Patents Examined by Arun C Williams
  • Patent number: 11139509
    Abstract: A method, and associated batteries and battery charging units, that involve inducing electric and/or magnetic fields (field-induced current) across an electrode of a electrochemical cell, such as an anode of a battery. The field and current across the electrode may be referred to herein as a transverse current as this current is typically transverse to the ionic charge current that may be applied when charging a battery. The field and current may be induced from connecting AC energy, e.g., AC current, across the electrode or at a discrete point or points of the electrode. The induced field and current may suppress dendrite growth, experienced in conventional batteries without AC energy, among other advantages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Iontra LLC
    Inventors: Daniel A. Konopka, Reuben Sarkar
  • Patent number: 11135931
    Abstract: A mobile fuel cell system includes a fuel cell generator generating a stack output signal. Multiple boost converter circuits converting the stack output signal into multiple recharge signals while in a first mode. A boost converter circuit converting the stack output signal into a local signal while in a second mode. Multiple charging handles connectable to multiple electric vehicles. A switch circuit presenting the recharge signals to the charging handles, remove the recharge signals from the charging handles and present the local signal while in the second mode. An auxiliary load may be connected to the fuel cell generator and the switch circuit. A rechargeable energy storage circuit powers the auxiliary load while in the first mode and stores energy received in the local signal while in the second mode. The auxiliary load is powered with the local signal while in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan B. Martin, Matthew C. Kirklin, Margarita M. Mann, William H. Pettit, Charles E. Freese, V
  • Patent number: 11133688
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to charge electric vehicles are disclosed. An example method includes receiving, at a processor, a request for a mobile charging unit to meet an electric vehicle to provide a battery charge to the electric vehicle. The request is generated by the electric vehicle when a ratio of a remaining trip distance of the electric vehicle to a remaining expected range of the electric vehicle exceeds a threshold. The example method further includes identifying, via the processor, a location for the battery charge based on input from a user of the electric vehicle regarding a plurality of possible locations for the battery charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Mark Schaffer, Kenneth James Miller
  • Patent number: 11133695
    Abstract: It is possible to prevent user's convenience from decreasing during charging. A control device includes a current level adjusting section that adjusts, in accordance with temperatures detected at a plurality of locations in a mobile terminal, output current levels of output currents to be outputted from respective plurality of charging circuits, i.e. first to fourth charging circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuhtaroh Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 11128165
    Abstract: A system includes a behind-the-meter vehicle charging station. The vehicle charging station includes a vehicle-charging interface configured to supply the vehicle-charging power to a vehicle. The vehicle charging station further includes a communication unit configured to trigger a notification in response to a change in power availability. Additionally, the system includes a control system configured to modulate power delivery to the behind-the-meter charging station based on one or more monitored power system conditions or an operational directive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: LANCIUM LLC
    Inventors: Michael T. McNamara, David J. Henson, Raymond E. Cline, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11117491
    Abstract: During running of an electric vehicle, a battery temperature control section performs preliminary temperature adjustment processing so that a temperature of the battery at a point of time of arrival at a reachable charging station is within a suitable charging temperature range. When the preliminary temperature adjustment processing is performed, a running control section performs processing for maintaining a remaining capacity securing condition that an estimated remaining capacity is equal to or exceeds a remaining capacity criterion value, the estimated remaining capacity resulting from subtraction of an estimated running electricity amount and an estimated temperature control electricity amount from a remaining capacity of the battery at a current point of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenta Fukami, Atsushi Sakurai
  • Patent number: 11121568
    Abstract: A selectable charging cable which may have a switch configured to permissively control the transmission of an electrical current between two internet connected, or electronically powered, devices. The switch may be connected to a connection member. The connection member may traverse into a retraction cavity inside of a casing and be optionally connected to a power prong, a data prong, or both. The power prong and the data prong may each have connector pins divided between them. The connector pins for the data prong may be used exclusively for data and the connector pins for the power prong may be used exclusively for power. The switch, being reversibly configurable between a retracted position and an unretracted position, may result in either the data prong, the power prong, or both prongs being incapable of connecting with an internet connected device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Inventors: Patrick Kealy, Rodney Houriani
  • Patent number: 11108283
    Abstract: A device for the inductive recharging of an electronic element of the mobile-phone or digital tablet type having at least one receiving antenna. The device having an exterior face intended to support the electronic element, a stage of planar shape being able to move inside the device and bearing at least one emitting antenna intended to be aligned with, and in close proximity to, the at least one receiving antenna, the mobile stage being actuated by a motorized actuating mechanism. The actuating mechanism includes a single motor coupled to a main drive element that renders the stage mobile in a plane parallel to the exterior face of the device, the main drive element being circular in shape, and the motor meshing with a periphery of the main drive element and driving the main drive element in rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Inventors: Vincent Lubert, Frédéric Ducos
  • Patent number: 11089816
    Abstract: A power supply unit of an aerosol generation apparatus includes: a power supply capable of discharging to a load for generating an aerosol from an aerosol source; a controller configured to control the power supply; a housing configured to house the power supply and the controller; and a plurality of sensors capable of outputting the same physical quantity inside the housing. The controller is configured to diagnose a state of the power supply unit based on outputs of the plurality of sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Kazuma Mizuguchi, Manabu Yamada, Ryoji Fujita, Hajime Fujita
  • Patent number: 11095143
    Abstract: A battery control unit includes an estimation device, a setting device, and a control device. When an open circuit voltage of the battery falls within a range of a flat region, the setting device sets the control storage amount to a first storage amount determined from the lower limit voltage of the flat region, the control device charges the battery until the open circuit voltage becomes a first voltage exceeding the upper limit voltage of the flat region after a vehicle comes into a drivable state, and the setting device sets a storage amount estimated by the estimation device to a control storage amount until the open circuit voltage reaches the first voltage, and sets a second storage amount determined from the open circuit voltage to the control storage amount after the open circuit voltage reaches the first voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takayuki Akaishi
  • Patent number: 11095163
    Abstract: A non-contact power reception apparatus is provided, in which a power reception coil for a charging system and a loop antenna for an electronic settlement system are mounted on a battery pack and a cover case of a portable terminal such that the power reception coil is arranged in the center thereof and the loop antenna is disposed outside the power reception coil, so that a mode of receiving a wireless power signal and a mode of transmitting and receiving data are selectively performed, thereby preventing interference from harmonic components and enabling non-contact charging and electronic settlement using a single portable terminal. A jig for fabricating a core to be mounted to the non-contact power reception apparatus is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: GE Hybrid Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chun-Kil Jung, Yoon-Sang Kuk
  • Patent number: 11088402
    Abstract: Methods, systems and battery modules are provided, which increase the cycling lifetime of fast charging lithium ion batteries. During the formation process, the charging currents are adjusted to optimize the cell formation, possibly according to the characteristics of the formation process itself, and discharge extents are partial and optimized as well, as is the overall structure of the formation process. During operation, voltage ranges are initially set to be narrow, and are broadened upon battery deterioration to maximize the overall lifetime. Current adjustments are applied in operation as well, with respect to the deteriorating capacity of the battery. Various formation and operation strategies are disclosed, as basis for specific optimizations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Storedot Ltd.
    Inventors: Leonid Krasovitsky, Vladimir Seleznyov, Daniel Aronov, Assaf Grunwald
  • Patent number: 11084365
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cloud storage-based battery swap system for an electric vehicle, which is intended to solve the problems of the existing electric vehicles, such as inconvenient use of an energy supply system, and excessive individual difference and excessive cost of a battery pack. The system comprises: a battery pack information storage apparatus for storing battery pack information of an electric vehicle; a battery pack allocation station for storing battery packs and charging the battery packs; and a battery swap station for replacing a battery pack for the electric vehicle, and communicating with the battery pack information storage apparatus to transmit the battery pack information to the battery pack information storage apparatus. In addition, a battery management system for the battery pack is disposed on the electric vehicle outside the battery pack. Also disclosed is a method for the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: NIO (ANHUI) HOLDING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fei Chen, Shijing Li, Xiaojia Deng
  • Patent number: 11081735
    Abstract: A method of charging a battery including a plurality of cells, the method including charging the plurality of cells at a plurality of C-rates, respectively; calculating a voltage change of each of the plurality of cells and a slope of the voltage change of each of the plurality of cells; and performing discharging multiple times in a section where a deviation between the slopes of the voltage changes of the plurality of cells is equal to or larger than a predetermined reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Jiyoung Park, Pil Kyu Park, Kwi Sub Yun, So Ra Lee
  • Patent number: 11081836
    Abstract: Methods and devices for wired charging and communication with a wearable device are described. In one embodiment, a symmetrical contact interface comprises a first contact pad and a second contact pad, and particular wired circuitry is coupled to the first and second contact pad to enable charging as well as receive and transmit communications via the contact pads as part of various device states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventors: Russell Douglas Patton, Jonathan M Rodriguez, II, Stephen Andrew Steger
  • Patent number: 11072254
    Abstract: This application is directed to an apparatus for providing electrical charge to a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a driven mass, a generator, a charger, a hardware controller, and a communication circuit. The driven mass rotates in response to a kinetic energy of the vehicle and is coupled to a shaft such that rotation of the driven mass causes the shaft to rotate. The driven mass exists in one of (1) an extended position and (2) a retracted position. The generator generates an electrical output based on a mechanical input coupled to the shaft such that rotation of the shaft causes the mechanical input to rotate. The charger is electrically coupled to the generator and: receives the electrical output, generates a charge output based on the electrical output, and conveys the charge output to the vehicle. The controller controls whether the driven mass is in the extended position or the retracted position in response to a signal received from the communication circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Inventor: Anthony Macaluso
  • Patent number: 11075534
    Abstract: A interface circuit includes: a power supply circuit, configured to output a DC voltage; a voltage conversion circuit, configured to convert the DC voltage to a target voltage, wherein the voltage conversion circuit is a step-down conversion circuit; a first Type-C port and a second Type-C port, configured to be connected to the respective loads; a switch circuit, connected to the power supply circuit, the voltage conversion circuit, the first Type-C port and the second Type-C port respectively; and a USB controller, configured to communicate with the first Type-C port and the second Type-C port respectively, and regulate the DC voltage and the target voltage according to supply voltages of the loads connected to the first Type-C port and the second Type-C port, and control the switch circuit to apply the DC voltage or the target voltage to a Type-C port connected to a corresponding load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: HYNETEK SEMICONDUCTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yingyang Ou
  • Patent number: 11075539
    Abstract: An alternator control device includes a battery state determination unit determining whether the state of a battery is a predetermined normal state, a vehicle speed determination unit determining whether the speed of a vehicle is within a predetermined low speed range, a position determination unit determining whether the position of the vehicle meets a predetermined positional condition, and an output voltage instruction unit gives an instruction relating to the output voltage of the alternator. The output voltage instruction unit gives an instruction to increase the output voltage of the alternator to a voltage that is greater than a reference voltage, if it is determined that the state of the battery is not the predetermined normal state, if it is determined that the speed of the vehicle is within the predetermined low speed range, and if it is determined that the position of the vehicle meets the positional condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignees: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Kontani
  • Patent number: 11070070
    Abstract: A charging cable is configured to rotate freely while attached to a cable plug on a chargeable device. The plug has contact pads separated by an insulator, and the matching cable head has pins for contacting the pads of the plug. There may be a ‘deadzone’ position where one or more pins of the cable head rest of the separator and do not make contact with the charge pads on the cable plug. The examples include pins in the cable head for redundant charging paths that are complimentary such that only one of the power paths will be on at any given time. When the cable enters a position where one of its power paths is resting on the “deadzone”, circuitry in the cable will over to the second power path which will be capable of providing power to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Snap Inc.
    Inventor: Shaheen Moubedi
  • Patent number: 11052774
    Abstract: A rail transit braking energy recovery system. The rail transit braking energy recovery system comprises a braking motor, a fuel battery, an electrolytic bath, and a hydrogen tank. The braking motor is used for converting braking energy of the rail transit into electric energy. An output end of the braking motor is connected to a power input end of the electrolytic bath. The electrolytic bath comprises a hydrogen output end and an oxygen output end, the hydrogen output end is connected to the hydrogen tank, and the hydrogen tank is connected to the fuel battery and is used for supplying hydrogen to the fuel battery. In the system, only the electrolytic bath is structurally added, and the existing vehicle-mounted hydrogen tank is directly used for storing hydrogen, therefore the structure is simple, the self weight of the vehicle body is reduced, the energy conversion efficiency is high, and at the same time, the injection of hydrogen is reduced and the operation cost is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: CRRC QINGDAO SIFANG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xu Zhang, Jianying Liang, Xiaojun Deng, Kelei Li, Wenchao Zhang, Yankun Li