and a second output current, according to a working current of a system load in a normal state, the first output current is used to power the system load, and the second output current is used to charge a battery unit. The CPU is configured to determine whether the value of current detected by the first detecting unit is greater than a threshold value, and further controls turning on the first switch to power the system load using the first output current, and turn on the second switch to charge the battery unit using the second output current.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2011Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Wei Huo, Hui Yin, Bo-Ching Lin, Yan-Ling Geng, Yan Xu, Yong-Yong Li
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Patent number: 8730053Abstract: A battery alarm for use with a battery assembly is provided, the battery alarm including a first activation component, a signaling component, and an output component. The first activation component is configured to activate the alarm upon disengagement of the battery assembly from a battery-operated device and is further configured to deactivate the alarm upon engagement of the battery pack with the battery-operated device. The signaling component is coupled to the first activation component and is configured to transmit a signal when the alarm is activated. The output component is adapted to receive the signal from the signaling component and is configured to produce a visual, audible, and/or tactile output upon receipt of the signal from the signaling component.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2013Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Covidien LPInventor: Sean T. Dycus
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Patent number: 8729865Abstract: A scalable intelligent power-supply system and method capable of powering a defined load for a specified period of time is disclosed and claimed. Multiple external AC and DC inputs supply power to the system if available and required. An internal DC input from a back-up energy source is on board. The back-up energy source is scalable by adding additional energy cartridges such as batteries in racks mounted within frames of the system. The AC and DC inputs (including the internal DC input) are controlled, measured, sensed, and converted by circuitry controlled by the microprocessor into multiple AC and/or DC outputs. A microprocessor manages power input to, within, and output from the system. The performance of a Lithium-ion batteries used to power an automobile can be determined on the basis individual battery packs or individual battery cells within the packs.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2011Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Inventor: Karl F. Scheucher
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Patent number: 8726051Abstract: A computer system includes multiple ports to which at least one external device is connected and which are connectable to multiple power supplying lines branched from a power supplying line for supplying electric power to the at least one external device; a switching unit which controls connections between the power supplying lines and the ports; and a controller which controls the switching unit so that two or more power supplying lines among the power supplying lines are connected to a first port, to which one of the at least one external device is connected, among the ports.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2012Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Byung-goo Choi, Ja-goun Koo
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Patent number: 8698458Abstract: A method of charging a battery pack, the battery pack including at least one battery cell. The method includes comparing a battery cell voltage to a first voltage; comparing the battery cell voltage to a second voltage that is greater than the first voltage; and controlling a current amplifying unit coupled to the at least one battery cell to amplify a current from a charger to the at least one battery cell if the battery cell voltage is between the first voltage and the second voltage.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2011Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventor: Youngu Kim
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Patent number: 8687334Abstract: A controller 43 turns on a semiconductor switch 41 in a normal mode, and turns off the semiconductor switch 41 in a sleep mode. A bypass resistor 5 is connected in parallel to the semiconductor switch 41. A resistance value of the bypass resister 5 is so large as that in the sleep mode, a dark current is supplied to an electronic device 3 via the bypass resistor 5, and if an electric wire downstream of the bypass resistor is short-circuited, an electric current more than a permissive current is prevented from flowing to the electric wire.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventors: Keisuke Ueta, Akinori Maruyama, Yoshihide Nakamura, Yoshinori Ikuta, Hideo Suganuma
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Patent number: 8674663Abstract: A system (1-2) for efficiently transferring harvested vibration energy to a battery (6) includes a piezo harvester (2) generating an AC output voltage (VP(t)) and current (IPZ(t)) and an active rectifier (3) to produce a harvested DC voltage (Vhrv) and current (Ihrv) which charge a capacitance (C0). An enable circuit (17) causes a DC-DC converter (4) to be enabled, thereby discharging the capacitance into the converter, when a comparator (A0,A1) of the rectifier which controls switches (S1-S4) thereof detects a direction reversal of the AC output current (IPZ(t)). Another comparator (13) causes the enable circuit (17) to disable the converter (4) when the DC voltage exceeds a threshold (VREF), thereby causing the capacitance be recharged.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2010Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventor: Vadim V. Ivanov
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Patent number: 8659270Abstract: An overcharge protection device (OPD) is provided that may be used alone, or in combination with conventional charging protection systems, to protect a battery pack from the occurrence of a potentially damaging overcharging event. The OPD is designed to be coupled to, and interposed between, the terminals of the battery pack. During normal system operation, the OPD has no effect on the operation of the charging system or the battery pack. During an overcharging event, if overcharging is not prevented by another conventional system, the OPD of the invention creates a short across the terminals of the battery pack causing a battery pack fuse designed to provide battery pack short circuit protection to blow, thereby interrupting the current path from the charger to the battery pack and preventing the battery pack from being overcharged.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2010Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.Inventors: Weston Arthur Hermann, Scott Ira Kohn, Philip David Cole, Nicholas Robert Kalayjian
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Patent number: 8659269Abstract: A control unit for triggering the personal protection arrangement, including a first semiconductor module that is configured to make available various supply voltages and to charge an energy reserve, and including at least one second semiconductor module that is likewise configured to charge the energy reserve, the first and the second semiconductor module each having a semiconductor support.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2005Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Hartmut Schumacher
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Patent number: 8581608Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for easily detecting an abnormal status of power generation of a solar cell panel in a solar cell power generation system having the power generation of 1 MW or higher. The present invention provides an abnormality detecting apparatus for a solar cell power generation system including a plurality of solar cell strings each having a plurality of solar cell modules connected to each other in series and a backflow preventing diode connected to a power output terminal of each of the solar cell strings, characterized in that the abnormality detecting apparatus further includes measuring means for measuring a current flowing in the backflow preventing diode; and that the measuring means is supplied with electric power from both terminals of the backflow preventing diode.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2009Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Onamba Co., Ltd.Inventors: Osamu Shizuya, Jun Ishida, Hideki Furubayashi, Yukitaka Miyata
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Patent number: 8570001Abstract: An apparatus and a method for charging and for charge monitoring of a rechargeable battery. A charging circuit contains a rechargeable battery (B) and a charging device (L) for charging the rechargeable battery. A measurement device (M) is arranged in the charging circuit and contains a device for determining the rechargeable-battery current and the state of charge of the rechargeable battery. A control device (R) compares a value that is proportional to the rechargeable-battery current with a set value, and controls the charging device.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2005Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: AMS AGInventors: Tobias Bühler, Holger Haiplik
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Patent number: 8558516Abstract: A charge-controlling semiconductor integrated circuit includes a current- controlling MOS transistor which is connected between a voltage input terminal and an output terminal and controls flowing current, a substratum voltage switching circuit connected between the voltage input/output terminal and a substratum to which an input/output voltage is applied, and a voltage comparison circuit to compare the input/output voltage. The charge-controlling semiconductor integrated circuit controls the substratum voltage switching circuit based on an output of the voltage comparison circuit, and the voltage comparison circuit includes an intentional offset in a first potential direction. A level shift circuit to shift the output voltage to a potential direction opposite to the first potential direction is provided in a preceding stage of a first input terminal of the voltage comparison circuit, and the input voltage is input to a second input terminal of the voltage comparison circuit.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2009Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshihiro Takahashi, Daisuke Suzuki, Yoshihiro Motoichi, Gentaro Kurokawa
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Patent number: 8552692Abstract: A charger and discharger for a secondary battery includes a secondary battery coupled to an output stage of the charger and discharger, a first converter circuit including a first pulse voltage generator that outputs a first pulse voltage according to a first duty ratio, and a first inductor that outputs a first current in proportion to a value of an integral of the outputted first pulse voltage with respect to time to a positive electrode terminal of the secondary battery, a second converter circuit including a second pulse voltage generator that outputs a second pulse voltage according to a second duty ratio, and a second inductor that outputs a second current in proportion to a value of an integral of the outputted second pulse voltage with respect to time to a negative electrode terminal of the secondary battery, and first and second controllers controlling the duty ratios of the first and second pulse voltage generators, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2011Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ria Ju, Young-Hak Pyo, Sergey Vasichev, Seung-Hyuck Paek, Sang-Chul Seo
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Patent number: 8541984Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling charging current to a battery of a charging system, performed by a control unit of the charging system. The method includes: (a) detecting that a device is coupled to the charging system and determining what kind of the device the charging system is coupled to; (b) adjusting the charging current to a level according to the coupled device. The charging current is generated by the coupled device.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2008Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Mediatek Inc.Inventors: Chih-Yuan Hsu, Tung-Yi Wang
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Publication number: 20130234676Abstract: An exemplary charge indicator circuit indicates the state of charge of a battery. The charge indicator circuit includes a connection jack, an indicator module, a voltage detection module, a charger IC, and a path connection module. The indicator module includes an indicator. The indicator is on when the battery is being charged. The voltage detection module is to output a first response signal when the connection jack is connected to the power supply. The charger IC is to manage the charging of the battery, and output a low level signal when a condition of the battery is satisfied. The path connection module is in a shunt circuit of the indicator module, and enables the shunt circuit of the indicator module to cause the indicator to be on when the voltage detection module outputs the first response signal and the charger IC outputs the low level signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2012Publication date: September 12, 2013Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.Inventors: HAI-LONG CHENG, TAO WANG, XUE-BING DENG, XIAO-HUI MA, XIN-PING LI, YONG-SONG SHI
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Publication number: 20130234675Abstract: An apparatus for transferring energy using onboard power electronics comprises a first energy storage device configured to output a DC voltage and a DC bus coupled to the first energy storage device, the DC bus coupleable to a high-impedance voltage source. The apparatus also comprises a braking resistor coupled to the DC bus and to a control circuit, and a controller. The controller is configured to control the control circuit to cause on the DC bus to be dissipated through the braking resistor during a regenerative braking event, cause the first energy storage device to receive a charging energy from the high-impedance voltage source through the braking resistor during a charging event, and after a threshold value has been crossed, cause the first energy storage device to receive the charging energy from the high-impedance voltage source bypassing the braking resistor during the charging event.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2012Publication date: September 12, 2013Inventors: Robert Dean King, Robert Louis Steigerwald
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Patent number: 8525486Abstract: A power conversion controller includes: a correction-value calculating unit that calculates a correction value DE2 to correct a voltage value BEFC from a voltage signal BEFC that is obtained by converting the voltage value BEFC detected by a first voltage detector into a digital signal by an A/D converter and from a series-total voltage value EBAT detected by a second voltage detector; a corrected-voltage calculating unit that calculates a voltage signal BEFC1 as a corrected voltage value that is obtained by correcting the voltage value BEFC by the correction value DE2; and a gate controller that controls a power converting unit based on the voltage signal BEFC1.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2008Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventor: Hidetoshi Kitanaka
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Patent number: 8513923Abstract: The present invention provides a battery charging control circuit to charge batteries in phases. In a first charging phase the charging circuit charges the batteries with a large current and at a second charging phase the charging circuit charges the batteries with a much smaller current. The charging circuit includes a current detection circuit which detects a charge current and provides a detection voltage proportional to the charge current. The battery charging control circuit also includes an amplifier circuit to amplify the detection voltage and a comparison module compares the amplified detection voltage with a reference voltage. If the amplified detection voltage is lower than the reference voltage, the comparison module outputs a switch signal to a control module. The control module controls a charging module to charge the battery in a trickle mode when receiving the switch signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2008Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Han-Che Wang, Xin Zhao, Hong-Sheng Ouyang, Xiao-Guang Li, Shin-Hong Chung
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Publication number: 20130200858Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes: a judging section configured to judge whether a current time is in a time slot during which charging of a battery is prohibited and which is set so as to be different from a peak shift time slot; a calculating section configured to calculate an average power consumption while the electronic apparatus is powered on if the judging section judges that the current time is in the battery charging prohibition time slot; a detecting section configured to detect whether the electronic apparatus is in a power-off state or a sleep state; and a charging control section configured to control charging of the battery so that the charging is performed with power that is lower than the calculated average power consumption if the detecting section detects that the electronic apparatus is in a power-off state or a sleep state.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2012Publication date: August 8, 2013Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventor: Kazuhiko TSUJI